Grayson College Chosen to Pilot Statewide Course Sharing Program
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) launched a statewide Course Sharing pilot this fall. The pilot aims to increase access to online courses for students enrolled in Texas institutions of higher education, as recommended in the Texas Commission on Community College Finance Report to the 88th Legislature. The passing of House Bill 8 provides a path for programs like course sharing to:
- expand inter-institutional collaboration
- increase institutional partnerships and shared services
- reduce costs and improve operational efficiency
“Grayson College is excited to be a partner with the Course Sharing pilot program,” Grayson College President Dr. Jeremy McMillen said. “Finding unique ways to meet our students’ needs allows us to better serve them and Texoma. I am grateful for the GC team who has worked for almost a year to bring this project to fruition.”
Course Sharing Partnership Program Background
In spring 2023, THECB recruited ten institutional partners to provide valuable insight into developing a statewide course sharing program. Grayson College was selected as one of the pilot institutions to participate. Pilot institutions include varying enrollment sizes representing regions from across the state, with prioritization given to institutions that currently serve on one or multiple statewide leadership bodies that are familiar with course sharing operations and its impact, including the Community College Finance Commission, Texas Association of Community Colleges Executive Committee and the THECB Learning Technology Advisory Committee. Over the summer, representatives from the pilot institutions met regularly to serve as members of the course sharing advisory group and subgroups of key stakeholders from areas including advising, registrar, information technology, digital learning, financial aid, institutional effectiveness, instructional administration, student success, student support services and marketing. Together these partners provided input into the development of course sharing processes and protocols, identified potential barriers to implementation and outlined strategic solutions to address those barriers.
Access to a Course Sharing Technology Platform
The program provides access to co-registration vendor platform, Parchment, funded by THECB. The technology facilitates the management of the technical, administrative and financial elements required for co-registration and financial services. The course sharing platform integrates into existing enterprise systems to automate the co-registration and payment processes between institutions.
Course Sharing Launch
Course sharing or course exchange is a collaborative, cross-institutional model which allows students at one institution to cross-register in online courses at another institution. Institutions typically participate in a consortium model and serve as a home institution (where the student is fully enrolled) and/or a teaching institution (where the course is taught).
Course sharing benefits students by facilitating access to courses needed for degree completion, degree progression or specialized credential programs not available at the home institution. Institutions benefit from course sharing through increased enrollment, streamlined degree/certificate completion, access to supplemental and expert faculty support and collaborative, innovative credential development opportunities.
Home Institution
Grayson College will serve as a home institution. Students will work with their Success Coach to determine course needs (for degree progression or degree completion) and registration through the statewide course sharing exchange.
“This program allows Texas Community Colleges to strategically work together in ensuring students have access to the classes they need, when they need them. Keeping students on track to credential completion is our priority” Vice President of Instruction Dr. Dava Washburn said.