Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts presents: Connect,...
Transcript of Texas A&M University College of Liberal Arts presents: Connect,...
Texas A&M University
College of Liberal Arts presents:
Connect, Retain, Graduate --- Transfer Student Academic Programming
Tabitha Foreman; [email protected]
Julia Jakab; [email protected]
Shedrick Johnson; [email protected]
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?