Finish Line Program & Experiential Learning Credit (ELC) Tracy Robinson Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning Meet Me at the Finish Line: Helping Adult Students and Comebackers Graduate with Credit for Prior Learning Ashley Coffer and Tracy Robinson

A degree completion program, launched in the fall 2013 semester, that re-recruits stop outs who were close to finishing their first bachelor’s degree #nacada17

Objectives of the session to explain how the program started to share results experienced to date to realize how Credit for Prior Learning opportunities can reduce cost and time to degree for all student populations #nacada17

Who we are of Memphis Public institution 21,500 students SACSCOC 250 areas of study Photo Credit: UM Photographer, New Student Convocation 2016

Our students 30% are adult students 30% part time 30% living on campus 30% are working 35% taking online classes 80% receive financial aid Photo Credit: UM Photographer, August 2016 Commencement

Something happens … #nacada17

Timeline #nacada17 2011 Back on Track 2013 Exp Counts Oct 2013 Finish Line August 2014 39 grads August 2015 123 grads August 2016 258 grads August 2017 390 grads #nacada17

Finish Line Program Criteria Senior standing (90 + credit hours) One semester stop-out period Overall grade point average of 2.0 #nacada17

Rationale It is the RIGHT thing to do! It just is. Boosts public perception of institution Increases retention and graduation rates Adds 80 - 100% premium to funding formula for each adult and/or Pell recipient 1 80% 1.8 1 100% 2 #nacada17

Results: 390 graduates Funding formula equivalent: 750 Average Age 36 GPA 2.6 Only 11 Hours needed!! Cost of $1,800 300 students in progress 60 students graduating by December #nacada17

48% 68% 71% First Generation Students Underrepresented Minorities Low income Students #nacada17

Institutional Data Mining Outreach Institutional Data Mining Referral Sources Website Inquiries #nacada17

www.memphis.edu/finishline

Scholarship/ Hold Release Solutions Approach Barriers Solutions Filing for Graduation Prior Learning Scholarship/ Hold Release Fresh Start Internal Policy/ Practice Inflexible requirements Financing/ Balances Academic Standing #nacada17

Scholarship Opportunity Completion Concierges Messaging: Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated Prior Learning Change Elements Scholarship Opportunity Completion Concierges #nacada17

Course Completion Strategies SUBSTITUTIONS GRADE CHANGES Thorough review of transcript and catalog requirements Revise or complete missing coursework TUITION COURSES LOW COST OPTIONS Schedule alternate times/sessions and delivery modes Explore all forms of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) #nacada17

http://www.memphis.edu/priorlearning/

CPL: Credit by Exam Standardized Exams Institutional Exams CLEP DSST In policy only Underutilized Unstandardized #nacada17

Meet Andy Took CLEP exam for American Government Savings of $1,100 Immediate Gratification #nacada17

CPL: Portfolio Opportunity for students to develop a portfolio of their learning experiences Students complete 7 module, online portfolio development course Faculty member evaluates portfolio for academic credit #nacada17

Meet Michael Completed Portfolio Development course Awarded 18 hours of credit Savings of $5,850 and 3 semesters #nacada17

CPL: Pre-Assessed Experiences The Saylor Academy Diverse offerings Faculty reviewed Open enrollment #nacada17

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CPL: Allies Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) www.cael.org American Council on Education (ACE) www.acenet.edu National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) http://www.nationalccrs.org/ #nacada17

Getting started Reality check Get the right message Start small Tell the stories Gain support #nacada17

Gaining support FINISH LINE #nacada17 College Business & Finance Institution Development Scholarships President #nacada17

National Clearinghouse Cautions Speed bumps Overwhelming National Clearinghouse #nacada17

“The Finish Line program has been a true blessing “The Finish Line program has been a true blessing. I have landed a job at a prestigious brokerage firm, which has allowed me to provide for my family. ” - Kendra “I start graduate school next month. None of this would have ever been possible without Finish Line.”  - Mary “I am very grateful for the opportunity to finally finish my degree requirements and earn my diploma after 34 years. This is very important to me in so many ways.” - Steve “In the face of all the reasons adults want to give up, I was able to see it to the end because of the compassion and consideration of your program.” - Karin

Please remember your session evaluations. Questions? ASHLEY COFFER TRACY ROBINSON apcoffer@memphis.edu tracy.robinson@memphis.edu 901.678.7366 901.678.5077 www.memphis.edu/finishline finishline@memphis.edu Please remember your session evaluations. Session C237 #nacada17