Utilizing TRIO to Enhance the First-Year Experience Ashyya Robinson & Jazmine Thompson |Berea College National Conference on Students in Transition October 23, 2017 | Costa Mesa, CA
Learning Objectives • Introduce Berea College's history, mission, and background on programs; Emerging Scholars Program and First-Year Experience • Examine the redesign of our first-year seminar course, GST 101: Strategies for Academic Success • Provide the strengths and benefits on both sides for students and staff being under one office • Discuss how to collaborate with TRIO programs on your campus and long term planning for FYI • Q & A
History Berea College • Founded in 1855 on principles of equal education for men and women, black and white, primarily from Appalachia. • Berea was the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. • Berea is a four year Liberal Arts institution and primarily a residential campus. • “To provide an educational opportunity for students of all races, primarily from Appalachia, who have great promise and limited economic resources.” • No tuition promise Current Student Picture • Enrollment: 1600 • Pell Grant Eligible: 98% • Full tuition Scholarship: 100% • Participation in Labor Program: 100% Berea College, Factbook, 2016-2017
Emerging Scholars Program & First-Year Initiatives Timeline
Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) 2010 2011 2015 Berea College received The Emerging Scholars SSS Grant Renewed the SSS Grant Programming begins (5 year Award)
Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) Demographics Distressed • 144 Students • Counties Low-Income • Inner City • First Generation • ESP Provides: • Academic Counseling Personal mentorship Achieve students academic, financial, personal, and career goals • GST 101: Strategies to Academic Success Required first semester for ESP students • Cultural and Educational Trips • ESP Achievement Scholarship
Office of First-Year Initiatives (FYI) 2006 2009-2010 2016 Pilot Program, ACES Began creating an FYE FYE transitioned into (Academic Connection, identity on campus. new office space and Engagement, and new name (FYI) Success)
Office of First-Year Initiatives (FYI) • New Student Orientation • Academic Transition Support • First-Year Student Intervention • Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) • Berea Bridge • Summer Success Experience (SSE) • Teaching Assistant/Peer Learning Program • Family Engagement
The Collaboration between Emerging Scholars Program and the Office of First-Year Initiatives
The Office Merge Fall 2016 Emerging Scholars Program integrated with the Office of First-Year Initiatives In 2015, FYE wrote a vision for FYI director advocated for ESP to the new FYI office to bring all be under the office because of a programs under one office. shared vision and history.
Examination of GST 101: Strategies for Academic Success
GST 101: Strategies for Academic Success Purpose Goals Students will build skills to support • The overall purpose of this their academic success course is for students to develop the skills and abilities that are necessary for academic and Students will improve academic skills personal success in college and beyond. This class will focus on Students will explore and interests assisting first-year students in and abilities and how these relate to major and career. navigating transitions as well as developing and fostering positive self-identity, self-advocacy, and Students will integrate into the self-management. college community by connecting with classmates, staff, and faculty. Students will increase knowledge and utilization of campus services.
GST 101: Strategies for Academic Success Basic Information • Required for First-Year Students enrolled in ESP • Taught by an Academic Counselor • .25 credit hour • 50 minutes, 1 day a week Service-Learning • One of five sections • Random Placement Course Topics Time/Self Study Skills • • Management Course Planning • Goal Setting Personal • • Motivation Responsibility • Academic Skills Campus • • Financial Literacy Resources • Identity Awareness Future Planning • •
GST 101: Strategies for Academic Success Redesigned Model Other First-Year Transition Support: GSTR 110/GSTR 210/GST 150 (all FYS) • Optional for all first-year students TA/PL program (all FYS) Berea Bridge (select FYS) • Total of 320/430 first-year students interested course Male Initiative Course (select FYS) • African American • Currently 245 students are enrolled Appalachian • 76 ESP and 169 FYI sections. Latino Black Male Initiative (select FYS) • Total of eight instructors S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Students United to Create Cultural and Educationally Successful Situations (select FYS) Bonner Scholars (select FYS)
Strengths on Bridging the Gap between TRIO and FYI
Strengths on Bridging the Gap ESP works directly with the Office of Academic Vice President Additional financial support ESP brings instant traffic with 1/5 of first-year student population Advertise programming
Benefits for TRIO Students and Staff Members to be Included with other First-Year Programs
Benefits for TRIO Students and Staff Members Staff Students • Physical and structural proximity • Holistically experience being involved with other first-year students • Sharing information on students for interventions • Ability to be in the know of FYI events • Easier to add/drop students from classes or request students to move to • Enhances involvement on campus part-time status • More institutionally direct with the • Voice on programming ideas to Dean and other higher administration change campus culture on campus • Attend professional development opportunities
How to Collaborate with TRIO Programs on Your Campus?
Collaborate with TRIO on Your Campus Begin with close consultations with the TRIO program on your campus Know your TRIO staff and their skill-set Make sure that your TRIO and FYE program have a shared mission Create strategic partnerships with various campus and community partners Seek staff and faculty development opportunities
Long-term Planning for the Office of First-Year Initiatives
Ongoing Challenges Student participation in first-year events Establish an identity with first-year students that we are their primary resource FYI campus location Creating more ways to utilize office space for student led programs ESP staff bound to grant regulations
Moving Forward Building a closer partnership with Student Life Growing our programs and collaborating more with campus partners and faculty Marketing First-Year Initiatives (FYI) on campus Engaging with our incoming students and families through Livestream chats Target programming for Transfer Students
Questions? Ashyya Robinson Student Engagement Specialist Emerging Scholars Program Office of First-Year Initiatives robinsonas@berea.edu | 859-985-3376 Jazmine Thompson Coordinator of First-Year Programming & Family Engagement Office of First-Year Initiatives thompsonjaz@berea.edu | 859-985-3376
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