Current High School Students’ Questions and Thoughts on the College Transition:

NASPA Regional Conference, Seattle 2016Dr. Tricia Seifert, Christy Oliveri, Karen Funke, & Jennifer Clark

Blueprints for Student Success- Montana Project

Introductions

+Christy Oliveri+Doctoral Student, Adult & Higher Education+Research Assistant

+Karen Funke+Master’s Student, Adult & Higher Education+Gallatin College Teaching Assistant

+Jennifer Clark+Doctoral Student, Adult & Higher Education+Student Success Coordinator

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Learning Outcomes and Goals for Today

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Gain an understanding of the questions and concerns that high school students have about transitioning to college

Compare/contrast the questions/concerns of HS study participants to your experiences with first-year college students

Discuss the alignment between CAS standards (http://www.cas.edu/) for recruitment and admissions with CAS standards and best practices for first year transition programs Brainstorm ways student affairs and services staff may

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Blueprints for Student Success: Who we are and what we do

+Researchers who study and support student success.

+Partner with high school guidance counselors to increase their students’ college knowledge.

+Help students learn the language of college and about the programs and services available to help them succeed.

+Through use of social media build Montana HS students’ knowledge base so they draft their own blueprint for success.

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Overview of the Research

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+ Access agenda advanced through federal, state and local programs seeks to raise high school students’ aspirations and expectations for college.

+ Completion agenda: access is an empty promise if students do not have support to complete their degree.

+ Educational silos between HS & college

+ Stabilize the seat of college readiness

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Overview of the Project

+We wanted to know:• What do high school students know about

going to college?• What questions do high school students

have about being successful in college?• What concerns do they have about making

the transition to college?

+Five high schools around Montana

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The Jeopardy Game

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Initial Categories+Applying & Enrolling in College

+Living Away from Home

+Making Friends & Getting Involved

+Finding Support & Resources

+Succeeding in College Classes

+Being Well & Staying Healthy

+Exploring Majors & Careers

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Emerging Themes

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Emerging Themes

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Emerging Themes

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Emerging Themes

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Discussion of Jeopardy Experience

+How did the questions that you generated align with themes and categories from current high school students in Montana?

+What surprised you?

+How have your experiences with students been similar or different from the themes and categories that we presented here?

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CAS Standards/Practice and Organizational Change

+What is the Council for Advancement of Standards in higher education (CAS)?

+ For programs and functions outside of courses/curriculum; typically traditional student affairs functions

+Are standards for Undergraduate Admissions Programs and Services and for Orientation (not for FYE as a whole)

+Historical role of Admissions vs. First-Year/New Student Programs

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Admissions and Orientation

Undergraduate Admissions Programs and Services: Mission

UAPS must: Assess and evaluate abilities, needs, and expectations of prospective students as they move

from secondary to postsecondary education, as they move from one postsecondary institution to another, or as they return from a period of non-enrollment.

Orientation Programs AND Admissions must contribute to: Student’s formal education, which includes the curriculum and the co-curriculum, student progression and timely completion of educational goals, preparation of students for their careers, citizenship and lives, student learning and development.

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Activity: Think, Pair & Share

+How do student affairs and recruitment and admissions staff collaborate currently to address prospective students’ questions and concerns?

1. What opportunities exist to strengthen this collaboration?  

2. What are the barriers inhibiting closer collaboration?

3. How will these findings influence your practice?Take three minutes to write down your ideas. We We’ll pair and then share with the group.

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Current Work and Gaming App

+Focus groups with college students around Montana

+Development of gaming app with MSU’s Software Factory

+Free mobile app for high school students and new college students in Montana for practicing culture and norms of higher education

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Question & Answer

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