Building bridges and pathways to success from admission to the first day of class. Three proven onboarding techniques that support student success Carol Alleyne, Ed.D., City University of New York, Queensborough Community College Bil Leipold, Ed.D., Rutgers University - Newark Adam Rockman, Ed.D., City University of New York, Queens College James Salnave, Ed.D., City University of New York, LaGuardia Community College Tuesday, March 6 (8:00 AM - 8:50 AM) Convention Center, Room #118 A Introductions We will introduce ourselves with this opening slide

Presentation overview Definition of onboarding Pillars of successful onboarding planning Three proven strategies Creating an implementation plan ADAM Points of discussion for presentation

What is onboarding? A process that institutions employ to acculturate new students into the campus community. Onboarding focuses on a strong student welcome; guiding students to a path of sustained development and growth; ensuring that the student transitions smoothly into the campus community as an engaged member. ADAM Ask the audience how they define onboarding – ask for a few volunteers (show title line only) We highlight our definition (the second bullet), but we use the first bullet as an example of how others may define it

What are the goals of onboarding? Create excitement about being a part of the campus community Make critical connections to campus resources Prepare students for academic success Create and nourish the students’ identity with the college ADAM

When is the appropriate time to begin the onboarding process? Pre-application Application Acceptance Commitment Orientation/Convocation ADAM Think/Pair/Share

Three pillars for a successful onboarding plan Acculturation Collaboration Resources Acculturation Collaboration Resources CAROL A successful onboarding plan consists of these main components: Acculturation – helping the students transition to and understand the campus community – this includes policies/procedures, student life, school spirit, etc. Resources – the financial, human capital, Collaboration – Gaining the buy in from other departments and divisions, where others take ownership Closing the slide: The pillars are dynamic and is a 3d process it is not linear, none can be skipped, they are all interconnected (ADAM) Retention success academics, reducing academic dishonesty, its setting the stage for studetn retention success and completion, providing the armor for studegnts to get through

Three proven onboarding techniques FOUR proven onboarding techniques Three proven onboarding techniques Create opportunities for students to connect Implement a communication plan Minimize barriers Indoctrinating traditions CAROL Overview of techniques BONUS! Instilling traditions

Create opportunities for students to connect Peer to Peer Community Staff & Faculty JAMES Have each box pop up individually in the animations. (James) Peer to peer – creating the small group interactive opportunities where students can learn from each other, build community and build a network for success. These are the things that happen during club day/club fair, orientation, welcome week, new student convocation etc. Residence Halls – community service, research opportunities Peer to Staff & Faculty – research opportunities, building the network for opportunities for internships, research, experiential learning, co-curricular programs Peer to Community – community service, being a responsible member of the community, VAWA, title IX, drug & alcohol policies, bystander training etc. There is overlap among the connection points listed – it is a network for student success! Collaboration Resources Acculturation

Implement a communication plan The right message, at the right time, to the right audience Appropriate, clear, and concise language JAMES (CAROL WILL JUMP IN!) Identify key stakeholders i.e. students, parents, faculty, staff, administration etc. (across departments and divisions) and be sure to send the right message to the right person at the right time. First generation etc. For example - If you are communicating with new students, avoid acronyms and higher education jargon. Gunning fog index is a free tool that measures the reading level (by school grade) of the text Say it different ways, but conveying the same message Collaboration Resources Acculturation

Minimize barriers Minimize complexity of application and/or enrollment process Provide resources to engage parents and other supporting family members JAMES i.e. minimize the number of visits a newly accepted student will make to complete their enrollment/registration steps Support the parents/family members and they in turn can better support the student. i.e. parent newsletter, parent portal, family events etc. Enrollment checklist will ALL of the steps listed for students from the moment of pre-application/application/ or acceptance Let people opt out for anything that’s not mandatory Connecting parents to resources and each other. Ensuring the parents and family members are getting access to their own onboarding. Stewards of success! Collaboration Resources Acculturation

Instilling traditions Symbolic representation of membership Integral to establishing identity Common experience to foster sense of belonging, community, and ownership ADAM Reframing Organizations - Bolman and Deal – symbolic frame Collaboration Resources Acculturation

Creating an implementation plan Identify the primary onboarding objectives Decide on an onboarding technique(s) Identify key partners across departments/divisions Assessment CAROL Identify your goals – what do you want to achieve – helping students make social connections with each other? Inform them of the academic support available? Connect them with faculty? Help them understand process/procedure for registration? Etc. Decide on the technique(s) that will support the primary goal(s) Identify key constituents across departments/divisions Design learning objectives/outcomes that are measurable for assessment. Set baseline measures and realistic outcomes for future assessment Are students still enrolled/engaged after a semester, year, etc. Have retention rates changed? Do students demonstrate identity? Collaboration Resources Acculturation

QUESTIONS? Carol Alleyne, Director of New Student Engagement, calleyne@qcc.cuny.edu Adam Rockman, Vice President for Student Affairs, arockman@qc.cuny.edu James Salnave, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement, jsalnave@lagcc.cuny.edu CAROL Identify your goals – what do you want to achieve – helping students make social connections with each other? Inform them of the academic support available? Connect them with faculty? Help them understand process/procedure for registration? Etc. Decide on the technique(s) that will support the primary goal(s) Identify key constituents across departments/divisions Design learning objectives/outcomes that are measurable for assessment. Set baseline measures and realistic outcomes for future assessment Are students still enrolled/engaged after a semester, year, etc. Have retention rates changed? Do students demonstrate identity? Collaboration Resources Acculturation

Thank you for joining us today! Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference. See you in Los Angeles in 2019!