Texas A&M University

College of Liberal Arts presents:

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Tabitha Foreman; tforeman@tamu.edu

Julia Jakab; jakab@tamu.edu

Shedrick Johnson; shedjohnson@tamu.edu

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Programs Office (UPO) advising team: (L to R) Shedrick Johnson, Tabitha Foreman, Director of Advising Andy Armstrong, College Recruiter Patty Muchow, and a blue-haired Julia Jakab (w/ Dr. Ann L. Kenimer, Dr. Kenimer, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies)

UPO was recently awarded Texas A&M’s University Advisors and Counselors 2015 “Advising Team Award”

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts statistics:

6700+ undergraduate students

25 baccalaureate degrees

12 departments

4-year graduation rate: 67% (the highest of any college at Texas A&M)

and…

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

48% of our undergraduate population consists of transfer students!

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Why first semester programming?• Combat “transfer shock” to campus culture

• Address previous lack of outreach to first semester transfer students

• Increase student success, retention and graduation

• Opportunity to create assessment plan for programming

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Transfer students report, among other things, a need for more:

• transfer-centered orientation programs

• knowledge of campus resources

• support services

(Eggleston and Laanan, 2001)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Developing key intervention strategies will provide transfer students with their best

chance of minimizing transfer shock.

(Hills, 1965)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

What we do

• Dean’s Meeting at 2-day New Student Conference (prior to start of term)

• New Student Welcome (second week of class)

• TRAC (Transfer Resource and Academic Connection) Fair (fourth week of class)

• Mid-Semester Seminar (week after mid-terms)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Brief Timeline

summer 2012 – present:

various first semester programming offered each semester

We are going to walk you through each of those semesters; what we did and what our data shows

But first….

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Fall 2011

507 first semester transfer students enrolled

At the end of the semester:

438 students had finished the semester ≥2.0 GPA (84.5%)

54 students were placed on probation (10.6%)

25 students were dismissed (4.9%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Fall 2012

627 first semester transfer students enrolled

At the end of the semester:

539 students had finished the semester ≥2.0 GPA (86.0%)

56 students were placed on probation (8.9%)

28 students were dismissed (4.5%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Q: So what did we do for those transfer students starting in Fall 2012 that led to

slightly higher success rates?

A: A new and improved NSC Dean’s Meeting & the Transfer Resource and Academic

Connection (TRAC) Fair

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

NSC Dean’s Meeting (starting summer 2012)Dean’s Meeting is the first meeting on day two of New Student Conferences. This includes:

• Welcome from Associate Dean

• Importance of critical thinking

• Offering of 1-credit hour critical thinking seminars

• Study Abroad

• Importance of visiting career center early

• Review of university and college academic policies

• Tips for success

• Signing of admission contracts

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2012: the pilot program

• Students required to attend one 90-minute on campus program

• Offered three different nights in October; students required to attend one of the three

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2012

Upon arrival, students sign in on iPad

• complete self-assessment, which identifies struggles and concerns (approx. 3 mins)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2012: the pilot program

Next…

Attendees selected two 25-minute presentations

Topics included:• Study abroad information

• Time management resources

• Undergraduate research opportunities

• Career and internship information

• Student counseling resources

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2012: the pilot program

Then…

Students also had an opportunity to connect with other campus resources at vendor tables, such as:

• Multicultural Student Services

• Student Health Center

• Disability Services

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2012: the pilot program

Q: What about the students that did not attend TRAC Fair?

A: They were blocked from pre-registration until they met with a UPO advisor. They were required to utilize a campus resource then provide evidence of said resource for advisor meeting.

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2012: the pilot programNow, let’s look at some end of term data

Attended TRAC: 364 (58.1%)Probation 29 (8.0%)Dismissal 9 (2.4%)

Did not attend (DNA) TRAC: 263 (41.9%)Probation 27 (10.2%)Dismissal 19 (7.2%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2013 (no programming)

254 first semester transfer students enrolled

At the end of the semester:

228 students had finished the semester ≤2.0 GPA (90.1%)

18 students were placed on probation (7.1%)

5 students were dismissed (2.0%)

3 students had withdrawn (1.2%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Fall 2013 (no programming)

654 first semester transfer students enrolled

At the end of the semester: 599 students had finished the semester ≥2.0 GPA (92.9%)

32 students were placed on probation (5.0%)

25 students were dismissed (2.1%)

9 students had withdrawn (1.4%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Not too bad, right?

After some advisor and staff departures in Fall 2013 that prevented any dedicated transfer student programming, UPO decided to try

something new in Spring 2014.

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2014 Mid-term holds

After mid-term grades posted in early March, first semester transfer students who posted ≤2.2:

• Had holds placed on their accounts that prevented preregistration for summer and/or fall 2014

• Were required to meet with UPO advisor to discuss how the semester has been going and to review

pertinent policies, deadlines, and access to campus resources

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2014270 first semester transfer students enrolled

Attended mid-term advising session: 82 (88.2%)DNA mid-term advising session: 11 (11.8%)

Let’s look at that end of term data:242 students had finished the semester ≥2.0 GPA (91.0%)16 students were placed on probation (6.0%)8 students were dismissed (3.0%)4 students had withdrawn (1.5%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2014

Halfway through the Spring 2014 term is when our current advising team was assembled. Hooray!

Since then we have been able to dedicate more time, resources and (wo)man power to create, implement

and assess first semester programming.

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Fall 2014

Fully-charged and excited for a new semester, UPO offered two different programs for first

semester transfer students:

• a revamped TRAC Fair

• mid-semester seminar

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2014: the sequel• Attendees had 60-minutes to navigate the exhibit space

and visit as many of the resource tables that catered to their needs

• Transfer peer-mentors spoke to group and gave advice for first-semester success for transfer students

• Snacks provided

• 2014-2015 academic planners handed out

• Dean’s Office staff managed check-in with card readers attached to iPads

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2014: the sequel

Students had an opportunity to connect with other campus resources at vendor tables, such as:

Academic Success Center Study Abroad

Dept. of Rec Sports Transfer Peer Mentors

Student Health Center Departmental Advisors

Disability Services Libraries

Liberal Arts Student Council Writing Center

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Mid-semester Seminar Fall 2014

• Midterm grades for all first-semester transfer students were evaluated and any student <2.2 GPA with at least one F grade was required to attend

• Students that did not attend had holds placed on their accounts that prevented them from registering early for the spring 2015 term until they met one-on-one with an Undergraduate Programs Office advisor

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Mid-semester Seminar Fall 2014

This was a lecture-style meeting where students were reminded of important university and college academic requirements. We reviewed:

• Q-drop and withdrawal procedures

• the importance of meeting with instructors

• the importance of meeting with advisors

• time management and the importance of setting priorities

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Mid-semester Seminar Fall 2014

Attendees were asked to fill out and submit an anonymous ½ page survey to illustrate their understanding of requirements and resources available to them and asked for helpful suggestions

Results: 96 surveys from 96 attendees; 100% response rate

Attended Did Not Attend

TRAC Fair 93 (17.1%) 451 (81.9%)

Mid-semester Seminar 96/163 (58.9%) 67/163 (41.1%)

Fall 2014 Data544 first semester transfer students enrolled

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Fall 2014

Let’s look at that end of term data:

499 students had finished the semester ≤2.0 GPA (91.9%)

27 students were placed on probation (4.9%)

17 students were dismissed (3.1%)

1 students had withdrawn (.1%)

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2015

Not completely impressed by the results from Fall 2014’s first semester transfer events, we

decided to alter a few things:

• a REQUIRED New Student Welcome event

• a REQUIRED TRAC Fair

• a REQUIRED mid-semester seminar

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

New Student Welcome Spring 2015Like NSC Dean’s Meetings, the Welcome included:

• Welcome from Dean and Associate Dean

• Importance of critical thinking

• Study Abroad

• Importance of visiting career center early

• Review of university and college academic policies

• Tips for success

• Transfer Peer Mentors

• Reminder of other first semester events and checklist

• Snacks and bottled water

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Spring 2015

(almost exactly like Fall 2014)Attendees had 60-minutes to navigate the exhibit space and visit

as many of the resource tables that catered to their needs

• Transfer peer-mentors and UPO advisor spoke to group and gave advice for first-semester success for transfer students

• Dean’s Office staff managed check-in with card readers attached to iPads

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Mid-semester Seminar Spring 2015

This was a lecture-style meeting where students were reminded of important university and college academic requirements. All first semester transfer students were required to attend. We reviewed:

• Q-drop and withdrawal procedures

• the importance of meeting with instructors

• the importance of meeting with advisors

• time management and the importance of setting priorities

• Explained academic and probation policies for the college

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Mid-semester Seminar Spring 2015

Students who posted mid-term grades <2.0 and DID NOT attend the required mid-semester seminar were then required to meet with a UPO advisor to discuss their academic challenges, concerns and questions.

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Feedback: Spring 2015

1/2 sheet survey offered to students at:

• TRAC Fair

• Mid-semester seminar

Although we did not receive 100% feedback (this time, we did learn that a majority of this population of students HATED being required to attend all events and would have preferred some flexibility.

Attended Did Not Attend

New Student Welcome 167 (70.2%) 71 (29.8%)

TRAC Fair 110 (46.2%) 128 (53.8%)

Mid-semester Seminar 141 (59.2%) 97 (40.8%)

Mid-term advising session 29/48 (60.4%) 19/48 (39.6%)

Spring 2015 Data238 first semester transfer students enrolled

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2015 Data

Let’s look at that end of term data, now:

215 students had finished the semester ≤2.0 GPA (91.9%)

16 students were placed on probation (6.8%)

3 students were dismissed (1.3% aka AWESOME)

4 students had withdrawn (1.7%)

Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Fall 2013

Total

Numbers507 627 254 654

Dismissed 4.9% 4.5% 2.0% 2.1%

Probation 10.6% 8.9% 7.1% 5.0%

Above 2.0

GPR84.5% 86.6% 90.9% 92.2%

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Spring 2014 Fall 2014 Spring 2015

Total

Numbers270 544 238

Dismissed 3.0% 3.1% 1.3%

Probation 6.0% 4.9% 6.8%

Above 2.0

GPR91.0% 91.9% 91.9%

Summary of EOT (end of term) Data from Fall 2011-Spring 2015

AttendedTRAC

Did Not Attend

Sample Size 93 451

Average GPA 2.89 2.86

Above 2.0 86 (92.4%) 413 (91.5%)

Avg. GPA Hrs 14.39 14.11

Avg. Grade Points 38.4 37.2

Dismissed 3 (3.23%) 14 (3.1%)

Probation 7 (7.5%) 24 (5.3%)

Data breakdown: TRAC Fair Fall 2014

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

20122012

AttendedTRAC

2012 DidNot Attend

TRAC2014

2014 Attended

TRAC

2014 Did Not Attend

TRAC

Sample Size

627 364 263 544 93 451

AverageGPA

2.73 2.82 2.60 2.86 2.89 2.86

Dismissed 4.5% 2.4% 7.2% 3.1% 3.23% 3.1%

Probation 8.9% 8.0% 10.3% 5.1% 7.5% 5.3%

Above 2.0 86.6% 90.0% 82.5% 91.7% 92.4% 91.5%

Retention # 599 355 244 499 90 437

Retention % 95.5% 97.5% 92.7% 96.8% 96.7% 96.9%

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Data breakdown: TRAC Fair Comparison (2012 & 2014)

AttendedSeminar

Did Not Attend

Sample Size 96 68

Average GPA 2.29 2.21

Above 2.0 76 (80%) 50 (73.5%)

Avg. GPA Hrs 11.86 11.35

Avg. Grade Points 27.19 25.06

Dismissed 7 (7.37%) 8 (11.7%)

Probation 12 (12.6%) 10 (14.7%)

Retention 92.6% 88.2%

Data breakdown: Mid-semester Seminar Fall 2014

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair

Program outcomes:

-raise semester GPAs

-lower dismissal rates

-lower probation numbers

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

Mid-Semester Seminar

Program outcomes:

-raise semester GPAs

-lower dismissal rates

-lower probation numbers

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

In conclusion, our end of term data and student feedback indicates that we are on the right trac, oops, track.

Our transfer students will continue to be aided by our program development and assessment.

Next stop: second year retention programming!

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

References• Eggleston, L.E. & Laanan, F.S. (2001). Making the

transition to the senior institution. New Directions for Community Colleges, 114, 87-97.

• Hills, J. (1965). Transfer shock: The academic performance of the transfer student. The Journal of Experimental Education, 33.

Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming

TRAC Fair Fall 2015

Questions?

Comments?

Contact us!

Tabithatforeman@tamu.edu

Juliajakab@tamu.edu

Shedshedjohnson@tamu.edu