AZTransfer Summit Onboarding Transfer Learners Presented By: Terri HayesBrenda Sutton Executive Director of Enrollment Director of Strategic ManagementInitiatives

Onboarding Transfer Learners Today we hope to: Demonstrate why NAU incorporated an online orientation into the enrollment management process Share the value of maintaining momentum after the learner is admitted Describe key elements of our orientation

How many of you here today already have an onboarding process for newly admitted learners? How many of you here today are thinking about implementing an onboarding process for newly admitted learners?

NAU Extended Campuses Transfer Student Population Average age of 32 75% female 60% part-time 73% work full- time

Enrollment Management is about helping learners make decisions.

It’s Not Just About Getting them Admitted…. Lead Applicant Admit Enroll Retain Graduate Structured Recruitment Process Structured Student Support

Maintaining the Momentum Reinforce brand promise Solidify their decision to start Communicate how to do business with us/next steps Live the ‘brand’ you shared with the learner; begin the retention process

What to Do?

Research Current Best Practices

Outside Groups and Organizations WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies – Student Success Common Interest Group (CIG) National ACademic ADvising Association – Best practices in student onboarding and orientation

Outside Groups and Organizations continued (formerly the National Orientation Directors Association) “A successful orientation program minimizes anxiety about the college transition………. This is the institution’s opportunity to demonstrate how it will deliver on the promises that were made during the recruitment phase.” “Orientation is the bridge that connects recruitment and retention strategies together. Without an effective orientation program, efforts to bring the right students into the institution, as well as the ability to retain them, will be jeopardized.”

Onboarding Models Continuum Wide Range of Options Required Credit Based Fee charged In Person No Onboarding Required before enrollment Online Access 24/7/365 Standardized Applicable to all students

What We Did Assembled a work group Identified essential goals Determined features of onboarding experience Outlined deployment plan

Goals of Onboarding 1. Available for learners to complete at their convenience 24/7

Goals of Onboarding 2. Standardized information that is applicable to all learners “NAU is the best thing that could have happened to my nursing

Goals of Onboarding 3. Required of all learners

Goals of Onboarding 4. Provides information that helps a learner understand how to do business with us

Goals of Onboarding 5. Confirms that a learner completes the online orientation and attends to the information presented Completed

Goals of Onboarding 6. Provides for learner evaluation of program as part of our continuous improvement process

Goals of Onboarding 7. Embedded into our LMS 8. Provides immediate direction as to learner’s next step

Goals of Onboarding 9. Appeals to a cross-section of learners 10. Allows the learner to return at any time

Goals of Onboarding

Onboarding Topics/Modules Introduction/Welcome to EC Academic Advising How to Enroll

Onboarding Topics/Modules Paying for College Student Resources Other Academic Tools Keys to Success

Deployment of Onboarding Share with all of our staff Start out small Optional but recommended Review early results and feedback from learners Determine start date Communicate ‘step’ to learners Watch the process/monitor the learner engagement/timeline

Results 92% strongly agree/agree that the subject matter is relevant and useful for a new student 83% strongly agree/agree that the time spent completing the orientation was appropriate 90% strongly agree/agree that the content was well explained

Learner Comments “I can’t wait to get started. I know I made the right decision to continue my studies with NAU.” “I think the orientation did a great job of addressing all of the basic information. Since we are directed to speak with advisors next, they would cover any additional questions I have.”

Session Goals Demonstrate why NAU incorporated an online orientation into the enrollment management process Share the value of maintaining momentum after the learner is admitted Describe key elements of our orientation

Onboarding Transfer Learners QUESTIONS? Brenda Sutton Director of Strategic Initiatives Terri Hayes Executive Director of Enrollment Management