Recruiting and Retaining underrepresented students at a...

RECRUITING AND RETAINING

UNDERREPRESENTED

STUDENTS AT A PWI WHILE

PROVIDING PEER MENTORS

Presenters:

Jocelyn Vickers

Charria Campbell

Auburn University

Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs

NACADA 2011

SESSION OVERVIEW

History of the Office of Diversity and

Multicultural Affairs

Overview of Educational Opportunity Resource

Center (EORC) programs

Provost Leadership Undergraduate Scholarship

(PLUS)

Summer Enrichment Experience Program (S.E.E.

Auburn)

Providing Peer Opportunities for Diverse Students

(P2ODs)

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY & MULTICULTURAL

AFFAIRS (ODMA)

Mission: Establish diversity as a core value at

Auburn University.

Vision: ODMA will offer a comprehensive range of

exemplary educational programs that will foster

and sustain an environment that promotes

academic excellence, respects differences, and

accepts inclusiveness.

ODMA UNITS

Access & Community Initiatives

Multicultural Center

Women’s Initiatives

Women’s Resource Center, WISE, ADVANCE

Educational Opportunities Research Center

Minority Recruitment, PLUS, SEE, P2ODS, PGOP, LSAMP, Bridge to the

Doctorate (BD)

Diversity Faculty Mentoring

Assessment, Planning, and Dissemination

DEFINITION OF DIVERSITY

Diversity at Auburn University encompasses the

whole of human experience and includes such

human qualities as race, gender, ethnicity,

physical ability, nationality, age, religion, sexual

orientation, economic status, and veteran

status. These and other socially and historically

important attributes reflect the complexity of

our increasingly diverse student body, local

community, and national population.

EORC

Mission - Foster an inclusive academic environment for students at Auburn University

EORC serves as a resource for disadvantaged students who

need assistance matriculating through the university

EORC assists the university in determining and implementing best practices for recruiting and retaining student from diverse backgrounds

EORC also provides students information about financial aid, careers, tutoring, mentoring, and other success strategy skills

PLUS PROGRAM HISTORY

PLUS was started in 2006 to increase diversity

on Auburn’s campus

Funded by corporate and alumni donors

Students are awarded $2000 per year for four

years

PLUS PROGRAM MISSION

In an effort to increase diversity among the undergraduate student population at Auburn University, the Provost has created, with the help of generous financial support from corporate partners, the Provost Leadership Undergraduate Scholarship (PLUS) Program.

The PLUS program assists participants financially by providing them a $2,000 scholarship per academic year renewable up to four years, and supports them academically and socially to ensure that they succeed at Auburn University. This program has been developed to complement goals of the Auburn University Strategic Diversity Plan.

PLUS APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Application Guidelines

Applicants must submit the following:

• PLUS scholarship application form

• 300-400 word diversity essay on one of the following three topics:

(a) The importance of having a diverse student body at a university

(b) The benefits of diversity to America

(c) What you will do at Auburn to promote and enhance diversity

• Recommendation letter from a teacher or counselor

PLUS PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Be a United States citizen or permanent

resident

Be an incoming freshman with a high school

cumulative GPA of at least 3.25

Have been admitted to Auburn University

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student

Aid (FAFSA)

PLUS PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CONTINUED

Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at Auburn University

Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester

Attend Mandatory PLUS Orientation one week prior to school starting

Participate in all PLUS sponsored activities

Participate in the PLUS Learning Community Freshman Year

PLUS SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection Criteria

The PLUS Scholarship Committee will give priority to qualified students that demonstrate the following:

• First generation college students

• Financial need according to federal guidelines

• Alabama residents

• Diverse background – as determined by goals of the Auburn University Strategic Diversity Plan

PLUS PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Academic Advising & Counseling with PLUS Coordinator

Peer Mentoring

Studying and Tutoring Sessions

Leadership and College Survival Skills Workshops

Living/Learning Community

Academic tracking

Annual Spring Banquet with parents, campus representatives, and donors

PLUS MENTORING COMPONENT

Mentoring is peer-to-peer

The first 3 years, mentors were selected from the general student body

Currently all mentoring is done with PLUS students only

Mentors are selected during the summer and notified at the beginning of the academic year of their mentees

The 1st general PLUS meeting is for mentors and mentees to exchange information and develop a regular meeting schedule

PLUS MENTORING COMPONENT CONTINUED

Students paired based on factors such as

major, hometown, similar interests

3-4 students were previously in a group

Mentors are Jrs and Srs in the program

Students meet once every 2 weeks

Other contact can be calls, emails, text, FB

PLUS MENTORING COMPONENT CONTINUED

Planned activities for mentoring groups to meet

Students complete a mentoring form to outline

meetings

Mentor evaluations are done in the

Fall(individual evaluations)

Overall program evaluations are done in the

Spring with a section for an overall evaluation

on the mentoring component

Mentor: Mentee(s) :

Mentor Rating

Mentee

Has your mentor… N Min Avg Max

a. been available to you.

b. helped minimize your anxieties about school.

c. been helpful in answering questions.

d. showed genuine concern for you and treated you with respect.

e. provided adequate support to facilitate learning.

f. provided thoughtful, candid, and constructive feedback.

* Scale: 1 – Strongly Disagree to 5 – Strongly Agree Mentor

Rating Mentee

N Min Avg Max a. Have you felt comfortable talking to your mentor about things, either good or bad?

b. Have you felt comfortable talking to the program coordinator about your experiences, either good or bad?

c. Have you felt comfortable approaching instructors for additional help?

* Scale: 1 – Not at all comfortable to 4 – Very Comfortable Mentor

Rating

Mentee

N Min Avg Max a. How satisfied are you with your mentoring interactions?

b. How would you rate your overall experience with your mentor?

* Scale: 1 – Very Dissatisfied to 5 - Very Satisfied At this time, would you recommend your mentor to others? ____ Yes ____ No How do you communicate with your mentor?

___E - mail __ Phone __Face to Face ___Other

PLUS MENTOR EVALUATION

What went well in your mentoring relationship this semester?

Please Explain.

Mentor:

Mentee(s):

What was your greatest challenge in your mentoring relationship this semester?

Mentor:

Mentee(s):

What could be done to improve your mentoring relationship? Mentor: Mentee(s):

PLUS MENTOR EVALUATION SUMMARY

SAMPLE EVALUATION RESULTS Mentor: Mentee ( s ) :

Mentor Rating

Mentee


a. been available to you. 4 3 4 4.67 5

b. helped minimize your anxieties about school. 3 3 4 4.67 5

c. been helpful in answering questions. 4 3 4 4.67 5


5 3 5 5.00 5


4 3 4 4.67 5


5 3 4 4.67 5

* Scale : 1 – Strongly Disagree to 5 – Strongly Agree Mentor

Rating Mentee


3 3 4 4.00 4


3 3 4 4.00 4


4 3 4 4.00 4


Rating

Mentee

N Min Avg Max a. How satisfied are you with your mentoring interactions?

3 3 4 4.67 5


2 3 4 4.67 5

* Scale: 1 – Very Dissatisfied to 5 - Very Satisfied At this time, would you reco mmend your mentor to others? _ 3 _ Yes __ __ No How do you communicate with your mentor?

_ 1 _E - mail _ 2 _ Phone _ 3 _ Fa ce to F ace _ 1 _Other Mentor Reported Using : E - mail, Phone, Face to Face, Other (Facebook)

Mentor: Mentee(s)

Mentor Rating

Mentee


a. been available to you. 2 1 1 1.00 1

b. helped minimize your anxieties about school. 2 1 1 1.00 1

c. been helpful in answering questions. 2 1 1 1.00 1


3 1 1 1.00 1


2 1 1 1.00 1


2 1 1 1.00 1

* Scale: 1 – Strongly Disagree to 5 – Strongly Agree Mentor

Rating Mentee


2 1 1 1.00 1


3 1 3 3.00 3


4 1 2 2.00 2


Rating

Mentee N Min Avg Max a. How satisfied are you with your mentoring interactions?

2 1 1 1.00 1


2 1 1 1.00 1

* Scale: 1 – Very Dissatisfied to 5 - Very Satisfied At this time, would you recommend your mentor to others? ____ Yes _2 _ No How do you communicate with your mentor?

___E - mail __ Phone __Face to Face ___Other Mentor Reported Using : E - mail, Other (Facebook)

SAMPLE COMMENTS What went well in your mentoring relationship this semester? Please Explain.

Mentor: N/A

Mentee(s):

Have not met my mentor!

Never met her.


Mentor: Planning times to meet with mentee was my greatest challenge.

Mentee(s):

Never met her.

What could be done to improve your mentoring relationship?

Mentor: Finding better ways to communicate more on a regular basis.

Mentee(s):

Never met her!

Do you feel mentoring interferes with your ability to focus on your coursework?

No

What went well in your mentoring relationship this semester? Please Explain.

Mentor: I gained a good relationship with Wade Manora. He was quite flexible when it came to meeting up. My mentees Quinton and Eddie were really kind though.

Mentee(s):

Frequent meetings

N/A

She was helpful whenever I needed assistance.


Mentor: Trying to track down my mentees was the most challenging. We decided to meet up every other Tuesday, but sometimes one or two of them couldn't make it. It was also hard trying to get the mentees to bring the mentor sign-in sheet. At times, there is an awkward silence.

Mentee(s):

N/A

N/A

Finding time to meet.

What could be done to improve your mentoring relationship?

Mentor: Less mentees, or having mentees meet with their mentor before or after the PLUS meeting.

Mentee(s):

N/A

N/A

Nothing.

Do you feel mentoring interferes with your ability to focus on your coursework?

No, but it is time consuming. If it is organized better (on our part) it would be a piece of cake.

PLUS ORIENTATION ASSESSMENT

About the 2010 PLUS Orientation: Mean St Dev N

Percent

Favorable

I would recommend the orientation to other students. 4.68 0.48 28 100.0%

The PLUS orientation was a good use of my time. 4.39 0.69 28 89.3%

The content of the sessions was useful to me. 4.29 0.66 28 89.3%

I had accurate and timely information about the

orientation. 4.36 0.62 28 92.9%

I believe this orientation has greatly helped me to

transition from high school to college. 4.32 0.67 28 89.3%

Overall, I enjoyed the orientation. 4.61 0.57 28 96.4%

Note: Scale of 1 – Strongly Disagree to 5 – Strongly Agree

PLUS 2010-2011 PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

* Percent favorable is the combined percentage of those indicating agree or strongly agree.

Note: Scale of 1 – Strongly Disagree to 5 – Strongly Agree

Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree

with the following statements: Average

Standard

Deviation Valid n

Percent

Favorable*

The PLUS coordinator is interested in students’ academic

problems. 3.55 0.57 29 96.6

The PLUS coordinator is interested in students’ personal

problems. 3.31 0.60 29 93.1

I would recommend the PLUS program to an incoming

student. 3.55 0.69 29 96.6

The atmosphere of the PLUS program is conductive to

learning. 3.55 0.51 29 100.0

The expectations for participating in the PLUS program were

clear. 3.66 0.48 29 100.0

I have found a balance between academics and extracurricular

activities. 3.24 0.58 29 93.1

I feel a sense of belonging at Auburn. 3.62 0.49 29 100.0

My mentor was available to me. 2.79 1.17 28 64.3

My mentor helped minimize my anxieties about school. 2.61 1.07 28 60.7

My mentor was helpful in answering questions. 2.64 1.10 28 60.7

My mentor showed genuine concern for me and treated me

with respect. 2.71 1.18 28 64.3

My mentor provided adequate support to facilitate learning. 2.64 1.10 28 60.7

My mentor provided thoughtful, candid, and constructive

feedback. 2.71 1.12 28 64.3

PLUS PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

• Most Positive Aspects: • Networking / Social interactions • Financial support • Mandatory study requirements • Mentoring • Guest speaker presentations • Coordinator • Meetings

PLUS PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

• Least Positive Aspects: • Tracking sheets and grade reports • Meetings

• Many student comments indicated appreciation for all aspects of PLUS program

PLUS PROGRAM ASSESSMENT CONTINUED

Student feedback: • “The PLUS Program made my transition from high school to college very smooth.

Without this program, I don’t think I would have done as well my first year. In addition to helping me financially, this program also motivates me to maintain my grade-point average.” – Joshua Hale, Industrial and Systems Engineering


Student feedback: • “PLUS has provided me with valuable resources like a mentor and free

tutoring services as well as a strong support group while I attend Auburn.” – Rebecca Sollie, Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med

• “The PLUS program has supported me academically, socially, and financially, providing me with the tools to be successful at Auburn.” – Maegan Moguel, Public Relations


Student feedback: • “Being part of a ‘program’ of Auburn makes me feel more proud to say I’m

from Auburn. Being a part of PLUS also betters me as a student academically, motivating me to stay ahead of the game.”

• “My mentor helped me to overcome my anxiety in confronting campus life by telling me stories of her first time on campus. She was even kind enough to email or text me just to see how I was doing.”

PLUS HIGHLIGHTS

Number of Scholarships Awarded (192) Cohort 1 – 38

Cohort 2 – 24

Cohort 3 – 24

Cohort 4 – 37

Cohort 5 – 30

Cohort 6 – 39

Ethnic Distribution: 148 (77%) African American, 17 (9%) Hispanic, 10 (5%) White, 9

(5%) Asian, and 8 (4%) Native American.

Gender Distribution: 79 (41%) male and 113 (59%) female.

College Enrollment: Agriculture (6), Architecture (19),Business (13), Education (9),

Engineering (48), Forestry (1), Human Sciences (8), Liberal Arts (28), Nursing (6), and Sciences and Mathematics (54).

PLUS HIGHLIGHTS

Financial need:

Average need of recipients (2011 Cohort) – $21,015

Average projected cost of attendance (2011-12) – $24,956

First Generation:

87 awards (45%) to first generation students.

ACT Scores:

18982

PLUS Average ACT

Score

University Overall

Average ACT Score

Cohort 1 21.6 24.3

Cohort 2 22.0 24.9

Cohort 3 22.8 25.9

Cohort 4 22.8 26.2

Cohort 5 23.8 26.9

Cohort 6 24.6 27.2

PLUS RETENTION RATES

For Cohorts 1 – 5: (153 students)

32 students graduated from Auburn University

94 or (87%) still enrolled

First year retention rates:

PLUS First-Year

Retention Rate

University Overall First-

Year Retention Rate

Cohort 1 (2006-07) 94.7% 86.4%

Cohort 2 (2007-08) 95.8% 87.0%

Cohort 3 (2008-09) 95.8% 86.2%

Cohort 4 (2009-10) 91.9% 87.1%

Cohort 5 (2010-11) 96.7% Not yet available

PLUS STUDENT COMMENTS

“The most valuable aspect of the PLUS program is the $2,000 scholarship. I have no other way to pay for college without outside help. My family cannot afford it.”

“The PLUS program gives students from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to prove they are college material by providing not only financial support but also all services to help students succeed in class and outside of class.”

S.E.E. PROGRAM HISTORY

Began Summer 2008

Mimics Auburn University College of Sciences &

Mathematics Summer Bridge Program

Committee Driven

Participating Colleges

College of Agriculture; College of Architecture,

Design, and Construction; College of Business;

College of Education; School of Forestry & Wildlife

Sciences; College of Human Sciences; College of

Liberal Arts; and School of Nursing

S.E.E. PROGRAM GOALS

Increase enrollment for underrepresented populations

Increase students’ mathematics and English skills

Expose students earlier to the seven participating colleges and schools

Develop students’ study and time management skills

Introduce students to a network of faculty, staff, and fellow minority students

S.E.E. PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Program Orientation with Parents

Two classes- English Composition I and Precalculus

Parallel workshops for the classes

Seminars presented by campus departments and offices

Field trips

StrengthsQuest curriculum

Closing Luncheon

* Note: Students do not receive college credit, but receive an overall on-campus experience!

SEE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF

SEE Program Coordinator

4-6 Peer counselors

ODMA Staff members

SEE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF

Total SEE Participants (45)

2008 - 16

2009 - 29

2010 – 20

2011 – 18

Projected 2012 - 40

Matriculation to Auburn (91%)

PROVIDING PEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE

STUDENTS (P²ODS)

To aid Auburn University's efforts toward increasing the number and quality of student graduates at Auburn University;

To develop and maintain working alliances within the university system and the local community to complement and enhance ethnic minority student retention efforts.

Informs students of support programs across campus and beyond. Takes proactive steps toward empowering students.

P²ODS PARTICIPATION

All students who participate in the Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) are encouraged to participate in the P²ODS program

The Program is also open for any Freshman and Sophomore at Auburn University

Black Student Union has collaborated with our program to mentor students

HOW THE P²ODS PROGRAM WORKS

Peer Mentoring

Study & Tutoring Sessions

Academic Tracking

Academic Advising & Counseling

P²ODS SCHOLARSHIP

Maintain a 2.8 GPA

Meet regularly with their mentor

Come to monthly leadership meeting

Complete bi-weekly activity sheets

PEER MENTORING

Mentees and Mentors are welcome to meet or

communicate in any environment

Email

Text

Facebook

Face to face

Eat lunch together

Go to church

A ride to the store

Counseling session

MENTOR MATCHING

Mentors selected through interview process (2.5 GPA requirement)

Mentors are our President’s Graduate

Opportunity Program recipients (PGOP)

Doctoral students in different disciplines

Students are matched by

Hometown

Major

Hobbies

Gender

P²ODS MENTOR/MENTEE LOG

P²ODS ACTIVITY SHEET

RESEARCH INFORMATION

Total Participants (76)

2008: 5 Students from SEE Program

2 Scholarships Awarded

2009: 21 (SEE & Other)

6 Scholarships Awarded

2010: 17 Students from SEE Program

2 scholarships Awarded

2011: 33 Students; 11 SEE Program; 22 Freshman

2012: Projected 40 Students

93% of P2ODS participants still enrolled

P²ODS COMMENTS

“P2ODS is a great program which encourages academic

success with the guidance of a mentor who's been through the

things you will face.”

“It's a great program to meet other students who are entering

with the same uncertainties as they might be experiencing on

entering. The P2ODS program also provides study hall and

tutoring should they require it.”

“It helps maintain focus the freshman year in college. There is

also the chance to make friends in the same field plus the

scholarship if you make good grades and participate.”

PLUS STUDENTS

2006

PLUS STUDENTS

2007

PLUS STUDENTS

2008

PLUS STUDENTS

2009

PLUS STUDENTS

2010

PLUS STUDENTS

2011

SEE STUDENTS

SEE STUDENTS 2008

SEE STUDENTS 2009

SEE STUDENTS 2010

SEE STUDENTS 2011

INFORMATION

For More Information:

Charria Campbell @ [email protected]

Jocelyn Vickers @ [email protected]

www.auburn.edu/diversity

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