Ohio’s Promising Practices Essential Transfer Practices State Meeting 04/12/17

Background An analysis of the data compiled over the past 10 years by the Higher Education Information System indicates that there are both regional and institutional variances in the effectiveness of Ohio’s articulation framework as it provides opportunities for transfer students degree completion goals.

Background Ohio and National data indicate a number of factors impact transfer students degree completion rates Location Size Proximity to transfer destination Regional student mobility Inter-Institutional cooperation Staffing The Questionnaire opens the door for dialog in these areas.

Committee Charge The committee, composed of 2 and 4 year college and university representatives, through a combination of national research, statewide discussion with stakeholders and surveys, will develop and provide an inventory of best and most promising practices that can be shared and implemented statewide. This will provide each college and university a comprehensive overview of processes for increasing transfer student degree completion.  

Committee Action Committee recommended a questionnaire be developed and distributed to all Ohio pubic 2 and 4 yr Institutions to ascertain best practices aimed at transfer student degree completion Questionnaire was develop and approved by committee December 2016 Questionnaire was sent via Survey Monkey to all public Colleges and Universities January 2017 Results compiled and initial analysis began late February and is ongoing

Committee Action Questionnaire was designed around 10 categories identified through research and national literature review Replies were of both a quantitative and qualitative nature

Core Transfer Framework Outreach Credit Transfer & Application Pathways & Partnerships Web/Social Media Orientation Advising Institutional Environment Partner Collaboration Financial Assistance Data Sharing

1.Outreach (the process by which your institution promotes and encourages transfer applications) Question 1: Does your institution actively reach out to potential transfer students to promote transfer? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 90.2% 37 No 9.8% 4 If yes, which methods are most effective? Describe: 34 answered question 41 skipped question 3

1. Outreach Common Unique Use social media in all forms (email, twitter, Facebook, email, etc) Host application days for specific majors Unique Falcon Express-Owens/BGSU concurrent enrollment program (Owens/BGSU) Outreach through 6 community college partners on 20 community colleges (OU) Established a Transfer and Nontraditional Student Center focused on transfer and returning students (WSU)

2.Credit Transfer & Application (the timing and process by which students are officially notified as to how previous coursework has been accepted) Question 2: Do you have a process to provide transfer students with an unofficial copy of the acceptance and application of transfer coursework prior to admission?   Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 46.2% 18 No 53.8% 21 answered question 39 skipped question 5

2. Credit transfer & application Common Provide unofficial evaluation of transfer coursework as part of pre-admissions process  Unofficial degree audit showing how transfer coursework completes program & major requirements Unique Evaluation of all transcripts submitted with the students receiving personalized communication for the next steps. (Shawnee State)  During pre-advising the Admission’s Office provides students with transfer “estimates” to allow for a good sense of applicability (KSU)  

3.Pathways and Partnerships (the process by which articulation agreements are initiated, developed and monitored) Question 3a:  Are Pathways developed jointly with faculty from both sending and receiving Institutions? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 87.2% 34 No 12.8% 5 answered question 39 skipped question

Pathways and Partnerships (the process by which articulation agreements are initiated, developed and monitored) Question 3b: Are they reviewed on an Annual basis? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 46.2% 18 No 53.8% 21 If no, how often? 23 answered question 39 skipped question 5

Pathways and Partnerships (the process by which articulation agreements are initiated, developed and monitored) Question 3c: Is there a point person? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 94.9% 37 No 5.1% 2 answered question 39 skipped question 5

3. Pathways and Partnerships Common Faculty from both sending and receiving institutions involved in all aspects of the agreement. Agreements are in force for a specific time and reviewed on an annual basis Unique Established a cross-departmental team to work on streamlining & improving all aspects of the transfer process (WSCC) Program Director of the University Partnership responsible for new partnership programs and articulation agreements (Lorain CCC)  

4.Web/Social Media (how potential and accepted transfer students are integrated into the college/university via various forms of social media)   Question 4: Do you use social media to connect transfer students to the institution? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 66.7% 26 No 33.3% 13 If yes, please explain what types and how they are used. 21 answered question 39 skipped question 5

4. Web and Social Media Common Unique Use Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Etc. to attract and inform prospective transfers Purchase advertising through a variety of media platforms to targeted markets Unique Center for Pathways, Advising & Student Success launched  a transfer App usable on any mobile device (U.C.) Admission Advisors & students offer online chats through OHIO Facebook (OU)

5.Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution)   Question 5a: Does your institution provide a dedicated orientation for transfer students? Is the Orientation mandatory for all transfers? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 39.5% 15 No 60.5% 23 answered question 38 skipped question 6

Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5b: Does your institution offer a version of a First Year Experience course for transfer students? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 21.1% 8 No 78.9% 30 answered question 38 skipped question 6

Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5c: Is the Orientation mandatory for all transfers? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 26.3% 10 No 36.8% 14 N/A answered question 38 skipped question 6

Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5d: Does your institution offer a version of a First Year Experience course for transfer students? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 21.1% 8 No 78.9% 30 answered question 38 skipped question 6

5. Orientation Common Unique Specific orientations are developed and available for transfer students   Versions of a Freshman Year Experience course are available but not required Unique Creation of a transfer orientation through CPASS for all incoming transfer students prior to fall semester - (UC) All transfer students with freshman status are required to attend the Transfer Program and complete the KickStart web-based component (KSU) All new students enrolled in the first-year experience course must meet with a counselor and establish a completion plan (Tri-C)

6.Advising (by what process are students assisted in monitoring their degree completion progress and how are advisors kept current in all aspects of transfer related issues.)   Question 6a: Are transfer students assigned to specific “transfer advisors “or to a transfer advising team? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 31.6% 12 No 68.4% 26 answered question 38 skipped question 6

Advising (by what process are students assisted in monitoring their degree completion progress and how are advisors kept current in all aspects of transfer related issues.) Question 6b: Are advisors updated relative to state and institutional transfer policy and new partnership information on a consistent basis? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 86.8% 33 No 13.2% 5 answered question 38 skipped question 6

6. Advising Common Formal update and training sessions held on ongoing basis to convey institutional & state policy and procedural changes  List-serves provide current information in a real-time basis Cross-institutional meetings for advisors to review, discuss and make recommendations relative to transfer issues Unique A campus-wide Undergraduate Advisors Council meets monthly. (WSU) Every student is assigned to a specific counselor or success coach. (Lorain CCC) Each college within the university has a dedicated advisor focused on transfer students and each transfer student is assigned a Success Coach. (UT) Since nearly 50% of our transfer students are Distance Learning, the university is working to enhance web-based student services, including the creation of assessment tools that measure DL learning readiness (UC)

7. Institutional Environment (the commitment through all levels of the institution that transfer students and their success are an integral part if the Strategic Enrollment Management plan.) Question 7a: Do policies and procedures view native and transfer students equitably? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 84.2% 32 No 15.8% 6 answered question 38 skipped question

Institutional Environment (the commitment through all levels of the institution that transfer students and their success are an integral part if the Strategic Enrollment Management plan.) Question 7b: Are there specific activities and organizations that help connect transfer students to the college/university and faculty? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 68.4% 26 No 31.6% 12 If yes, please explain 24 answered question 38 skipped question 6

Institutional Environment (the commitment through all levels of the institution that transfer students and their success are an integral part if the Strategic Enrollment Management plan.) Question 7c: Do the various departments involved in different aspects of the transfer process receive updates that help coordinate their activities and do they meet on a consistent basis? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 76.3% 29 No 23.7% 9 Please explain 23 answered question 38 skipped question 6

7. Institutional Environment Common Cross institutional departments meet on a scheduled basis to receive updates. Advisors are updated consistently during the academic year Outreach & welcome activities help transfer student integrate into the university culture Sponsor Student to Student organizations for transfer students Unique In a multi-campus system, each campus had a Transfer Center. (Tri-C) Transfer Pathway Program, for key articulation partners, provides special services for students (CSCC) The Ohio Transfer Ambassador Program, an official student organization for transfer students. (OU) The Transfer Advisory Council is a student led organization within the Student Success Program. Become (KSU)

8. Partner Collaboration (the level and process by which institutions interact to ensure mutual understanding of issues impacting transfer issues)   Question 8: Does your institution interact with partner institution’s faculty, staff and administrators in the process of development, maintenance and curriculum alignment of agreements as well as issues related to fostering student success? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 89.2% 33 No 10.8% 4 answered question 37 skipped question 7

8.Partner Collaboration Common Provide workshops for advisors from community colleges  Offer presentations to community college classes about options for bachelors degree completion All articulation agreements with community colleges are done in collaboration with faculty & advisors from the university & partnership college Unique Cleveland Foundation funding, through the Higher Education Compact, for a university and community college to explore using predictive analytics (Tri-C) Center for Pathways Advising & Student Success will oversee the development and maintenance of all articulation agreements (UC)  

9. Financial Assistance (providing students with comprehensive financial information and funding opportunities)   Question 9: Is a process in place to provide transfer students with a comprehensive Financial Aid plan needed to complete their program without exceeding federal guidelines? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 48.6% 18 No 51.4% 19 If no, please explain what type of financial advising students receive. answered question 37 skipped question 7

Financial Assistance (providing students with comprehensive financial information and funding opportunities) Question 9b: Are there specific institutional or other scholarships available for transfer students? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 67.6% 25 No 32.4% 12 answered question 37 skipped question 7

9. Financial Assistance Common All transfer students are provided with a comprehensive letter explaining the financial aid award package One-on-one appointments are available with financial aid advisors. Scholarships available specifically to the transfer population. Unique Students receive advising from both two and four-year college and partner university financial aid advisors (CSCC) The inclusion of the Student Financial Aid Office in the orientation program has proven to be very beneficial for students and families (KSU) Offers a tuition-only Completion Scholarship to students, with less than 12 credit hours to finish their degree. (Sinclair CC)

10. Data sharing (data related to transfer student profiles, progression metrics and completion that is routinely shared with partner institutions)   Question 10: Does your institution have a process in place to regularly share information with partner institutions relative to transfer student success and progression? Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Yes 32.4% 12 No 67.6% 25 answered question 37 skipped question 7

Common Unique 10. Data Sharing No Common practice on data sharing was presented Unique University Partnership offers an information luncheon that includes all staff responsible for admission and transfer, includes faculty & administration for the college and participating universities (Lorain CCC) Institutional Research regularly runs retention reports on transfer student profiles and graduation rates- (UC) The university shares reverse transfer information to Ohio’s community colleges . (OU)

CCRC Essential Transfer Practices Core Transfer Framework Prioritize Transfer Create Clear, Rigorous Program Pathways Provide Tailored Transfer Advising Build Strong Transfer Partnerships Outreach Institutional Environment Credit Transfer & Application Partner Collaboration Pathways & Partnerships Financial Assistance Web/Social Media Data Sharing Orientation Advising

How they fit together Provide Tailored Transfer Advising Create Clear Program Pathways Provide Tailored Transfer Advising Build Strong Transfer Partnerships Prioritize Transfer 1. Outreach 3. Pathways & Partnerships 2. Credit Transfer & Application 8. Partner Collaboration 4. Web/Social Media 10. Data Sharing 5. Orientation 7. Institutional Environment 6. Advising 9. Financial Assistance