Orientation, Transition & Retention at Rural-Serving Institutions Brett L. Bruner Director of Transition & Student Conduct Fort Hays State University Kimberlie Moock Director of New Student & Family Programs & Military Assistance Center Eastern Illinois University Michelle Nightingale Director of Student Success Services Tompkins Cortland Community College 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference Overview Learning Outcomes What? So What? Town-Gown Relationships Diversity Serving Students Now What? Lessons Learned Along the Way 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference Learning Outcomes As a result of participating in this educational session, participants will: Define a rural-serving institution of higher education. Identify 2 orientation, transition and/or retention challenges at rural-serving institutions. Identify 1 new strategy to support orientation, transition and/or retention at their rural-serving institutions. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference What? Regional, comprehensive, public university 4,500 students Located in Hays, KS (population ~ 20,000) 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference What? Regional comprehensive university 7,000 students Located in Charleston, IL (population ~ 21,000) 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference What? Small, rural, residential community college 2,670 students Located in Dryden, NY (population ~ 14,000) Middle of farm country, but located about 30 minutes from the two smaller cities, Ithaca NY and Syracuse NY Located about 4 hours drive from New York City – draw many students looking for the “college experience” but they are sometimes shocked to see cows and deer outside their bedroom window Residence life, just over 800 beds (about ¼ of our population lives on campus) so unique from most commuter community colleges 2016 NODA Annual Conference

What? Rurality by U.S. Census Bureau Urbanized Areas (UAs) of 50,000 or more people Urban Clusters (UCs) of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

What? A Rural-Serving Institution A challenging definition Primarily services rural areas Rural area – defined by governmental agency of the state U.S. Code 20 USC 1161q Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

What? A Rural-Serving Institution Centers of educational opportunity Neighborhood schools of higher education Representative & inclusive of their communities Leading regional centers for cultural & fine arts in rural America Create opportunities in place Rural Community College Alliance. (2016). Why rural community & tribal colleges matter. Retrieved from http://www.ruralccalliance.org/ Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference What? Rurality of Us Size of community 50,000 25,000 Minutes to an urban area 120 240 Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference What? Rurality of Us Size of community 50,000 25,000 Number of students 10,000 20,000 Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

What? Advantages of Rurality Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

So What? Town-Gown Relationships Critical transition points Effects on retention How does this programming fit in an orientation gap? Lynch, L. (2014). Rural postsecondary institution attributes and their relationship to minority student enrollment, graduation, and completion (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

So What? Diversity & a Sense of Place Critical transition points Effects on retention How does this programming fit in an orientation gap? Lynch, L. (2014). Rural postsecondary institution attributes and their relationship to minority student enrollment, graduation, and completion (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Lack of a central definition Trying to define what “rural” is, in a nation of such diverse geography, can be a daunting task; and one’s concept of the term can be a bit ambiguous and vague. Particularly, in this age of instant communication, when a Montana rancher can access the New York stock market quotes from his laptop, miles from the nearest town, defining rural becomes more of a subjective term than what is defined by Webster’s. There are three government agencies whose definitions of what is rural are in wide use: the U.S. Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They and other organizations continue to strive for more precise definitions to fit new programs as the demographics of the United States are constantly changing. The number of rural counties fluctuates over time, and disparities with old designations continually exist.   The need for a clearer definition to meet the needs of new programs and new policies has encouraged other agencies to create more detailed definitions such as found in the collaboration between the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center and the Economic Research Service of the USDA. Agencies involved with rural health and human services will continue to evolve and adapt themselves, striving to better serve the needs of the rural population, for what is rural today will most likely change as we move on into the new millennium. Why do we need a Definition? Rural is an inexact term that can mean different things to different people. For example, what is considered rural in a state with low population density, like Montana, may not resemble what is considered rural in a state with a much higher density, like Massachusetts. However, for specific purposes there is a need for exact definitions of what is meant by “rural.” One example of this need is determining eligibility for Federal rural grant programs. Even though the concept of rurality is elastic, funding agencies and organizations have to draw a line somewhere; and communities on one side of that line are eligible while those on the other side are not. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

So What? Serving Students Critical transition points Effects on retention How does this programming fit in an orientation gap? Lynch, L. (2014). Rural postsecondary institution attributes and their relationship to minority student enrollment, graduation, and completion (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Programming – 2016 NODA Annual Conference

Now What? Implications for Future Research 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference Lessons Learned Partnering with your local community is key for rural-serving institutions. Inform your students of what is available within the local community. Establish a sense of place. Define how your institution presents itself in terms of rurality to determine the influence on OTR. 2016 NODA Annual Conference

Orientation, Transition & Retention at Rural-Serving Institutions Brett L. Bruner Director of Transition & Student Conduct Fort Hays State University blbruner@fhsu.edu Kimberlie Moock Director of New Student & Family Programs & Military Assistance Center Eastern Illinois University kamoock@eiu.edu Michelle Nightingale Director of Student Success Services Tompkins Cortland Community College mrn@tc3.edu 2016 NODA Annual Conference

NODA Annual Conference 2016 NODA Annual Conference