Meeting Transfer Student Needs Through Peer Mentorships, Transfer Housing, and Family Involvement Alyssa Mustard, Graduate Assistant for Family & Transfer Engagement, Brett Bruner, Director of Persistence & Retention,

Learning Outcomes As a result of attending this session, participants will: Identify transfer student perceptions related to student transition & its impact on identity development Articulate the benefits of a transfer student needs assessment Identify 1 new transfer engagement strategy

Students feel this because of their lack of knowledge about their new institution. In 2005 Adelman stated that there are at least 40% of students who have attended more than one institution on their path to attaining a baccalaureate degree. “Feeling like a freshman again”

According to Buyarski et al. (2011) transfer students have repeatedly expressed their concern about how difficult it is to meet new people as a transfer student.

CAS Standards for Transfer Student Programs & Services TSPS leadership should provide informational resources that are easily accessed and that address the informational needs of transfer students and their families TSPS should respect the diversity of students and their families, acknowledging the many different cultures and backgrounds represented by these individuals, and be prepared to identify resources for support both on campus and locally as needed.

Transfer Myths All transfers go to community college for two years and finish the last at a four-year school Transfer students do not want to be involved on campus Transfer students do not live in residence halls The majority of transfer students are non-traditional in age Transfer students do not connect with the university

FHSU Transfer Needs Assessment – September 2014 I feel that I fit in here 43.10% Strongly Agree25.86% Somewhat Agree I feel this institution was a good choice for me 65.52% Strongly Agree18.97% Somewhat Agree Living close to or on campus is an important part of my college experience 51.72% Strongly Agree22.41% Somewhat Agree I feel like I am a part of a community in my major/department 31.03% Strongly Agree24.14% Somewhat Agree

FHSU Significant Findings Transfer students identified MORE information on the following: 41.38% Career Development 37.93% Internships 34.48% Campus Jobs

Understanding what students need/want: “A group of transfer students who could meet once a month to talk and keep in contact of their transfer experience. A support group in a way for transfer students.” “Freshman get more immediate assistance and as a transfer junior I had to learn things all by myself which was intimidating and overwhelming.”

Working with Transfer Students Never make assumptions! Encourage students to share their histories and past experiences. Encourage students to share their goals and intentions for coming to your institution. Don’t underestimate family involvement.

How are we meeting transfer students? Tau Sigma National Honor Society for transfer students Bus trips to FHSU from community colleges Transfer Student Associates Transfer Housing

Tau Sigma National Honor Society for transfer students Who achieved high academic achievement during their first semester Encourage and promote the students involvement at FHSU

Bus Trips Community Colleges (Seward & Garden City) students – First generation – Low income Travel to Hays Campus Tours Meeting with academic departments Student Support Services

Transfer Student Associates Mentorship role will create a sense of community by creating peer to peer relationships with other transfer students Provide peer involvement and support to new transfers One on One Conversation Curriculum Suite Curriculum

Transfer Housing Preferential room assignments in suite style apartments Create a bridge between previous institution and Hays Build a network of peers with the common experience of transferring Feel academically and socially connected at FHSU Connect with campus resources and support

Applying the Transfer Engagement Principles to Your Campus Transfer Organizations/ Transfer Recruitment Tau Sigma Other Transfer HousingTransfer Peer Mentoring

Implementing your Transfer Program 1.Understand your transfer student population 2.Have a focus group of transfer students 3.Develop learning outcomes for your programs 4.Determine the start point of your TYE programs 5.Find current programs that support the TYE experience you want to create 6.Create a market campaign to package your programs 7.Find allies on your campus 8.Be realistic in terms of budget, staffing, and time 9.Educate yourself about the transfer process 10.Benchmark to see what your peer institutions are doing

Meeting Transfer Student Needs Through Peer Mentorships, Transfer Housing, and Family Involvement Alyssa Mustard, Graduate Assistant for Family & Transfer Engagement, Brett Bruner, Director of Persistence & Retention,