Designing for Transformation at Harper College
A Case Study of Guided Pathways Implementation
Authors: Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
Publication Date: 2022
Format: PDF
Lay the GroundworkStart the ProcessAct with PurposeSustain and Evolve
Advising ReformOther Holistic Supports
Catalytic LeadershipStrategic Data UseStrategic FinanceOther Capacities
Core StaffFacultyMid-Level LeadersSenior Leaders
Two-Year College
This case study highlights how Harper College advanced equity-centered transformation by customizing the national Guided Pathways model to better serve a transfer-focused student population. Over five years, the college implemented flexible “areas of interest,” integrated reforms into strategic planning and budgeting, built strong cross-functional teams, and developed advisor-level data tools to track and support student progress. Institutions will find practical examples of how to embed reform into daily operations through shared leadership, student-centered design, and continuous improvement.
Connections to the Transformation Journey
and How Institutions Transform
Stages of Transformation
Lay the GroundworkStart the ProcessAct with PurposeSustain and Evolve
- Lay the Groundwork: This case study illustrates how Harper College grounded its reform in a six-phase strategic planning process, using student and labor market data to identify priorities and engage stakeholders across the institution.
- Start the Process: Early efforts at Harper College focused on building shared understanding of the new “areas of interest” model through college-wide communication, onboarding, and campaign-style engagement.
- Act with Purpose: Cross-functional “area of interest” teams implemented degree planning platforms and advising routines that helped students stay on track and explore transfer-aligned options.
- Sustain and Evolve: Reforms were institutionalized through advisor-level KPIs, strategic budgeting, and integration of performance metrics into board and leadership decision-making.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Evidence-Based Practices
Advising ReformOther Holistic Supports
- Advising Reform: This case study showcases how Harper College transitioned from a counselor-based system to a proactive case management model, supported by integrated technology, real-time student data, and targeted outreach.
- Holistic Supports: Wraparound student support were also aligned across academic and student affairs, ensuring students had access to wellness, financial, and academic services throughout their experience.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Core Institutional Capacities
Catalytic LeadershipStrategic Data UseStrategic FinanceOther Capacities
- Catalytic Leadership: This case study provides examples for how senior leaders tied Guided Pathways to strategic priorities and empowered faculty chairs, advisors, and deans to lead through structured, shared governance processes.
- Strategic Data Use: Student-level dashboards and advisor engagement metrics were used to evaluate progress, inform strategy, and communicate value to trustees and stakeholders.
- Strategic Finance: The college reallocated core funds to sustain new advising positions, reducing reliance on grant dollars and reinforcing long-term commitment to transformation.
- Other Capacities: Transformation was driven by cross-functional teams that bridged silos, translated vision into practice, and cultivated a shared culture of flexibility and accountability.
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 examples for how senior leaders can integrate transformation goals into strategy and budget, monitor progress, and reinforce reform priorities during leadership transitions.
- Mid-Level Leaders: Managed team coordination helped translate strategy into operational practice and ensured momentum through faculty-advisor partnerships.
- Core Staff & Faculty: Institutional researchers, faculty, and advisors co-led planning, applied data, and shaped interventions tied to student progression.
- Frontline Staff: Advisors used degree maps and early alert tools to engage students, promote re-enrollment, and help guide completion planning.
This resource connects to the following phase(s) of the PRPAM framework:
- Prepare: Harper college began with data-informed strategic planning, setting institutional goals around completion, transfer, and student equity.
- Reflect: Input from students and staff helped refine the “areas of interest” structure and clarify where added support was needed.
- Act: New advising models, degree planning platforms, and advisor outreach routines were launched and scaled across teams.
- Monitor: Progress was tracked using KPIs disaggregated by advisor and student group, with findings embedded in planning and leadership routines.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Stages of Transformation
Lay the GroundworkStart the ProcessAct with PurposeSustain and Evolve
- Lay the Groundwork: This case study illustrates how Harper College grounded its reform in a six-phase strategic planning process, using student and labor market data to identify priorities and engage stakeholders across the institution.
- Start the Process: Early efforts at Harper College focused on building shared understanding of the new “areas of interest” model through college-wide communication, onboarding, and campaign-style engagement.
- Act with Purpose: Cross-functional “area of interest” teams implemented degree planning platforms and advising routines that helped students stay on track and explore transfer-aligned options.
- Sustain and Evolve: Reforms were institutionalized through advisor-level KPIs, strategic budgeting, and integration of performance metrics into board and leadership decision-making.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Evidence-Based Practices
Advising ReformOther Holistic Supports
- Advising Reform: This case study showcases how Harper College transitioned from a counselor-based system to a proactive case management model, supported by integrated technology, real-time student data, and targeted outreach.
- Holistic Supports: Wraparound student support were also aligned across academic and student affairs, ensuring students had access to wellness, financial, and academic services throughout their experience.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Core Institutional Capacities
Catalytic LeadershipStrategic Data UseStrategic FinanceOther Capacities
- Catalytic Leadership: This case study provides examples for how senior leaders tied Guided Pathways to strategic priorities and empowered faculty chairs, advisors, and deans to lead through structured, shared governance processes.
- Strategic Data Use: Student-level dashboards and advisor engagement metrics were used to evaluate progress, inform strategy, and communicate value to trustees and stakeholders.
- Strategic Finance: The college reallocated core funds to sustain new advising positions, reducing reliance on grant dollars and reinforcing long-term commitment to transformation.
- Other Capacities: Transformation was driven by cross-functional teams that bridged silos, translated vision into practice, and cultivated a shared culture of flexibility and accountability.
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 examples for how senior leaders can integrate transformation goals into strategy and budget, monitor progress, and reinforce reform priorities during leadership transitions.
- Mid-Level Leaders: Managed team coordination helped translate strategy into operational practice and ensured momentum through faculty-advisor partnerships.
- Core Staff & Faculty: Institutional researchers, faculty, and advisors co-led planning, applied data, and shaped interventions tied to student progression.
- Frontline Staff: Advisors used degree maps and early alert tools to engage students, promote re-enrollment, and help guide completion planning.
This resource connects to the following phase(s) of the PRPAM framework:
- Prepare: Harper college began with data-informed strategic planning, setting institutional goals around completion, transfer, and student equity.
- Reflect: Input from students and staff helped refine the “areas of interest” structure and clarify where added support was needed.
- Act: New advising models, degree planning platforms, and advisor outreach routines were launched and scaled across teams.
- Monitor: Progress was tracked using KPIs disaggregated by advisor and student group, with findings embedded in planning and leadership routines.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Recommended Citation: Larkin, A. (2022). Designing for Transformation: Insights from Frontier Set Institutions – Harper College Case Study. Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.
