Rider Achievement Program A student centered progression Advising Locally, Thinking Globally NACADA June 9, 2009 Mary Beth Carstens, Associate Director, Student Success Center

Today’s Agenda Rider Achievement Program Assessment and Support Participants Components Goals Requirements Assessment and Support Retention and Academic Success Discussion

RIDER UNIVERSITY private, coeducational, nonsectarian university located in central New Jersey Four schools and colleges: the College of Business Administration; the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Sciences; the College of Continuing Studies; and Westminster College of the Arts 60 undergraduate programs; 21 graduate programs Fall 2008 Enrollment 6,011 students 3958 are Full time UG (freshman class b/w 900 and 1000) 833 are Part time UG 1220 are Graduate Student/Faculty Ratio 13:1.   Mascot—Broncs   School colors—Cranberry and white

RIDER ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM Support that makes a difference Information taken from RAP Fact Sheet sent with acceptance letter: Why was I admitted through the Rider Achievement Program? Real success in college and career requires that the individual fully realize his or her potential. You were admitted through RAP because your academic record shows that you possess promise to succeed at Rider by taking advantage of the features of RAP that are designed to help you develop your talents and skills. What is RAP? The Rider Achievement Program is a unique academic program offered through Rider’s Student Success Center, where you are empowered with the strategies needed to be an independent and successful learner. RAP offers first-year students a highly specialized learning experience and is designed to give motivated students the assistance and guidance to achieve. How does a student successfully complete RAP? To successfully complete RAP and matriculate to a Rider University major, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 at the end of your freshman year and successfully complete the Freshman Seminar course.

PROGRAM INFORMATION First Year Program Undeclared major in Liberal Arts or Business 4 courses in fall semester REQUIREMENTS: Coaching meetings – at least 3 in first semester Tutoring – minimum of 3 times (many take full advantage of support that is offered) Must fulfill all Freshman Seminar requirements, which include coaching meetings

Student Support Network Program Goals To assist students with: Transition to college Acquisition of study strategies Establishment of strong community

PROGRAM COMPONENTS Four Main Components of RAP Summer Bridge Program Linked Community of Learners Success Coaching Peer Assistance Program

SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM A student’s bridge to success Takes place the week before school begins Great opportunity to meet fellow students and transition into the Rider community Mix of academic work with community-building activities “The Summer Bridge Program is the perfect opportunity to begin coping with pre-college anxiety.” - RAP student, Class of 2010, Irvington, NJ

LINKED COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS LINKED COURSES Connections through readings, assignments and academic support Fall 2009 Links: College Reading and History Expository Writing and History Psychology and Business Intro to Expository Writing and Psychology All linked with Freshman Seminar “RAP has not only helped me succeed in college, it has made me realize what I need to do in order to succeed in the future.” -RAP student, Class of 2011, Medford, NJ

SAMPLE FALL SCHEDULE 12-13 credits 1st semester Placement: Introduction to Expository Writing, College Reading Student is an undecided Liberal Arts major and intends a Psychology degree. FALL SEMESTER Course Schedule: NCT 010 Freshman Seminar (pass or fail – 10 weeks - 0 credits) LINKED WITH Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) Introduction to Expository Writing (3 credits) College Reading (3 credits) History (3 credits) TOTAL CREDITS: 12 Math typically not taken in first semester

FRESHMAN SEMINAR 10-week seminar for all Rider first-year students RAP Freshman Seminar Topics Include: Week #1 Syllabus review and expectations, assignments, What’s Rappenin’ and survival kits Week #2 Awareness Day show and tell What’s your learning style? Week #3 Facebook Party Game – Career Exploration Week #4 Time Management Week #5 Everything that You Wanted to Know About Rider, But Were Afraid to Ask… Week #6 TARA (diversity workshop) Week #7 Course Scheduling Week #8 Stress Management Week #9 Money Management Week #10 Wrap up, reflection, evaluation, celebration “The RAP program has been my big sister since I started. The staff gave me positive reinforcement and genuinely cared about my progress here at Rider.” - RAP student, Class of 2008, Toms River, NJ

ACADEMIC SUPPORT Student Success Center (SSC) Professional and Peer Tutoring Content Tutoring Peer-assisted study sessions Small group and individual tutoring and Supplemental Instruction Help students gain academic independence Address concerns regarding content in specific courses Writing Lab Individual tutoring by professionals/peers in writing, reading comprehension and study strategies Study strategy workshops Tutor training programs are nationally certified Math Skills Lab Provides Math Skills Lab (MTH 100S) for Liberal Arts, Science and Education students who do not meet placement criteria for college level mathematics Offers tutoring in the Liberal Arts, Science and Education math areas "RAP made a huge impact on my life and is the reason why I am succeeding with my college years." - RAP student, Class of 2011, Old Bridge, NJ

SUCCESS COACHING Each RAP student is assigned a RAP Success Coach (also Freshman Seminar Leader) RAP Coach - helps students to assess transition concerns, academic progress, and tutoring needs Examples of possible referrals: Tutoring Services, Counseling Center, Services for Students with Disabilities Career Services, Student Organizations “The Rider Achievement Program gave me personal and academic guidance during my first year of college. It made my transition from high school to college less stressful by providing me with an abundance of information and support.” - RAP student, Class of 2011, Point Pleasant, NJ

COACHING TOPICS Coaching expectations: Meet individually with students within first 2 weeks of class, pre-break and post-break – and any other times as needed. Meet as a seminar leader group to discuss how things are going, develop strategies for classes, coaching, etc. Set up meetings during first seminar and ask students to bring course syllabi and calendar Initial Conversation (get to know), semester expectations review, course schedule review, goal setting Intro yourself, your background. Ask questions of student – where from, high school experience, etc. Revisit program requirements Review current course schedule How are things going on campus – in your residence hall? With your roommate? Are you interested in getting involved in any organizations? Developing a Semester Plan Review course syllabi and calendar Goal setting exercise Set up tutoring

COACHING TOPICS (cont.) Pre-Break Meeting What’s working, what isn’t working, what do you need? Begin spring course scheduling discussions Continue conversation about courses and upcoming papers, exams, quizzes Review calendar Review goals and strategies for success Discuss tutoring Life on campus check-in Post-Break meeting - gearing up for second half of semester Revisit goals and strategies for success Spring course scheduling

ACADEMIC INTERVENTION AND CELEBRATION Mid-semester progress reports from faculty members RAP Coach and/or Associate Dean of Freshmen assist immediately in the event of a poor report Additional supports are quickly put into place Spring semester: tiered system of requirements and REACH Program for students on academic probation Summer Course Grant for students in good academic standing RAP Completion Grants 2.75-3.00 GPA - $1,000 3.00-3.50 GPA - $1,500 3.50-4.00 GPA - $2,000 Academic Success Reception in Spring “The Rider Achievement Program was the perfect middle road between the safety of home and the ability to let my son fly. RAP has proved to be a vital step in his independence. I knew that RAP was there (and continues to be there) to support him as he grows in confidence.” - Parent, Class of 2011, Old Bridge, NJ

PEER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM “Our Peer Assistants showed us the ropes and helped us all throughout the year.” - RAP student, Class of 2009, Dayton, NJ PAs are student leaders trained in areas such as community building and resource referral They meet with their group of RAP students during the Summer Bridge Program and throughout the first year They also co-coordinate RAP freshman seminars and social and educational events for the students. Sample of events: Halloween Party Coffeehouse featuring RAP talent “Relay for Life” fundraiser Final Exam study breaks

ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT Surveys Summer Bridge Freshman Seminar/Mid Semester End of Semester Focus Groups in spring semester GPA and Retention statistics RAP Advisory Committee

NEW INITIATIVES SOPHOMORE PROGRAM Workshop Topics Study Abroad MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Resume and Letter Writing Networking for Personal and Professional Success Interviewing Preparation Events and individual meetings Individual meeting and tutoring needs based on GPA

Retention and Academic Success Retention (over the past 5 years): Year prior to program changes: 62% Post changes – average of past 4 years: 78% GPA (over the past five years): Average GPA increased from 2.26 to 2.64 Percentage of students with less than 2.00 GPA has decreased from 27% to 7% Percentage of students with 3.00 GPA or higher has risen from 13% to 25%

Thank you! DISCUSSION Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions. mcarstens@rider.edu or 609-896-5328