First-Generation Strategies to Improve Student Success and Retention 36 th Annual Conference on First-Year Experience Presenters: Dr. Rachelle Darabi, Dr. Kelly Wood, Dr. Tracey Glaessgen, Mr. Mark Biggs February 13, 2017
Session Overview • Introduction of presenters • MSU and first generation student data—identifying trends • Years 1-3: First Gen Pilot Program at MSU • 2017 and beyond initiatives • Q & A 2
Missouri State Facts • Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs, located in Springfield, MO. • We are the second largest university in the state with 26,000 students system-wide. • 34-35% (6,000-7,000 undergraduates) are First-Generation. • First year students required to live on campus, with exceptions. • Our mission is to develop fully educated persons with a focus on ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement. 3
NSSE NATIONAL SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT • 2012 NSSE Administration at MSU • Web version of the NSSE was administered (17% response rate). • 324 first-year students • 752 seniors • First-year and senior samples closely resembled the MSU population in both demographics and academic performance. • Identified relevant trends in first generation student success 4
NSSE Patterns & Trends FIRST YEAR, FIRST GENERATION REPORTED MORE LESS • Communicating with instructors by • Do slightly less work with faculty email more members outside** of class • Discuss ideas from classes more with • Tutoring or teaching other students others outside of class – family and co- less often workers • Lower quality of relationships with other students • Working more for pay off campus • Spending many more hours providing • Report less satisfaction with advising care for live-in dependents • Evaluated their overall experience at Missouri State University lower than non-first gen ** Research shows that students define “faculty” as any caring adult they interact with on campus 5
NSSE Patterns & Trends SENIOR, FIRST GENERATION REPORTED LESS MORE • Working significantly less with faculty on • Preparing more drafts of papers or activities other than coursework assignments before turning them in (committees, student life, etc.) • Writing more long papers (not • Working less with faculty on research significant) and fewer short papers projects outside of course or program (significant) requirements (i.e. extracurricular research) • Spending many more hours providing • Completing less community service or care for live-in dependents volunteer work. • Participate a lot less in co-curricular activities • Doing fewer relaxing activities (watching tv, parties, etc.) 6
Data are Crucial In 2014 our President expressed great interest in and concern for first generation students (FGS). Missouri State University began reporting on and sharing first generation student data. Good data are crucial to understanding your first generation population: • Who are your first-gen students? • Demographics about how FGS differ from non-first gen students (NFGS) • Characteristics that might impact student success • What are their success rates – retention and graduation data? • Are your interventions having a positive impact? 7
Sample data Reports FGS Students 8
First Time New in College Data - FGS 9
First Time New in College Data - NFGS 10
First Time New in College Data - NFGS 11
Other Comparative Institutions Comparison Categories MSU In-State Out of State Out of State Large Masters PhD Gran:ng PdD Gran:ng Large Masters Data – Other (FY 2015 Data) Gran:ng Gran:ng Institutions Enrollment 18,517 27,654 22,159 9,857 1st Time Full Time Freshmen 2,870 6,515 4,571 1,698 ACT Composite top 25% 21% 23% 21% 21% % Receiving PELL 33% 21% 23% 46% Fall to Fall Reten:on 76% 82% 83% 75% 2014 to 2015 Fall to Fall First-Gen Reten:on 73% 2014 to 2015 6-Yr Grad Rate (2007 53% 70% 60% 35% Cohort) 6-Yr First-Gen Grad Rate 47% (2007 Cohort) 12
What we learned from this data: 1. First Gen and Non-First Gen Students arrive with nearly the same academic qualifications: ( *may be different for other institutions) 2016 Data First Gen Students Non-First Gen Students ACT (average) 23.33 (43.7% above a 24) 24.36 (53.9% above 24) High School GPA 3.60 3.67 Class Rank – top 20% 85% 84.9% 2. Demographics similar except in 3 important ways*: Fall 2016 First-Time New in First Generation Non-First Generation College Data (3126 total students) (1,109 students) (1,829 students) % First-time New Students 35.47% 58.51% Gender 64.2% Female 59.3% Female Age – 18-21 96.6% 98.2% Enrollment Status: Full-time 98.6% 99.0% Pell Eligible* 50.3% 20.4% Ethnicity – Underrepresented* 19.7% 11.7% Living Off Campus* 17.7% 11.4% 13
Success Data 3. Retention – Fall to Fall, First-Time New Students Fall to Fall Retention University First-Gen Students Non-First Gen Students 2015-2016 79.11% 72.16% 82.77% 2014 - 2015 78.27% 72.10% 81.07% 2013 – 2014 75.31% 68.27% 80.96% 4. Six-Year Graduation Rates - First-Time or Transfer, Full time Fall Cohort 6-Year Grad Rate – University First-Gen Students Non-First Gen First Students 2010 Cohort (2010-16) 54.93% 47.89% 60.51% 2009 Cohort (2009-15) 52.36% 44.15% 60.08% 2008 Cohort (2008-14) 54.74% 46.49% 60.93% 14
Conclusions: MSU’s first generation students arrive academically prepared, but experience significantly lower retention and graduation rates. Therefore, our FGS population must need other resources to succeed at similar rates: • Information – social capital related to college experience • Proactive Contact – via advisors, RA’s, student peers • Increased Engagement on campus • Additional Resources – financial and social 15
Approach Matters MSU has decided to approach our first-gen students as a rich resource rather than a liability or at-risk group. As Byron White, V.P. Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer, Cleveland State, puts it : “Administrators and faculty members desperately need a new language to characterize minority, low-income and first-generation students -- one that frees us from dependence on labels such as “disadvantaged” … . INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION, “ The Emerging Student Majority: 16 Beyond a Deficit View. ” Byron P. White (April 19, 2016).
Year 1 2014-2015 FIRST GEN INITIATIVES • Goal : Improve overall retention rate and experience of first generation college students. • Enrolled 224 first-time-in-college, first generation students in eight (8) GEP 101 sections. • Six (6) sections were organized by college and two were undecided students. • Students surveyed 3 times in fall semester about experience and intentions to stay at MSU. • GEP 101 instructors remained in touch with students into spring semester … tried community activity. 17
First Generation Student Pilot Results FALL 13-14 FALL 14-15 1 st year Pilot First Generation Student 68.5% 72% (224 enrolled) Retention All Other Students 80.9% 77% (2275 enrolled) Retention Gap -12.4% -5%
Year 2 2015-2016 FIRST GEN INITIATIVES • FA15: Enrolled 320 first-time-in-college, first generation students in eleven (11) sections: • FGS : 176 students enrolled in six (6) sections by college and two undecided groups • College focused : 144 students enrolled in five (5) sections • Scholarship workshops to assist FGS in applying for scholarships by March 1 deadline 19
MSU: I’m First In 2015, after a screening of the documentary, First Generation , two FG sophomores formed a new student organization devoted to First- Gen success at MSU . MSU: I’m First has 78 members. It regularly hosts workshops such 20 as: FASFA Preparation, Scholarship Applications, Home for the Summer Conversations with Family & Friends . https://missouristate.collegiatelink.net/organization/Imfirst
First Generation Student Pilot Results FALL 13-14 FALL 14-15 FALL 15-16 1 st year Pilot 2 nd year Pilot First Generation 68.5% 72% 80.6% (224 enrolled) (176 enrolled) Student Retention College Section 78.4% (144 enrolled)* Retention All Other Students 80.9% 77% 76.5% (2275 enrolled) (2594 enrolled) Retention Gap -12.4% -5% +4%
Summer 2016 • Campus-Wide Commitment • First-Generation Bears • Monthly Family Newsletter with featured article • Continued expansion of specialized first-year seminar sections for first-generation students 22
Summer 2016 cont’d • Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on High Impact Practices and Student Success • Missouri State University Team • Campus-wide representation • Purpose • Create high impact practices for first-generation students 23
AAC&U Institute cont’d • Outcome • Planning 2017 Conference (Fri. Oct. 6) Sustaining First-Generation Students • Developing Maroon Milestones ( high impact experiences ) for students during year one through year four • Spreading awareness of first-generation students’ needs 24
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