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? 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
Nationally….. 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 . 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
Fall 2017 Transfer Students at Appalachian State University 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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
Office of Transfer Services Director Administrative Assistant (FT) Administrative Support (PT) Associate Director Assistant Director Transfer Jump Start (Engagement & (Credit Evaluation Transition Advisor Coordinator Retention) & IT) Credit Evaluators (2) 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
App’s Transfer Retention & Graduation Numbers 1 st Year Comparison Fall Cohort All Transfer NCCC Transfer Retention Retention 2016 85.8% 86.4% 89% 2015 86.5% 86.7% 87% Fall Cohort Graduation 2 Year Graduation 3 Year Graduation 4 Year Graduation 6 Year 2013 16.1% ( ALL TR) 54.4% (ALL TR) 71.1% (ALL TR) 18.2% (NCCC TR) 54.7% (NCCC TR) 69.3% (NCCC TR) 53% (1 st Year) 73% (1 st Year) 2011 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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” 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
Data Tracking • Departments are tracking transfer student use – Counseling Center – Student Learning Center • Academic Coaching • Tutoring – Student Legal Clinic – Early Intervention Team 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
How do you collaborate? 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
Questions? Kim Morton Appalachian State University mortonka@appstate.edu 828-262-7437 10/22/17 Office of Transfer Services
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