Tracking Pathways to Success A Continuation Study Naomi Boyer 999 Avenue. H. NE Winter Haven, FL 33881 863.298.6854 863.287.1053 Fax nboyer@polk.edu Peter Usinger Address (same as above) pusinger@polk.edu 863.297.1009 Dr. Naomi R. Boyer currently works as the Associate Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives at Polk State College with a focus on developing and implementing a strategic plan for distance learning, facilitating the K-12 partnerships and STEM program initiation, oversight of international initiatives, and recommending academic programs for the College. Mr. Peter Usinger is Polk State College’s Director of Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Planning. Coming from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin, he joined the Motivational Research Group of the University of Rochester in 1989, and Public/Private Ventures, a leading social policy think-tank, in 1993. Abstract: This explorative study supports strategic planning efforts, with a focus on student self- direction, to improve the success of its distance education programming, to moderate the gap in failure and withdrawal rates between course delivery formats, and to provide tailored support mechanisms to the diverse student population the College serves.