Community Colleges A Valuable Partner in Student Success Sherrie Knop Licón Director of Student Retention Central Arizona College

Overview Introduction and today’s news Benefits of community college (Sometimes unknown) Resources Available at the Community College Reverse Transfer

Community College

Benefits of Community College Easier transition for students Small class sizes Quality of instruction Low tuition Open door admission

Benefits of Community College

Benefits of Attending a Community College Easier transition for students Small class sizes Quality of instruction Low tuition Open door admission

Common Student Learning Outcomes (CSLO) Cultural and Civic Engagement Participate in diverse environments while demonstrating global citizenship and social consciousness Integrative Knowledge Identify, comprehend, apply and synthesize facts, concepts, theories and practices across broad and specialized knowledge areas Personal and Professional Skills Demonstrate skills which enhance personal and professional development Reasoning Skills Inquire and analyze to solve problems, draw logical conclusions, or create innovative ideas

Tips for Student Success

(sometimes unknown) Resources Transition Programs TRIO Student Support Services : TRIO Summer Bridge:

Why TRIO?

Transition Programs STEM: WIOA: Title V Step Up to Success: University Transfer Centers Course Placement Boot Camp/Math Prep Programs

(sometimes unknown) Resources On-Campus Housing Central Arizona College – Coolidge, AZ Yavapai College – Prescott, AZ Arizona Western College – Yuma, AZ Eastern Arizona College, Thatcher, AZ Cochise College, Douglas, AZ

Reverse Transfer (4 yr. to 2 yr.) National Student Clearinghouse Study – 1.3 million students 14.4% of first-time university students enrolled at a two-year institution outside of summer months Only 16.6% of these students returned to their original institution 71.1% remained in a two-year institution for more than one term By end of 6 year study period, two-thirds of these students had neither a credential from nor were still enrolled at a four-year institution Only 1 in 10 of the students who left completed a degree or were still enrolled at original institution

Reverse Transfer (4 yr. to 2 yr.) 77.5 percent of students who began at a four-year institutions, enrolled in summer courses at a two- year, then returned to their initial institution successfully completed a degree Students who did not also attend a two-year institution – only 58.4 percent completed a degree at their institution of origin.

Why the churn? Academic difficulty Financial challenges Homesickness, transition from HS to college First-generation Seeking practical, applied degrees or learning opportunities Personal fit

Challenges Unfamiliar structures Deal with bureaucracy of not one, but two or three institutions *social/cultural capital formed during this time Internal vocabulary Perceptions of reverse transfer Self-talk is sometimes VERY LOUD – I couldn’t handle university, will I be able to handle a new institution, new people, etc.? *what was learned from the experience? How can we value this knowledge

How can we help? 1. First, determine the end goal. a) Bachelors, Associate’s, Certificate? 2. Create a plan. 3. Help the student to see daylight at the end of the tunnel. 4. Engage and Empower Partner Discussion What are your experiences with reverse transfer students?

How can we help? Group Discussion What are strategies we as professionals can employ to ensure improve completion rates of reverse transfer students?

Questions? Sherrie Knop Licón Director of Student Retention Central Arizona College