from application to graduation: a cross- institutional approach to student retention and success...
TRANSCRIPT
From Application to Graduation:
A Cross-Institutional Approach to
Student Retention and
Success
Nicholas Gregson & Elizabeth Caldwell
Objectives of this session• Overview of UCLan– facts and figures• Some headlines around Widening
Participation and Retention• The student lifecycle • The four services:
Flying Start Fresh Start M & MsWISER
• Latest developments• Questions
University ChallengeStarter for 10
• Where does UCLan rank in the size of institution in British universities?
• How many students were at UCLan in 2008/2009?
• What percentage were 1st year students?
8th
29,108
52% (15,011)
Widening Participation @ UCLan
• Top three for numbers of students on collaborative programmes
• Partnership - reach out to individuals and communities less likely to avail themselves of a “typical” HE experience
• QAA highlighted the University’s comprehensive and effective arrangements to support students’ transitions
Participation of under-represented groups in HE: (Young full-time undergraduate entrants 2006/07)
University of Central Lancashire
% Bench-mark (%)
State schools or colleges
97.2 93.6
NS-SEC classes 4,5,6 & 7
38.1 35.9
Low participation neighbourhoods
13.5 11.8
Student experience project @ UCLan
• 34% students had seriously thought about withdrawing during their first semester
• Transition from stage one to stage two – almost as challenging as the transition to stage one
• Many students concerned they were not achieving the grades they had expected
Supporting student transitions:
4 Central Retention Initiatives
4 Central Retention Initiatives
• Funded from a central retention budget• Managed by Learning Development
Unit• Physically located in various areas of
the university:– M&M & Fresh Start – Student services– Flying start – LDU– WISER – Languages & International Studies
• Regular evaluation and monitoring
• Residential & non residential summer school • Build social networks, local orientation,
examine expectations, UCLan support systems
• Enhances retention by 15% in Year 1• Less likely to change course• Make friends more easily• Twice as likely to pass 1st Year• Parents for Progression
• 5 Programmes:– Preston & Burnley – Mentoring – Well-Being (mental and emotional)– Sport (physical health)– Futures (employability )
• 16 out of 18 schools use the centralised peer support service
• 1% increase in APM• No students failed
• Study skills support for all students at all levels
• Runs throughout the academic year
• Workshops and 1:1 tutorials
• Workshops correspond to student life cycle
• Support, advice and guidance to help students return to study at UCLan.
• Withdrawn, intercalated, wrong course, failed, pass but don’t return
• Explore motivation, research courses & establish career paths
• Fresh start induction event & mentoring• 672 students: 20% gained an award, 29% still
enrolled , 51% no longer enrolled
Integrated approach
• Student self-referral• Students engage in multiple initiatives• 40% of mentees say the main skill
developed through mentoring was ‘exam and assignment preparation’
• Mentors have become course reps, student ambassadors, SLOs, Student Interns and staff in student services
Embedding into UCLan’s culture
• Flying Start induction packs: work with schools
• Raising awareness: students can excel despite a poor start
• Tutor referrals to all services • Mentors contribute to induction events
& pre-sessional courses
Embedding into UCLan’s culture
• WISER working with academic staff• Collaborative curriculum design• Bespoke workshops • Staff development sessions• Sharing of materials
Current developments
• WISER - school bespoke study skills provision
• Flying Start – Induction – Ice Breakers for academic staff and/or mentors
• M&Ms - New referral pathways – school based
• Fresh Start – New reporting system for “students at risk”
Graduation
Induction
WISER
Questions
ContactsLDUPam [email protected]
Flying StartVikki [email protected]
Fresh StartDebbie [email protected]
WiserNicholas [email protected]
Karen [email protected]
M & MDeborah [email protected]
References• Abrahamson, M. & P. Jones (2003) Empowering under-represented
students to succeed in higher education: initiatives in early engagement at a post-1992 university. F-A-C-E Conference Proceedings 2003 Available from: http://www.face.stir.ac.uk/documents/paper107-PeterJonesR.pdf [accessed 24/11/90]
• Cook, V. (2009) The Flying Start Bridging Project: University of Central Lancashire. F-A-C-E Conference Proceedings 2009.
• Loveday, D .(2009) Second chances for students. Pp198-214 in Cook, A. & B. Rushton (eds.) How to Recruit and Retain Higher Education Students: A handbook of good practice. Routledge.
• National Audit Office (2007) Staying the course: The retention of students in higher education. London: National Audit Office.