The Blinn Transfer Enrollment to A&M (TEAM) Program Kriss H. Boyd, Ph.D. Executive Director General Academic Programs Texas A&M University Michael J. Yeater, M.S.T. Director, Academic Advising & Counseling Center Blinn College Russ T. Graves, Ph.D. Director of Programs General Academic Programs Texas A&M University

Overview Background Basics Benefits Breakdown Lessons Learned K

Background K

Factors that facilitated TEAM A&M operating at maximum capacity Increasing number of applicants Corresponding increase in denial of qualified applicants Large number of Blinn transfers History of close collaboration TEAM partnership signed June ’01 Partnership renewed June ’06 K

Basics 2-year program Requirements for automatic A&M admission: –45 Blinn credit hours –15 A&M credit hours –3.0 GPR at each school Students co-enroll in 1 or 2 A&M courses & the rest at Blinn. Students may compete for early transfer admission Students who do not gain full admission via TEAM or transfer processes become eligible for readmission as A&M former students. M

3 Methods of Admission from TEAM: 1.Transfer 2.Complete TEAM - 45 Blinn hrs / 3.0 GPA - 15 A&M hrs / 3.0 GPA 3. Readmission R

TEAM students meet all freshman admission requirements –Selected from the pool of qualified regular applicants How the Freshman Admission Process Works: –Top 10% applicants automatically offered admission –Other qualified applicants reviewed –Admission offers extended to > 12,000 –The most qualified [2,000] applicants remaining placed on the Wait List, and/or considered for Blinn TEAM –After confirmations received, some Wait List applicants may be fully admitted (based on the freshman class target size) –Approx. 1,000 of those remaining on Wait List offered TEAM –600+ applicants expected to accept TEAM offer Basics R

Benefits (to students) -Four-year university experience -Advising at both schools -Use of facilities at both schools -Financial Aid eligibility -A&M dorm residence -A&M sporting events -Blinn tuition savings -Blinn smaller class sizes -Blinn Associate Degree -Student activities at both schools --Fish Camp, Corps, etc. M

Benefits (costs) TEAM Student (15 hrs) Blinn (10 hrs) Tuition $680 Fees 300 TAMU (5 hrs) Tuition 883 Fees 701* TOTAL $ 2,564 A&M Student (15 hrs) Tuition $ 2,648 Fees 1,157* TOTAL $3,805 TEAM Students may save > $1,200 per semester *Fees represent minimum estimate Fall 2010 M

Benefits (to A&M) Admission of quality students who would have otherwise been denied Increased lower division enrollment without decreasing upper division capacity and resources Places A&M in a leadership role in seeking creative ways of admitting transfer students— TEAM is a unique program in Texas –State Legislature Interested –Queries from universities outside Texas K

Benefits (to Blinn) –Collaborative partnership with a major university Unique status among State community colleges –Admission of academically prepared students Improves classroom learning environment Contributes to Blinn having the highest transfer rate to four- year schools –Increased enrollment M

Breakdown K

R

R

TEAM is in its 10 th year Three-fourths of students matriculate to A&M State transfer rate – 32% Blinn transfer rate – 52% 1,225 have graduated from A&M to date - 65% graduation rate with Latin Honors; 10% of graduates Twice nominated for the THECB Star Award 750 TEAM freshmen projected for Fall 2011 –Will bring total participants since 2001 to 5,000 K

Examples of TEAM Student Leadership & Involvement Corps of Cadets Aggie Band Ross Volunteers Student Government Fish Camp Counselors Yell Leader Fraternity President ASSIST Mentors Blinn Ambassadors R

Lessons Learned Need for a partnership must exist. Support and commitment of governance boards and administration is critical. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Blinn College Board of Trustees Presidents, chief academic officers, chief student affairs officers, deans, department heads Designate a leader from each institution. Establish guidelines to facilitate communication among partners. K

Lessons Learned Identify critical issues early: Admissions Faculty resistance Co-enrollment issues (financial aid) Technology interfaces Implementation Committee Admissions Subcommittee Academic Affairs Subcommittee Student Affairs Subcommittee Financial Aid Subcommittee Oversight and Coordination Committee initially responsible for periodic evaluation This can be subsequently delegated M

Blinn TEAM Program QUESTIONS? Kriss H. Boyd, Ph.D. Executive Director General Academic Programs Texas A&M University Michael J. Yeater, M.S.T. Director, Academic Advising & Counseling Center Blinn College Russ T. Graves, Ph.D. Director of Programs General Academic Programs Texas A&M University