NJ STARS AT ACCC Recruitment & Retention Strategies for NJ STARS at Atlantic Cape Community College Presented by Gina Skinner, Director of Admissions & College Recruitment College Board Regional Forum, Atlantic City, Friday, February 15, 2008

 Program started in 2004 by State of New Jersey in an effort to keep “best and brightest” students in State.  Students must have placed into the top 20 percent of their N.J. high school class by the end of their junior year.  Students can move into top 20 percent during their senior year and still qualify.

 Student MUST apply for financial aid.  All grants/scholarships are applied before STARS funding is given  Students have two years from date of high school graduation or one semester at another college/university.  Must be enrolled in at least 12 college-level credits, may be funded for up to 15 credits. Summer classes not funded.  Must attend home county college unless program of study is not available.

 Assumption: Top 20 percent of graduating class would be “college-ready” Top 20 percent of graduating class would be “college-ready”  Reality: 30 percent of STARS eligible students in Fall 2007 tested into remedial level or ESL courses. 30 percent of STARS eligible students in Fall 2007 tested into remedial level or ESL courses.  Program was tweaked to allow for this.

 Funded for up to five continuous semesters (summer excluded).  Must maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue to be eligible at the community college.  Must graduate with a 3.0 GPA and be accepted to a New Jersey State college or university to be eligible for STARS II.

 STARS stats at ACCC: Fall students Fall students Fall students Fall students  ACCC created a comprehensive report with all relevant data for tracking to ensure eligibility is maintained.

 ACCC recruitment plan: List of STARS eligible students for Atlantic & Cape May counties is received from HESAA in late November/early December (approx. 900 students) List of STARS eligible students for Atlantic & Cape May counties is received from HESAA in late November/early December (approx. 900 students) ACCC hosts an information session in early Spring, inviting all those on the list and any students the high schools identify as STARS ACCC hosts an information session in early Spring, inviting all those on the list and any students the high schools identify as STARS College website provides link to STARS information from homepage and Admissions page College website provides link to STARS information from homepage and Admissions page

NJ STARS brochure is provided at all recruitment events and Open Houses NJ STARS brochure is provided at all recruitment events and Open Houses ACCC conducts a “Jump Start” program with all the sending high schools in its service area and informs students about STARS ACCC conducts a “Jump Start” program with all the sending high schools in its service area and informs students about STARS Publicity throughout local area supports recruitment activities Publicity throughout local area supports recruitment activities Admissions has one staff member assigned to work with incoming STARS Admissions has one staff member assigned to work with incoming STARS

Second mailing done in late Spring to those on the list who have not yet applied “It’s not too late to enroll as a STAR” Second mailing done in late Spring to those on the list who have not yet applied “It’s not too late to enroll as a STAR” Admissions staff member follows up personally with all who applied and have not yet enrolled Admissions staff member follows up personally with all who applied and have not yet enrolled Third mailing done around Thanksgiving to those who might have attended another college but are still eligible for STARS Third mailing done around Thanksgiving to those who might have attended another college but are still eligible for STARS

 Application process: Admissions Office processes application and codes student with an entry term, creating an application cohort. Admissions Office processes application and codes student with an entry term, creating an application cohort. Student is added to STARS list, which is run weekly for college staff members Student is added to STARS list, which is run weekly for college staff members Registration hold is placed on student so that he/she must meet with counselor and register in person Registration hold is placed on student so that he/she must meet with counselor and register in person

State sends letter to all STARS eligible students encouraging them to consider their local Community College State sends letter to all STARS eligible students encouraging them to consider their local Community College State website provides information and links to participating colleges State website provides information and links to participating colleges Parents/counselors are main source of information for high school students Parents/counselors are main source of information for high school students

 Enrollment/Retention Strategies: Student completes the Placement Test or provides appropriate waiver Student completes the Placement Test or provides appropriate waiver Student is assigned to a designated STARS counselor, who will monitor the student’s progress throughout their program of study Student is assigned to a designated STARS counselor, who will monitor the student’s progress throughout their program of study Counselor meets with the student to review the STARS “contract” with ACCC Counselor meets with the student to review the STARS “contract” with ACCC

Contract spells out in detail the rights and responsibilities of the student in order to maintain STARS eligibility Contract spells out in detail the rights and responsibilities of the student in order to maintain STARS eligibility Student signs the contract and is provided with a copy Student signs the contract and is provided with a copy Registration hold is removed and an enrollment term is entered, creating an enrollment cohort. Registration hold is removed and an enrollment term is entered, creating an enrollment cohort. Student continues to meet with counselor to plan classes but is free to register or drop/add Student continues to meet with counselor to plan classes but is free to register or drop/add

Student must apply for financial aid every year and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 Student must apply for financial aid every year and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 Enrichment program offered to students who fall below the required GPA Enrichment program offered to students who fall below the required GPA Advent of STARS II in 2006 has generated much more interest in the program Advent of STARS II in 2006 has generated much more interest in the program Student who meets all criteria could earn a four-year degree at minimal cost by staying in State. Student who meets all criteria could earn a four-year degree at minimal cost by staying in State.

 STARS issues: Labor intensive process that requires dedicated resources Labor intensive process that requires dedicated resources Students not always fully aware of importance of maintaining eligibility Students not always fully aware of importance of maintaining eligibility Resistance to attending a community college Resistance to attending a community college Unanticipated issues continue to need State interpretation Unanticipated issues continue to need State interpretation Getting a true count of STARS Getting a true count of STARS

 STARS contacts at ACCC: Gina Skinner, Director of Admissions & College Recruitment, , Gina Skinner, Director of Admissions & College Recruitment, , Linda McLeod, Assistant Director of College Recruitment, , Linda McLeod, Assistant Director of College Recruitment, , Sue Weisgerber, Financial Aid Office Coordinator, , ext.5276, Sue Weisgerber, Financial Aid Office Coordinator, , ext.5276, Hal Lugerner, Counselor, , Hal Lugerner, Counselor, ,