Designing for Transformation at Lorain County Community College
A Case Study for Guided Pathways Imeplementation
Publication Date: 2022
Format: PDF
This case study explores how Lorain County Community College (LCCC), a national leader in student success, advanced equity-centered transformation through its involvement in the Frontier Set. The report details how LCCC operationalized its commitment to equity by building strong data infrastructure, empowering cross-functional teams, and aligning institutional strategies with student needs. By embedding continuous improvement and prioritizing belonging and coordinated care, the college moved from isolated reforms to a systemic redesign of the student experience. For institutions seeking to design scalable and student-centered systems, the case provides practical lessons on aligning infrastructure, culture, and equity commitments. *Note: The title of this resource was adjusted from the PDF Title to improve searchability within our database and provide clearer guidance on its contents.
Connections to the Transformation Journey
and How Institutions Transform
Stages of Transformation
- Sharpen the Focus: LCCC used disaggregated student data, equity-centered inquiry, and structured reflection to assess systemic barriers and refine institutional goals. For example, campus teams examined gateway course data and student feedback to identify where interventions were needed most.
- Act with Purpose: The case study is especially valuable for colleges in the implementation phase. It documents how LCCC operationalized its student success priorities by aligning reform efforts, building performance dashboards, and using data to guide cross-functional action and accountability.
- Sustain and Evolve: LCCC embedded continuous improvement into its daily operations. The case details how professional learning, real-time data systems, and cross-functional planning cycles helped the institution scale reforms and sustain momentum over time.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Evidence-Based Practices
- Advising Reform: This case study illustrates how LCCC redesigned advising as a proactive, equity-aligned system. Advisors were equipped to guide students through clearly mapped pathways, informed by real-time data and collaborative planning across departments.
- Other Holistic Supports: LCCC expanded academic, financial, and co-curricular services, integrating them into a wraparound care model. Supports were strategically aligned around key momentum points to promote belonging, persistence, and timely completion.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Core Institutional Capacities
- Catalytic Leadership: This case study underscores how leaders at multiple levels played a visible role in guiding transformation. Executive leadership communicated a clear vision and created the conditions for collaboration, while mid-level leaders helped teams navigate complexity and align efforts with equity priorities.
- Strategic Data Use: LCCC built a robust data infrastructure, including user-friendly dashboards and regular performance check-ins, used to inform decision-making and build a culture of transparency and learning across roles.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Continuous Improvement
This resource is most relevant to the following cross-functional roles:
- Senior Leaders: This case study provides actionable insights on how executive leaders can align vision, policy, and performance routines to embed equity into transformation strategy.
- Mid-Level Leaders: Academic and operational leaders played a central role in coordinating implementation, facilitating team reflection, and managing reform cycles.
- Core Staff & Faculty: Institutional researchers, advisors, and faculty led the daily work of transformation. The case highlights their role in interpreting data, coordinating student supports, and sustaining institutional learning.
This resource connects to the following phase(s) of the PRPAM framework:
- Reflect: Teams used disaggregated data and stakeholder feedback to identify equity gaps and assess readiness for change.
- Act: Institutional priorities were translated into reform strategies using aligned structures, clear metrics, and team-based execution.
- Monitor: Performance dashboards and routine data reviews allowed teams to track implementation, adapt strategies, and maintain focus on results.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Stages of Transformation
- Sharpen the Focus: LCCC used disaggregated student data, equity-centered inquiry, and structured reflection to assess systemic barriers and refine institutional goals. For example, campus teams examined gateway course data and student feedback to identify where interventions were needed most.
- Act with Purpose: The case study is especially valuable for colleges in the implementation phase. It documents how LCCC operationalized its student success priorities by aligning reform efforts, building performance dashboards, and using data to guide cross-functional action and accountability.
- Sustain and Evolve: LCCC embedded continuous improvement into its daily operations. The case details how professional learning, real-time data systems, and cross-functional planning cycles helped the institution scale reforms and sustain momentum over time.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Evidence-Based Practices
- Advising Reform: This case study illustrates how LCCC redesigned advising as a proactive, equity-aligned system. Advisors were equipped to guide students through clearly mapped pathways, informed by real-time data and collaborative planning across departments.
- Other Holistic Supports: LCCC expanded academic, financial, and co-curricular services, integrating them into a wraparound care model. Supports were strategically aligned around key momentum points to promote belonging, persistence, and timely completion.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Core Institutional Capacities
- Catalytic Leadership: This case study underscores how leaders at multiple levels played a visible role in guiding transformation. Executive leadership communicated a clear vision and created the conditions for collaboration, while mid-level leaders helped teams navigate complexity and align efforts with equity priorities.
- Strategic Data Use: LCCC built a robust data infrastructure, including user-friendly dashboards and regular performance check-ins, used to inform decision-making and build a culture of transparency and learning across roles.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Continuous Improvement
This resource is most relevant to the following cross-functional roles:
- Senior Leaders: This case study provides actionable insights on how executive leaders can align vision, policy, and performance routines to embed equity into transformation strategy.
- Mid-Level Leaders: Academic and operational leaders played a central role in coordinating implementation, facilitating team reflection, and managing reform cycles.
- Core Staff & Faculty: Institutional researchers, advisors, and faculty led the daily work of transformation. The case highlights their role in interpreting data, coordinating student supports, and sustaining institutional learning.
This resource connects to the following phase(s) of the PRPAM framework:
- Reflect: Teams used disaggregated data and stakeholder feedback to identify equity gaps and assess readiness for change.
- Act: Institutional priorities were translated into reform strategies using aligned structures, clear metrics, and team-based execution.
- Monitor: Performance dashboards and routine data reviews allowed teams to track implementation, adapt strategies, and maintain focus on results.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Recommended Citation: Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. (2022). Centering Student Success in Practice: Lorain County Community College’s Equity-Driven Approach to Institutional Transformation.
