Collaborating Across Campus to Engage & Retain Transfer Students - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Collaborating Across Campus to Engage & Retain Transfer Students

Session CT-33

Kim Morton Students in Transition Conference October 2017

What we will discuss today….

• Quick Overview of Transfer Data
• Transfer students at Appalachian State University
• My experience with collaboration
• How do you collaborate?

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Nationally…..

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Of the 3.6 million students who entered college for the first time in fall 2008...

• Over one third (37.2 percent)

transferred to a different institution at least once within six years.

• Of these, almost half changed their

institution more than once (45 percent).

• Counting multiple moves, the

students made 2.4 million transitions from one institution to another from 2008 to 2014.

Transfer & Mobility: A National View of Student Movement in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2008 Cohort (2015). National Student Clearinghouse.

Why Students Transfer…

• Move from community college to a four-year

institution

• Location
• Change majors
• Closer to home/loved ones
• Want different size school
• Change in finances
• First college was a bad fit

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Fall 2017 Transfer Students at Appalachian State University

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Appalachian State University is one of the 17 state institutions in the University of North Carolina system. Located in Boone, NC Total Fall 2017 Undergraduate Population: 17,017 students 26% originally came in as transfers (main campus) In May 2017, 34% of graduating class had started as transfer students

App’s Office of Transfer Services

• Housed in Division of Enrollment Management,

under Academic Affairs

• Formed originally in 2010 to ensure credit

evaluation was consistent; expanded in 2014 to holistically support transfer student success

• Help students from prospective student through

graduation

• 8.5 staff members
• 15 Transfer Student Mentors &

70+ Faculty Transfer Mentors

• Transfer Services Team

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Office of Transfer Services

Director Associate Director (Engagement & Retention) Transfer Transition Advisor Jump Start Coordinator Assistant Director (Credit Evaluation & IT) Credit Evaluators (2) Administrative Assistant (FT) Administrative Support (PT)

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App’s Transfer Retention & Graduation Numbers

Fall Cohort All Transfer Retention NCCC Transfer Retention 1st Year Comparison

2016 85.8% 86.4% 89% 2015 86.5% 86.7% 87%

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Fall Cohort Graduation 2 Year Graduation 3 Year Graduation 4 Year Graduation 6 Year 2013 16.1% ( ALL TR) 18.2% (NCCC TR) 54.4% (ALL TR) 54.7% (NCCC TR) 71.1% (ALL TR) 69.3% (NCCC TR) 53% (1st Year) 2011 73% (1st Year)

Things to consider….

• Transfer students:

– Important pathway in higher education – Fill anticipated attrition numbers at 4-year institutions – Bring diverse experiences to university culture

• Essential to go beyond just admitting transfer

students

• How our language & actions welcome transfer

students

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Collaborations within Academic Affairs

• 70+ trained Faculty Transfer Mentors
• Department Chairs

– Credit petitions – Transfer guides – Class seats management for new transfers

• University Advising & College Advising Offices

– Hand off between our Transition Advisor and campus Advisors

• General Education

– Help students meet general education requirements – Established Transfer Champion Award

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Continued….

• Orientation

– T-POP – Orientation – Welcome Weekend

• Common Read
• Library

– Librarian dedicated to Non-Traditional Students – Workshops for new transfer students

• Academic Department Welcome Activities

– COB Open House, Geology New Student Social

• Office of Student Success Early Alert System

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Collaborations with Student Affairs

• Housing

– Transfer, Transfer Educator, & Early College RLC’s

• Chair Transfer RLC Leadership Committee

– On-Campus Housing

• Off-Campus Student Services

– Housing/Roommate Mixers – Rental Company Meetings – In Discussion: Community Assistants & University Guarantor

• Office of Student Leadership

– Trailhead Academy; Emerging Leaders – Collaborate: Early College Parents & Family Grant

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Continued….

• Outdoor Programs

– First Ascent

• Student Activities

– Sponsors Welcome Pizza Party each semester

• Transfer Clubs

– Transfer Student Organization & Tau Sigma

• Parents & Family

– Referrals – Parent & Family Transfer Orientation

• Wellness and Prevention Services

– Mental Well Being Work Group

• Other: Advice & Slice; Info Tables during Pizza Party

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Communication

• Admissions Communication Plan
• Transfer Student Mentors on Transfer Track

Tours & panel discussions

• Facebook Live Sessions for admitted students

– Housing, Financial Aid, Student Employment, Involvement

• Parent & Family Newsletters (monthly)
• Review publications for “transfer POV”

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Committees & More

• Early Intervention Team
• Enrollment Planning Council

– Transfer Services Team – Student Success Team – University Advising Council – University Recruitment & Transition Team

• University Orientation Council
• Attend presentations for open positions
• Volunteer to help at: CareerFest, Open House,

Graduation, Move-in Day, Library Open House, Veteran Orientation

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Data Tracking

• Departments are tracking transfer student use

– Counseling Center – Student Learning Center

• Academic Coaching
• Tutoring

– Student Legal Clinic – Early Intervention Team

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How do you collaborate?

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Questions?

Kim Morton Appalachian State University mortonka@appstate.edu 828-262-7437

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