Best-Practices Webinar Series

Extending Your Reach:

How to Work with CBOs

in Support of First-Generation Students

2 Common Questions From CSO College Partners

1. How do we know where to find CBOs?

2. Once we’ve found them, how do we develop relationships with them?

The CBO Database

Access to almost a thousand CBOs around the country

Panelists

Alex EconomouDirector of Partner RelationsCSO - Moderator

Shria TomlinsonCollege Affairs DirectorCollege Track

Traci KirtleyDirector of Programming & EvaluationCollege Possible

Chuck EricksonAssistant Director,AdmissionsLawrence University

Tammy DainAssistant Director of Community OutreachHoly Names University

Lawrence University

Chuck Erickson ’02

Assistant Director of AdmissionsDiversity Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator

Coordinator of Transfer Admissions

About Lawrence University•In Appleton, Wisconsin

•Founded in 1847

•Integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music

•Draws 1,445 students from 44 states and 35 countries

•First- Year Retention = 90% 6-Year Graduation = 76% Pell Grant Recipients = 17.8%

•Work with 6 CBOs and been doing this for six years

6 Best Practices

1. Plan your connections and intentions• What are you committing to this relationship?• What do you bring to the CBO?

2. Research CBOs – Be selective• What is the quality of the CBO?• Which CBOs fit your profile/goals

3. Identify Recruitment and Retention Issues• How will CBOs & the college make this work?

6 Best Practices (continued)

4. Develop a communication system• Learn to speak their language• Frequent and consistent is key

5. Evaluate and Review• End-of-the-year assessment• Changes for next year

6. Take PRIDE in what you are doing!

5 Lessons Learned

1. If you drop the ball, be honest.

2. Bad impressions last nearly forever.

3. This will almost take blood, sweat, and tears.

4. Think WAY outside of the box.

5. Communication needs to be both ways.

Holy Names University

Tammy DainAssistant Director of Community Outreach

About Holy Names University

• Oakland, CA - Founded in 1868

• HNU is a small, private Catholic liberal arts university with a particular emphasis on providing access to higher education for underserved populations.

• Total enrollment is 1,331; we have 28 different liberal arts majors, 9 graduate programs and a large adult learner population.

• We are consistently ranked as one of the most diverse universities in the West Coast and in the entire nation.

Our Student Diversity

50% First Generation

10% Asian

26% African American

22% Latino/Hispanic

24% White

4% International

Early Admit Program (EAP)

A New College Access Program• Provides access to education for students from the

particularly underserved Oakland and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts beginning in the 9th grade.

• Students are guaranteed admission to HNU if they take approved college-prep curriculum and achieve academic requirements while in high school.

• Collaborates with community based organizations and high schools for student success.

4 Best Practices1. Defined Effort and Willingness to Act• Define university objectives through outreach and commit to action

2. Understand Your Partners • Attend any information sessions that are held on site and learn about the CBO’s students

3. Take a Step Back• Make an effort to connect with individual organizations but don’t forget about the big picture

4. Use Your Positioning to Bridge the Gap• University presence can bridge the gap between school districts and community based

organizations

2 Lessons Learned

1. A Sense of Flexibility

2. It’s Okay to Prioritize for the Sake of Progress

College Track

MISSION: To close the achievement gap and create a

college-going culture for students who are historically and currently under-represented in higher education.

How We WorkNATIONAL COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM6 centers and counting: San Francisco Oakland E. Palo Alto New Orleans Aurora Los Angeles (Summer 2012)

MAKING A COMMITMENT & LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN OUR STUDENTS

8th GRADE: Recruit students

HIGH SCHOOL: Provide comprehensive support

COLLEGE: Provide Financial, Social, & Peer support

Focusing on four core service areas – Academic Affairs, Student Life, College Affairs, and College Success –

our students gain the experience that best prepares them for the academic, social, and financial demands of

college.

18

Core Programs

Our Students

19

90% of our students are from low-income households

90% of our seniors are admitted to four- year colleges

85% of our students will be the first-generation college graduates

75% of students admitted to college are currently enrolled in, or have completed, a

four-year degree

55% of College Track students graduate from college (compared to 22% nationwide

average of low-income students.) Our goal is 75%.

Our Growth

2010-2011 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-170

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

654

803

964

1171

1404

1629

1847

# of High School Students (During Year)

5 Best PracticesCOLLEGES SHOULD –

1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK: Research the CBO, its mission, resources, students served, typical student profile, and best time to visit

2. BE HONEST: Have candid conversations about the type of students you are looking to recruit

3. COMMUNICATE REGULARLY: Discuss new programs and opportunities available on the campus (multicultural programs, open houses, preview days, etc.)

4. COLLABORATE: Work together on presentations

5. FORMALIZE PARTNERSHIPS: Share resources and information(eg. Holy Names EAP)

5 Lessons Learned

1. Relationships are key

2. Exposure is Important

3. Invest in Families

4. Communicate key programs and services that are aligned with supporting target student population

5. Be Patient and Flexible

College Possible

MISSION: Making college admission and success

possible through an intensive

curriculum of coaching and support

About College Possible

• Students: 91% are students of color, average reported family income is less than $25,000 and most are first-generation college students

• Size: Currently serving 8,700 students in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Omaha

• Growth: Planning to serve 20,000 students annually in 10 locations as early as 2015

Our Programs

• 320 hours of direct support over two years

• Junior Year– ACT/SAT test preparation– Campus visits– Summer enrichment opportunities

• Senior Year– College essay and application assistance– Financial aid and scholarship application

support– College selection and transition advising

• College Possible seniors lead workshops for underclassmen using interactive curriculum

High School Program College Program

College Planning Workshops

• Connect students with existing resources on campus

• Build a network of support among former high school program participants

• Provide financial aid and scholarship assistance

Our Results• A recent Harvard study found College Possible more than

doubles the chances that a low-income student will enroll in a 4-year institution

• 98% of students earn admission to college

• Nearly 80% of students who go onto enroll graduate or are currently persisting toward a college degree

• On average, students increase their ACT score by 21%, as compared to for-profit companies that advertise an increase of 12-14%

Best Practices

COLLEGES SHOULD:

1. Work with CBOs to bring students to your campus 2. Help CBOs help you! Be willing to teach us what you

need3. Provide transparency and support with financial aid

process4. Use the financial aspects of enrollment to prepare

students for managing college finances

Lessons Learned

CBOs SHOULD:

1. Be proactive in setting and meeting the expectations of colleges

2. Make the most of letters of recommendation

3. Create relationships between students and caring adults to increase retention and college completion rates

Contact Information

Shria TomlinsonCollege Affairs Directorshria@collegetrack.org(510) 378-9992

Traci KirtleyDirector of Programming & Evaluationtkirtley@collegepossible.org(651) 917-3525 Alexandra Economou

Director of Partner Relationsaeconomou@csopportunity.org(301) 363-4226

Chuck EricksonAssistant Director of Admissionschuck.erickson@lawrence.edu(920) 832-6503

Tammy DainAssistant Director of Community Outreachdain@hnu.edu(510) 436-1368