Partnering for Student Success
The Bridge to Clemson University Program
Sue WhortonClemson University
National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students
January 23-25, 2008
What will this workshop cover?
Description Bridge to Clemson Program Clemson Univ./TCTC partnership
Flaga’s (2002) model of transfer transition
Bridge Program student success and transition strategies
Advising Orientation
What will you leave with today?
Understanding of Bridge Program structure and goals
Clemson/TCTC partnership
Flaga’s transfer transition model
Programmatic initiatives for successful transition and transfer
At least one “take away” idea
What is the Bridge Program? Collaborative first-year academic and
residential life program between Clemson University and Tri-County Technical College (TCTC)
Complete first-year courses at TCTC
Seamless transfer to Clemson for sophomore year
What are the Bridge requirements?
Apply for Clemson freshman admission
Complete 30 credits with 2.5 GPA
Live in Bridge Program housing
What factors led to creation of Bridge?
High demand for Clemson degree Increase access to Clemson Affordable option Opportunity for increased
collaboration with local technical college
What are the Bridge goals?
Increase access to Clemson for qualified students
Deliver high quality first-year experience Provide opportunity to complete all
required first-year courses Prepare students for successful
transition to Clemson Connect students to Clemson
Bridge Model
Expansion &Sustainability
Assessment & Evaluation
Access to Clemson University
Internal and External Collaboration
Student Success Programs
It takes a village….
Clemson University Academic Affairs
Undergraduate Studies
Admissions Academic Advising Academic Success
Center Student Affairs
New Student Programs
Housing Parking Services
Tri County Technical College Academic Affairs
Arts and Sciences Division
Academic Advising Business Affairs Student Affairs
Office of Collaboration Admissions Registrar Financial Aid
How is Flaga’s (2002) model used? LEARNING RESOURCES
Tools utilized by students to gain information and learn about the campus environment and academic system
CONNECTINGConcerned with development of relationships with others in the academic, social and physical environments
FAMILIARITYDevelops as students internalize information they gathered and begin to feel more comfortable with their new environment
NEGOTIATINGOccurs when students adjust their behaviors and surroundings as necessary to be successful within the academic, social and physical environment
INTEGRATINGChange that results from student’s processing their academic, social and physical experiences and interactions
What assessment tools have been used?
Student Survey
Parent Survey
Review of electronic communications
Review of Bridge Program Documents
Review of grade data
Focus Group
What did students tell us? Reasons for Selecting Bridge
Provided opportunity to attend Clemson
Opportunity to use Clemson services
To attend a SC university
To be near friends enrolled at Clemson
Lower first year costs
Clemson is a family tradition
Liked the connection to Clemson
What did students tell us? Strengths
Instruction at TCTC Housing FacilityOrientationAccess to Clemson advising staff
ImprovementOrientationAcademic AdvisingSense of Connection to Clemson
How have we used the results? Orientation
Earlier placement testingAddressed registration issuesOffered two sessions
AdvisingCreated advising manualCreated course equivalency listCreated Bridge-specific worksheetsMonthly visits by Clemson advisors
How have we used the results?
Academic Support Increased SI and tutoring services
CommunicationCreation of ePortalParent newsletter
Summer Start Encouraged students needing
prerequisite courses to enroll in summer session
How have we used the results?
Connecting to ClemsonAccess to football tickets Increased communication about
Clemson events Instituted monthly all-Bridge meetings Invites to Clemson events
What will be the success indicators? Percentage of students who have
completed required first-year courses for their intended major will increase
Percentage of students who successfully complete Bridge Program requirements will meet or exceed projections
Percentage of Bridge students enrolling at Clemson for sophomore year will meet or exceed projections
What will be the success indicators? Levels of academic and social
integration will be higher for Bridge students than non-Bridge transfers
Level of student satisfaction with Bridge Program services will be at “satisfied” or higher
** Comparison Groups: Clemson FTF and TCTC University Transfer (non-Bridge) students
What are our future plans? Administer student and parent surveys in
spring 2008 Survey CU Bridge and transfer
sophomores and conduct focus groups in spring 2008
Review of persistence and graduation data Develop long-range enrollment plan for
growing Bridge Program
For More InformationSue WhortonDirector, Bridge to Clemson and Transfer Academic [email protected]
http://www.clemson.edu/prospectivestudents/undergraduate/bridge/
http://www.tctc.edu/bridge/bridge_prog.htm