from access to success: principles and best practices for supporting minority students october 31,...

From Access to Success:

Principles and Best Practices for Supporting Minority Students

October 31, 2005 ~ Columbia, Maryland

Welcome and Introductions

Contacts

Ronald H. Brown

Vice President for Student Affairs

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Student Service Center 2169

1 Backbone Road

Princess Anne, MD 21853

Phone: 410.651.2200

rhbrown@umes.edu

Scott E. Evenbeck

Dean, IUPUI University College

815 W. Michigan St., UC 3163

Indianapolis, IN 46202

Phone: 317.274.5032

evenbeck@iupui.edu

Tiffany Beth McMillan

Director of Retention

Morgan State University

Banneker Communications Center, Room 304

Phone: 443.885.3651

tmcmillan@moac.morgan.edu

Agenda• Welcome and Introductions (Gardner)

• Principles (Evenbeck)

• IUPUI• Faculty• Curriculum• High Expectations

• Morgan State University (McMillan)• Peers• Co-Curricular Interventions• Attention to Financial Aid and Development

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Brown)• Providing Feedback• Family and Community Involvement and Support• Developmental Education

• Discussion

• Closing Comments

Principles Associated with Increased Academic Achievement and Persistence

Faculty

The critical role of faculty and means of increasing their engagement/early warning systems, required attendance, and other means of increasing faculty engagement.

Curriculum

The centrality of the curriculum/first-year seminars, learning communities, etc.

High Expectations

The fundamental and essential need for communicating and supporting high expectations / how can you communicate and support success, a climate of success, communication and interactions with persons who are similar, specific naming of expectations, celebrations of success.

Peers

The critical role of peers in supporting student success/mentoring and other programs.

Co-Curricular InterventionsThe critical role of being intentional about out-of-class learning as well as in-class learning/residence hall programs, SAAB chapters, NSBE, etc.

Attention to Financial Aidand Employment

The importance of effective financial aid strategies with low income and first generation students / attention to work and possibilities of on-campus work.

Providing Feedback

How can you improve if you don’t know where you are / where can you do this / is it really working? How do you know?

Family and Community Involvement and Support

The critical importance of involving parents and family members as well as connecting with the community.

Developmental Education

Importance of links with K-12 and between two- and four-year institutions and providing contexts of academic support for students.

FacultyIUPUI

Scott E. Evenbeck, Dean

IUPUI University College

FacultyIUPUI

• Faculty are central to the University

• Faculty demystify the university experience

Faculty in University CollegeIUPUI

• Faculty governance

• Faculty Roles, Responsibilities, and Rewards

• Faculty participate on Instructional Teams

Faculty DevelopmentIUPUI

• On-the-job training

• Mentoring

• Grants Programs

• Faculty Fellowships

CurriculumIUPUI

First Year SeminarsIUPUI

• Embedded in Learning Communities

• Taught by Instructional Teamsa) Facultyb) Student Mentorc) Librariand) Advisor

Learning CommunitiesIUPUI

• Paired Courses

• Thematic Learning Communities (TLCs)

Gateway CoursesIUPUI

• Attention to courses with high enrollments for entering students

• Couple faculty development with academic support

• Importance of assessment and feedback

Principles of Undergraduate LearningIUPUI• Core Communication and

Quantitative Skills• Critical Thinking• Intellectual Depth, Breadth, and

Adaptiveness• Integration and Application of

Knowledge• Understanding Society and

Culture• Values and Ethics

High ExpectationsIUPUI

Importance of Highlighting Academic AchievementIUPUI

• Frequent communication

• Highlighting achievements

• Dean’s List

• Chancellor’s Scholar

• Events

• Celebrations!

Morgan State UniversityOffice of Student Retention

Dr. Tiffany Beth McMillan, DirectorDr. Tiffany Beth McMillan, Director

Peers:** Morgan State University Programs **

PACE ProgramPACE Program

Academic Academic Enrichment ProgramEnrichment Program

Academic Academic Development CenterDevelopment Center

Pre-College ProgramPre-College Program

ACCESS-SUCCESS ACCESS-SUCCESS Summer ProgramSummer Program

Peers: Morgan State University

** PACE Program ** six week summer six week summer

program program first-time freshman first-time freshman

engineering majorsengineering majors 50 summer 2005 student 50 summer 2005 student

participantsparticipants 10 peer tutors10 peer tutors tutors: major in tutors: major in

engineering and “A” engineering and “A” grades in MATH 241 & grades in MATH 241 & 242242

learning communitylearning community placement in Calculus Iplacement in Calculus I

Peers: Morgan State University

** The Academic Enrichment Program ** 20 tutors peer tutors20 tutors peer tutors new computer labs, new computer labs,

tutorial labs, seminars, tutorial labs, seminars, workshops and other workshops and other programming available to programming available to students in residence hallsstudents in residence halls

tutors available for the tutors available for the courses English 101, courses English 101, English, 102, Math 109, English, 102, Math 109, Math 113, Biology 101, Math 113, Biology 101, Chemistry 101, and other Chemistry 101, and other courses according to courses according to demanddemand

available to on-campus available to on-campus and off-campus and off-campus undergraduate studentsundergraduate students

Peers: Morgan State University

** The Academic Enrichment Program ** computer labs in Blount Towers, computer labs in Blount Towers,

Cummings House, Harper/ Cummings House, Harper/ Tubman House, O’Connell Hall & Tubman House, O’Connell Hall & Rawlings HallRawlings Hall

labs open to students on M–Th labs open to students on M–Th 10am – 12 midnight, Friday 10 am 10am – 12 midnight, Friday 10 am - 8 pm, Saturday 12 noon - 8 pm & - 8 pm, Saturday 12 noon - 8 pm & Sunday 12 noon - 12 midnightSunday 12 noon - 12 midnight

computer skills workshops computer skills workshops conducted for Word, Excel, conducted for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and the PowerPoint, Access, and the InternetInternet

Academic Enrichment Academic Enrichment Workshops conducted in the Workshops conducted in the residence halls on study skills, residence halls on study skills, time management, note taking, time management, note taking, stress management, and exam stress management, and exam preparationpreparation

Peers: Morgan State University

** The Academic Development Center **

campus-wide tutoring campus-wide tutoring programprogram

tutors: minimum cumulative tutors: minimum cumulative GPAs of 3.5 GPAs of 3.5

20 tutors work 20 hours per 20 tutors work 20 hours per weekweek

tutoring center, open Monday-tutoring center, open Monday-Friday from 9am –5pm and by Friday from 9am –5pm and by appointmentappointment

tutoring available for all tutoring available for all required coursesrequired courses

focus on Freshmenfocus on Freshmen walk-in visits encouragedwalk-in visits encouraged

Peers: Morgan State University

** Pre-College Program **

students fall below minimum students fall below minimum admission requirements/ admission requirements/ participation is a condition of participation is a condition of their enrollmenttheir enrollment

six week summer bridge programsix week summer bridge program three semesters in the Freshman three semesters in the Freshman

Studies curriculum (maximum of Studies curriculum (maximum of 13 credits)13 credits)

students take developmental students take developmental classes in the summerclasses in the summer

students receive individual students receive individual tutoring in the summer tutoring in the summer

students participate in workshops students participate in workshops to develop work habits, study to develop work habits, study skills, stress management, etc…skills, stress management, etc…

Students are mentored and Students are mentored and monitored in the Fall and Spring monitored in the Fall and Spring semesterssemesters

Peers: Morgan State University

** ACCESS-SUCCESS Summer Program ** six week summer bridge six week summer bridge

programprogram 185 summer 2005 student 185 summer 2005 student

participantsparticipants 15 peer tutors15 peer tutors ratio 15:1ratio 15:1 meet with tutors 5 days a meet with tutors 5 days a

weekweek tutors: a minimum tutors: a minimum

cumulative GPAs of 3.0 cumulative GPAs of 3.0 and “A” grades in courses and “A” grades in courses of focusof focus

Peers: Morgan State University

** ACCESS-SUCCESS Summer Bridge Program ** six week program since six week program since

Summer 1999Summer 1999 students are residents of the students are residents of the

State of Maryland, meet State of Maryland, meet minimum admission minimum admission requirements, but have SAT requirements, but have SAT scores below 1000scores below 1000

no cost for students’ summer no cost for students’ summer tuition, fees, room, board, and tuition, fees, room, board, and booksbooks

summer class placement summer class placement determined by students’ results determined by students’ results on the Freshman Placement on the Freshman Placement ExaminationExamination

students earn grades of “C” or students earn grades of “C” or better in all summer classes; better in all summer classes; failed classes repeated in the failed classes repeated in the FallFall

ACCESS-SUCCESS Summer Bridge Programs 1999-2003: Monitoring & Tracking

23% of the 1999 cohort 23% of the 1999 cohort graduated at the end of four graduated at the end of four yearsyears

74% of the 2000 cohort earned 74% of the 2000 cohort earned 90 or more credits at the end of 90 or more credits at the end of 4 years of matriculation4 years of matriculation

64% of the 2001 cohort retained 64% of the 2001 cohort retained at the end of three years and at the end of three years and 95% have cumulative GPAs of 95% have cumulative GPAs of 2.0 and above2.0 and above

69% of the 2002 cohort retained 69% of the 2002 cohort retained at the end of two years and 85% at the end of two years and 85% of the 2002 cohort earned of the 2002 cohort earned cumulative GPAs of 2.0 and cumulative GPAs of 2.0 and aboveabove

70% of the 2003 cohort retained 70% of the 2003 cohort retained and 85% of the 2003 cohort and 85% of the 2003 cohort earned at least 24 credits at the earned at least 24 credits at the end of one yearend of one year

ACCESS-SUCCESS Summer Bridge Programs 1999-2003: Monitoring & Tracking

increased ACCESS-increased ACCESS-SUCCESS retention rates SUCCESS retention rates directly correlated with:directly correlated with:

the eight week the eight week summer experiencesummer experience

additional academic additional academic preparationpreparation

superior academic superior academic advisementadvisement

tutoring servicestutoring services systematic systematic

monitoringmonitoring

Co-curricular interventions: Morgan State University

** The Morgan MILE Program **

The Male Initiative on The Male Initiative on Leadership & ExcellenceLeadership & Excellence

Began in the Fall of 2004Began in the Fall of 2004

75 male student participants75 male student participants

Goals are to:Goals are to: Build a sense of community Build a sense of community

among malesamong males Inspire academic and personal Inspire academic and personal

confidenceconfidence Motivate academic successMotivate academic success Develop an appreciation for Develop an appreciation for

diversitydiversity Encourage civic responsibilityEncourage civic responsibility Improve personal relationshipsImprove personal relationships Develop leadership skillsDevelop leadership skills

Co-curricular interventions: Morgan State University ** The Morgan MILE Program **

Fall Leadership Fall Leadership retreatsretreats

Leadership Leadership Conferences at Conferences at Indiana UniversityIndiana University

Alternative Spring Alternative Spring BreaksBreaks

Services Learning Services Learning ExperiencesExperiences

Open HousesOpen Houses Study SessionsStudy Sessions

Morgan State University Office of Student Retention** Attention to Financial Aid & Employment **

Financial Aid CampaignFinancial Aid Campaign

Retention goal: Retention goal: to to increase students' increase students' awareness of the awareness of the financial aid process in financial aid process in order to improve their order to improve their compliance with compliance with financial aid deadlines, financial aid deadlines, policies, and procedurespolicies, and procedures

Morgan State University Office of Student Retention ** Attention to Financial Aid & Employment **

Financial aid probationFinancial aid probation

Retention goal: Retention goal: to work to work in collaboration with the in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid to Office of Financial Aid to reduce the number of reduce the number of students who are not students who are not retained due to their loss retained due to their loss of financial aid of financial aid

Morgan State University Office of Student Retention ** Attention to Financial Aid & Employment **

FASFA renewalFASFA renewal

Retention goal:Retention goal: to work to work in collaboration with the in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid to Office of Financial Aid to facilitate students' facilitate students' compliance with FASFA compliance with FASFA guidelines and deadlines guidelines and deadlines in order to reduce the in order to reduce the number of students with number of students with incomplete or late incomplete or late financial aid applicationsfinancial aid applications

From Access to Success:Principles and Best Practices for Supporting Minority Students

Presenter: Ronald H. Brown, Ed.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Increased 1st and 2nd year Retention Rate

Educational Outreach and InclusionInclusion of on-campus tutoring for high

school/middle school aged students

Increased Graduation Rate

Campus visits

Constant flow of

communications

Review financialaid consideration

Intrusiveadvisement

Admission and Recruitment

PlannedMentoring

Learning Communities

UMES RETENTION PROCESS AND COMPONENTS

Pre-enrollmentadvisement

The 5 Step Feedback/Assessment Process

CommunicationCommunicationImplement Implement Action PlansAction Plans

Evaluate Students Evaluate Students and Retention Efforts and Retention Efforts

(Data Collection)(Data Collection)

Clarify Results Clarify Results (Feedback)(Feedback)

Develop Develop RecommendationsRecommendations

Educational Resources

Factors outside of the University Outcomes

Evaluate Students and Retention Efforts

(Data Collection)Assessment of Incoming Students

a) Administer the Noel Levitz student assessment instrumentb) Evaluate resultsc) Assign all students to recommended support services

Mid-term review of Student performance (All Students)

a) Review pre-mid-term support servicesb) Increase or intensify these services/efforts where

necessary

End of Semester review of performance

a) Review the end of semester performance of all studentsb) Review support services utilized during the semesterc) Increase or intensify the support services efforts for the

second semester

Parent and Community InvolvementThe Parents Association provides a vital link between the College and parents. It also:

a) promotes a better understanding of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s educational programs, policies, and goals.

b) assists in improving the lines of communication and cooperation between the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s faculty, staff, and students and their families

c) encourages parents to support the programs and activities of the University

d) promotes educational and developmental opportunities for students

e) seeks ways to personalize the relationship between parents and the College

f) provides volunteer opportunities for parents in their areas of expertise

g) improves the flow of information between College administrators and parents

Parent and Community Involvement (Continued)

Involvement of the County Commissioners and the campus

Involvement of other Community groups with the University

Developmental EducationThis component is not as well defined at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. However, the following programs are in place:

• Saturday Academy (President’s Office)

• Pilot programs with DC Caps in Washington, DC (Division for Student Affairs)

• The Upward Bound Program (Department of Education)

• The Gear Up Program (Department of Education)

• Seeking Federal funding to establish an Educational Opportunity Center in the counties that make up the Lower Delmarva Peninsula (Division for Student Affairs)

Discussion