Pilot New Student Orientation

Today’s Roadmap Background Orientation as part a piece of the puzzle Orientation learning objectives Overview of the in-person pilot program Assessing the program and evaluating impact Where do we go from here? Questions

Background Studies indicate that students who participate in an orientation persist from term to term and year to year at higher rates, and achieve greater success in gatekeeper courses. Institutions that make orientation mandatory for all students see increased success rates for the population at large. One Example: Since the implementation of a mandatory New Student Orientation, YVCC (Yakima Valley Community College in Washington) has seen first-quarter retention increase from 75.4% (fall 2004 into winter 2005) to 81.6% (fall 2009-winter 2010). Studies confirm what logic tells us: Give students “college knowledge” and “studentship skills,” and they will be more successful. One of the major recommendations of the CSCC Foundations of Excellence study was that we should develop and launch a MANDATORY ORIENTATION

Orientation is PART of the solution Engaging with faculty, staff, and peers while spending the day learning some “nuts and bolts” and soft skills about becoming a Columbus State Cougar is a great way to START. Disclaimer: There is a limit to the amount of information that can be received by a student in an orientation program. At orientation, students receive an introduction to many topics, and learn where/how to find additional information. Some topics may not be touched on at all, but it is our goal that students feel comfortable and confident enough to navigate the College to find the answers/assistance that they need when they need it.

Other services remain crucial for new students FAFSA workshop “Weeks of Welcome” and other engagement events BLUEPrint Workshops COLS 1100/1101, Etc.

Learning objectives 1. Provide a clear understanding of the academic goals for students, as linked to college completion 2. Highlight academic support resources, tools, and facilities, and familiarize students with the physical environment of the College. 3. Familiarize students with key elements of technology that they will be expected to employ during their academic career 4. Make clear the fee payment process 5. Articulate behavioral expectations of students at Columbus State Community College 6. Acquaint students with the campus culture and engagement opportunities to facilitate identification with, and integration within, Columbus State Community College 7. Assist parents and/or supporters in understanding the complex nature of students’ academic experience, and the role they can play in assisting and encouraging their student without relieving him/her of responsibility The New Student Orientation (NSO) package of programming and services will:

Sooooo… What did we do? Piloted a day-long pilot orientation program for over 500 (5 events with approximately 100 students per event) 2014 high school graduates. Students were invited to bring one or two members of their support team (parents, guardians, mentors, etc.), and most students brought at least one.

Soooo… What did the students do? Create their first semester schedule Learn how to navigate their college experience, including on time fee payment, using Columbus State's website and other technology resources Discover Columbus State's many academic supports services Explore opportunities to get involved in student clubs and organizations, community service projects, and learn about other ways to get involved Make valuable connections with faculty, student leaders, and campus staff Among other things, the New Student Orientation program gave students the opportunity to:

Sooooo… What did they REALLY do?

Assessing and evaluating the impact Participation numbers (parents and students) Pre and Post-test assessments and satisfaction surveys (students and parents) Percent of student attendees that register for classes Percent of student attendees that pay their fees Percent of student attendees that persist through the census date Percent of student attendees that persist through the term Term GPA Attempted vs. completed credit hours Student focus groups after first semester Additional Achieving the Dream data elements will also be monitored As related to a comparison group

Who came to Orientation? GenderNumber of studentsPercentage Male % Female % Total % DescriptionNumber of studentsPercentage American Indian/Alaskan Native10.19% Asian152.91% Black or African American % Hispanic of any race254.85% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander20.39% Two or More Races366.99% Not Hispanic30.58% Race/Ethnicity Unknown112.14% White % Total % It appears that Orientation attendees were disproportionately white, and female.

Preliminary data NumberPercentage Registered at any point % Never registered132.52% Students in the list (unduplicated)515100% NumberPercentage Currently Registered % Not currently registered % Total502100% Students Not Currently RegisteredNumberPercentage DeReg/Non-payment % Other (dropped all classes) % Total52100%

Where do we go from here? Continue to monitor, evaluate, assess, and make changes as appropriate Three Orientations scheduled to prepare graduates that plan to begin in the Spring 2015 semester Saturday, October 25 th Thursday, October 30 th Wednesday, November 12th Within two summers, scaled up to 3,000 students with a number of options for various types of students and their unique needs Working with TiER1 to develop an interactive online orientation

Questions?