Provost Albert DeCiccio and Professors Barry Flanary, Tammy Kenny, and Linda Lippacher Author Article in New England Journal

October 28, 2011

The following is an abstract for an article published October 26 by the online journal for the New England Board of Higher Education. The article was written by Provost Albert DeCiccio, Professors Tammy Kenny, Linda Lippacher and Barry Flanary of Southern Vermont College. For a copy of the full article, please see Provost DeCiccio.

Gateway to Healthcare Careers for Vulnerable Students:

A New Approach to the Teaching of Anatomy and Physiology

Abstract. Many first-year students interested in healthcare careers do not succeed in Anatomy and Physiology I (A&PI), which they take in their first semester.  These first-year students withdraw from the course or the institution, or their final grade may be below the identified threshold for progressing in their programs. A&PI has become a gatekeeper course, preventing students from entering careers where they are sorely needed.  Southern Vermont College (SVC) launched a pilot A&PI course designed for vulnerable first-year students. SVC identified first-year students deemed academically at risk, and they were offered an opportunity to enroll in a re-envisioned A&PI course that was stretched over two semesters. There have been positive trend indicators on all the major items being measured and, importantly, some positive, unintended benefits. The authors are grateful to Southern Vermont College President, Karen Gross; her genuine commitment to ensuring that vulnerable students progress to and through college has inspired the entire campus community; to Executive Assistant, Colleen Little, for assistance with data and charts; and to the Southern Vermont College Success Center, especially Sylvia Jimison and Kitty Farnham, as well as our registrar, Jim Frederick, for the data they provided regarding our TRiO and first-generation students. We are also thankful for the expertise provided by the physicians that took part in the Pilot project: Drs. Nancy Scattergood, James FitzGerald, Michael Gelfand, and Robert Pezzulich.