Why are almost all college courses in the United States taught in a fall or spring semester and offered in a 16-week format?
This is the question that Odessa College President Gregory D. Williams addressed and presented new perspectives on in his recent article for The EvoLLLution, an online newspaper dedicated to non-traditional higher education.
The complete article can be found at https://evolllution.com/attracting-students/accessibility/creating-semester-flexibility-for-the-modern-learner/.
The question came out of a discussion between Williams and a faculty leader about new strategies and techniques to better serve Odessa College students.
By changing from the traditional 16-week semester to two eight-week terms and allowing students to take two classes per eight-week term, OC enabled students to complete two courses per term and bank their successful course completions every eight weeks instead of having to wait four months to complete their courses. These changes were a game changer for the college and improved enrollment, student success and program completion.
Williams said when they brought forward the idea of eight-week terms, the college was prepared because of its culture of innovation and its willingness “to color outside the lines.”
“We know that ideas and innovations fuel our institution and our efforts to improve,” Williams said, “… we worked and continue to work with the mindset that we must do more to improve all aspects of our operations.”
Williams added that the Odessa College team takes pride in its students’ successes. “Student success is our driver, our goal, our North Star.”
For its team, Williams said they hire individuals who look for opportunities to improve, grow, and enhance OC’s philosophy and systems — team members who are always thinking about how they can come forward with the next big thing, the next great idea.
The newspaper is the brainchild of Modern Campus, a company that enables postsecondary institutions to deliver world-class customer service, grow enrollments and capture new markets while increasing operational efficiency.
