Challenges in Student Recruitment, Retention & Experiential Learning Practices SERD/CSREES Project Directors Conference March 30 – April 1, 2005 New Orleans Linda L. Okiror, Ph. D. Assistant Dean School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The Challenges Retention Remediation Advisement Gatekeeper classes Institutional incongruence Career incongruence Student isolation Financial aid Experiential Learning Advisement Faculty mentoring Internships Service learning Relevance To develop an educated, professional employee for the food and fiber industry who is personally responsible and professionally committed Recruitment Agricultural awareness Career identification Job opportunities Student expectations Under prepared students Affordability

Research and Development Educators Transportation and Distribution Communications Compliance and Regulation Production Agriculture 2% of jobs in agriculture 98% of jobs in agriculture Marketing Processing Wholesale Retail Product use Recruitment Opportunity: Agricultural Awareness The Food System – From Production to the Table

Recruitment Opportunity: Personal Expectations Student Expectations Satisfactory academic progress Crystallize career and life goals Integrate into campus life Grow personally and socially

Dollar Value: Recruitment v Retention Dollar value from reduced freshman attrition: $Value of retaining one freshman to graduation = $19,136 Number of 1999 freshman lost to attrition = 234 Net loss at “graduation” = $5.1 million Dollar value at graduation from reduced freshman attrition: $10% increase in retention (23 students) = $447,782 $20% increase in retention (47 students) = $895,565 $30% increase in retention (70 students) = $1,343,347

Why do students voluntarily withdraw after the freshman year? Academic difficulty Adjustment difficulty Uncertain personal goals Weak academic commitment Financial inadequacies Isolation within the campus Personal, social and academic incongruence Retention Opportunity: Addressing the Causes of Student Withdrawal

Orientation and integration to the academic environment Pre-college programs Developmental education Study skills development Freshman seminars Academic support centers and early alert College and departmental assemblies Faculty mentoring and research Retention Opportunity: Skill Building Programs

Learning-to-Learn Program – College survival Managing personal relationships Word processing and power point Time and stress management Money management Note-taking skills - textbooks Note-taking skills – lecture Study skills Peer mentoring and tutoring Retention Opportunity: Skills Development

Retention Opportunity: Pre-College Programs Develop career and personal goals Develop college study and “survival” skills Experience college life Earn academic credits Build supportive friendships Identify with faculty

BRIDGECOHORT High School GPA 2.86 ACT Dev. Course Pass Rate 93%71% CUM GPA Freshmen Retention Rate 94%71% Student Achievement in Developmental Courses

BRIDGE (94) COHORT (138) Pass Biology First Time 47%37% Pass Biology Second Time 64%37% # Math & Science Courses* CUM GPA Two-Year Retention Rate 73%59% Freshman and Sophomore Student Achievement *Courses per student in years 1 and 2

Comprehensive documentation of the undergraduate experience: Student Skills Student Competencies Student Progress Experiential Learning Professional and personal development Curriculum alignment with program goals Retention Opportunity: Academic Assessment

Experiential Learning Opportunities Providing personal and professional relevance Advisement Course designed projects Service learning Internships Faculty personal and professional mentoring Faculty mentored research Mentoring Scholars Program Course completion rate99% Cumulative GPA 3.11 Retention rate94% Alumni in graduate 63% or professional programs

Strategic Planning: Overcoming the Challenges Short-term strategies Identification of at-risk behaviors Immediate, individualized intervention Long-term strategies Structured Extended, intensive contact Interlock with other programs Proactive engagement Qualified faculty and staff with interpersonal skills Affective and cognitive needs

Challenges in Student Recruitment, Retention & Experiential Learning Practices Questions? Linda L. Okiror, Ph. D. Assistant Dean School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff