Higher Learning Commision

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description

Presentation for Higher Learning Commission Conference on the Graduation Project at UW Oshkosh

Transcript of Higher Learning Commision

Page 1: Higher Learning Commision
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Presenters

Ruth A. FreiburgerDirector, Adult Non Traditional

Resource (ANSR) Office

Martin TadlockAssistant Vice Chancellor,

Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement

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Purpose of the Graduation Project • Help former UW Oshkosh students complete their

baccalaureate-level studies

• Increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders in Wisconsin

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This Fall UW Oshkosh enrolled 12,669 students. Hidden withinthose numbers are the stories of:

• 67 students currently enrolled in the University through the Graduation Project (Spring 2009 Enrollment)

• 105 students who completed their undergraduate degrees at UW Oshkosh through the Graduation Project over the past two years

• 365 students in the pipeline exploring ways to complete their degrees

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Wisconsin Facts• In top 10 states in high school graduation rate

• 5th in percentage of high school graduates who immediately enroll in college

• 7th in the nation for its high percentage of associate degree holders

• 35th in percentage of bachelor’s degree holders in adult population

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Problem• 35th in the nation is not good!

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Growth Agenda – Is there a “brain drain”?• Wisconsin needs 70,000 more adults with a bachelor’s

degree to reach the national average

• Major reinvestment is necessary to help restore quality

• Graduation Project is one of these efforts

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Graduation Project Pilot 2004

• Idea of Chancellor – Richard Wells

• Test the water

• Establish contact

• Graduate nondegree completers

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The Beginning – Outreach• Registrar and Graduation Examiners

identified “low hanging fruit”

• Stopped out in last six years

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better

• 15 or less credits left

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The Beginning – Communication• Admissions and Academic Advising

• Sent letter to first group with new STAR reports and academic plans

• Students responded to advisors

• Effort was time-consuming and understaffed

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Graduation Project 2005• ANSR Office assigned project/new staff

added

• ANSR Office sent invitation to students

• Student mentors worked with GP students

• STAR reports were developed by academic advisors after students responded

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Marketing• Graduation Project website

http://www.uwosh.edu/graduationproject wiki: gradproject.wetpaint.com

• Project brochure

• New phase letter sent out annually

• Resend letter to earlier year students with brochure

• Follow-up

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GP operates out of the ANSR Office• 1.0 Project Appt. – Outreach Specialist dedicated to GP

• 2 student mentors @ .25 FTE – dedicated to GP

• .25 Academic Advisor – dedicated to GP

• ANSR Program Assistant – as needed

• ANSR Director

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Personal Contact• Information, pre-advising and friendly follow up = essence

of project

• Follow up, follow up, follow up

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T.K.

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Assess Needs• Students respond to invitation to return

• Intake form gets the process started

• Advisors make new academic plan

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Assess Needs• Choose available campus and format

for class

• Special issues: appeals, repeating classes, probation, suspension and applying for academic amnesty

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Assess Needs• Transcripts

• Financial Aid

• GP Scholarship

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Campus Process• Track GP students with database indicators

• Team up with other campus offices for meetings to problem solve, discuss relevant issues and policies

• Help students find courses and complete paperwork

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Important Policies• Course Repeat policy

• Academic Amnesty

• Credit for Prior Learning

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Benefits• New online and hybrid course development

• Collaboration with Center for New Learning

• Special distance students – GP and other NTS

• Solve unique problems

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M.M.

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Benefits• Increases faculty buy-in

• Get training to teach online and develop new skill

• Get paid for online training

• Able to teach courses above department allotment

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Benefits• Creates direct personal connection for

students to get re-enrolled

• Adds new degree completers each year

• Instills hope!

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Evaluation• Numbers of students who respond

• Numbers enrolled

• Numbers graduated

• Satisfaction

• Exit interviews/survey

• Survey to build on collaboration efforts

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Funding• Committee on Baccalaureate Expansion (COBE)

funded for two years (06-07), $75,000 per year, total of $150,000

• President of UW System, Dr. Reilly, funded for two years (07-09) at $100,000 per year, total of $200,000 at UW Oshkosh Chancellor’s request

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Scholarships• Privately funded scholarships from alum

and long-term donor

• Need based

• Recommended by Project and Provost

• No state funds for scholarships

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Target Enrollments• Groups of students targeted for re-enrollment to complete their

degree are broken into phases relating to year of last enrollment at UW Oshkosh

Phase Year of Last Enrollment

Target (approximate number)

Phase 1 & 2 2004-2005 342 former students

Phase 3 2006 605 former students

Phase 4 2007 100 former students

Phase 5 2008 410 former students

(including contacts from Phase 1 & 2)

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Graduation Project by the Numbers• 365 have responded to the invitation from all phases

• 116 have graduated – 105 from UW Oshkosh, 11 from other institutions

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Accomplishments• Happy campers!

• More baccalaureate holders for university and state

• GP “counted” on UW stats, percentages, etc.

• New online courses to help GP and other NTS

• Visibility – helps students know where to start

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Limiting institutional issues• Time lag in getting STAR reports

• Limited number of online classes

• Limited number of evening classes

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Limiting institutional issues• 15 of last 30 credits rule

• Catalog year – lasts 6 years

• Full time Outreach Coordinator not permanently funded

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What are the limiting issues on your campus?

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The Graduation Project re-recruits and helps former students return to complete their baccalaureate-level studies and become proud alum!

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Martin Tadlock [email protected]

Ruth Freiburger [email protected]

Graduation Project

Adult Nontraditional Student Resource (ANSR) Office

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

800 Algoma Blvd

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Phone: 920-424-1401

Email: [email protected]

Graduation Project wiki: gradproject.wetpaint.com