Languages
Pages
Legal
CAEL 2008 International Conference
Lifelong Learning: Building Pathways to Independence
Re-retaining, Re-recruiting and Re-marketing:
The Graduation Project
Presenters
Ruth A. Freiburger, Director
Adult Nontraditional Student Resource Office
Katherine N. Chase
Graduation Project Outreach Specialist
Purpose of the Graduation Project • Find ways to help former UW Oshkosh students complete
their baccalaureate-level studies
• Increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders in Wisconsin
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
Problem• 35th in the nation in the number of
bachelor’s degree holders is not good!
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 and to continue providing “brain development” solutions
• Graduation Project is one of these efforts
Graduation Project Pilot Project 2004
• Idea of our Chancellor – Richard Wells
• Test the water
• Establish support
• Now:
• Provide support
• Graduate the returnees
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
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
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
Marketing• Graduation Project website
http://www.uwosh.edu/graduationproject
• Project brochure
• New phase invitation sent out annually
• Resend invitation to earlier year students
• Follow-up
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
Personal Contact• Information, pre-advising and friendly follow up = essence of
project
• Outreach visits with students – by email, phone and in their communities
• Student mentoring – current and prospective students
• Create readiness
• Get updated STAR reports
Follow up, follow up, follow up
MATT
Assess Needs• Students respond to invitation to return
• Intake form gets the process started
• Advisors make new academic plan
• Choose campus and format for class
• Special issues: appeal, repeating classes, probation, suspension and applying for academic amnesty
Assess Needs• Transcripts
• Updated STAR report meeting with advisor
• Financial Aid
• GP Scholarship
Campus Process• Track GP students with database indicators in
PeopleSoft™.
• Team up with other campus offices for meetings to problem solve, discuss relevant issues and policies
• Help students find courses and complete paperwork
Important Policies• Policy review and revision
• Course Repeat policy
• Academic Amnesty
• Credit for Prior Learning
Benefits• New online and hybrid course development
• Collaboration with Center for New Learning
• Special distance students – GP and other NTS
• Helps solve unique problems
LISA
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
Benefits• Adds new degree completers each year
• Instills hope!
Evaluation• Numbers of students who respond
• Numbers enrolled
• Numbers graduated
• Satisfaction
• Exit interviews/survey
• New survey to build on collaboration efforts
Funding• Committee on Baccalaureate Expansion (COBE)
funded for two years (06-07), $75,000 per year, total of $150,000
• Local initiatives to get more graduates as economic driver for state
• State allocation of funds
• Competitive process – involves CAEL and faculty
Funding• 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
• Give the project a boost
• Serve as model
• Support Growth Agenda
Staffing with Outside Funding• 1.0 Project Appointment – Outreach Specialist
• .25 FTE – Academic Advisor
• .25 FTE – Student Mentor
Staffing In-Kind• Program Assistant
• Second Student Mentor
• Director of ANSR
Scholarships• Privately funded scholarships from alum
and long-term donor
• Need based
• Recommended by Project and Provost
• No state funds for scholarships
ROB
Graduation Project by the Numbers306 have responded to the invitation from all phases
86 have graduated – 77 from UW Oshkosh, 9 from other institutions
Fall 07 Spring 08 Summer 08 Fall 08
Enrolled 35 48 20 58Slated to Graduate 9 18 7 12
Graduated 9 17 6
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
NATE
Limiting institutional issues• Time lag in getting STAR reports
• Limited number of online classes
• Limited number of evening classes
• 15 of last 30 credits rule
• Catalog year – lasts 6 years
What are the limiting issues on your campus?
The Graduation Project re-recruits and helps former students return to complete their baccalaureate-level studies and become proud alum!
Katherine Chase [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: www.gradproject.wetpaint.com
Top Related