Aboriginal Student Achievement Models Part II: Pre-conference Workshop hosted by NASSA and SASA Sunday, June 10, 2007 CACUSS 2007 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Agenda Welcome (back) and introductions Presentation on U of S model Break out discussion Refreshment break Report back Closing activity Closing remarks, thanks, and evaluations

“Achievement” Forging new Relationships: The Foundational Document on Aboriginal Initiatives at the University of Saskatchewan planning/key_planning_docs/foundational_doc.php

Academic programs specifically for Aboriginal Students Aboriginal Business Education Programs (Commerce) Aboriginal First Year Experience Program (AFYEP) Aboriginal Justice and Criminology Program (ABJAC) Aboriginal MBA Program Aboriginal Public Administration Indian & Northern Education Program (INEP) (Graduate Studies) Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) Mathematics & Science Enrichment Program (MSEP) Native Access Program to Nursing (College of Nursing) Program of Legal Studies of Native People (Native Law Centre) Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP)Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) Summer University Transition Program

Academic programs with an Aboriginal Focus Academic Programs with Aboriginal Content (Arts & Science)Academic Programs with Aboriginal Content (Arts & Science) Indigenous Peoples & Justice Program (IPJP)Indigenous Peoples & Justice Program (IPJP) Indigenous Peoples’ Program (Extension Division)Indigenous Peoples’ Program (Extension Division)

Centres, Departments & Societies Aboriginal Students' Centre Aboriginal Business Students Society Aboriginal Graduate Students’ Association Aboriginal Law Students’ Association Indigenous Students Council Native Studies Department Native Law Centre

Special Events Aboriginal Achievement Week Powwow at the Bowl Orientation

Special Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Initiatives

Aboriginal Student Achievement Model: Principles & Goals Principle 1 Engagement in Learning Principle 2 Effective Transition Principle 4 Access to Support Principle 3 Sense of Belonging Goals: - To develop appropriate transition programming - To increase participation in transition programming Goals: - To ensure appropriate support exists - To develop students’ knowledge of and ability and willingness to access support Goals: -To foster academic integration -- To foster social integration Goals: - To teach students habits for academic success - To provide opportunities for students to explore and set goals

Aboriginal Student Achievement Model  Focus on first year Aboriginal students admitted to one of our 3 achievement programs (AFYEP, MSEP, SUT)  Moved from a reactive model of problem solving to a proactive model of fostering student achievement  Seeks to retain students by helping them to achieve their personal success & academic goals  Identifies several factors that are key to student achievement & success

Aboriginal First Year Experience Program Goal is to support students in all undergraduate first year programs & to support students to consider all academic program options  Restricted enrollment to Aboriginal students  Class size limit to 30 students per class  Mandatory tutorial sessions  Life Skills Coaching  Career & employment presentations

Math & Science Enrichment Program Goal is to serve as a bridge to university study in programs that lead to careers requiring a pure or applied science background.  Restricted enrollment to Aboriginal students  Class size limit to 30 students per class  Mandatory lab and tutorial sessions  Voluntary non-academic presentations  : 24 enrolled

Aboriginal Students’ Centre Aboriginal Students’ Centre (ASC) was established in 1991 to increase Aboriginal student enrollment & improve their success. Began with small staff (1), now:  4 permanent F/T staff (Manager, Admin. Assistant, Student Advisor & Resource Coordinator)  P/T Staff include Life Skills Coach, two Elders & approximately 20 students as tutors  College Partnerships (Academic

Kathleen Makela ASC Manager Lori Delorme ASC Resource/Handbook Coordinator Dave Cowan MSEP/AFYEP Academic Director Angus Sanderson MSEP/AFYEP Student Advisor Elizabeth Duret Certified Life Skills Coach & Group Facilitator Aboriginal Achievement Model Team Members Charlotte Ross Arts/Science Coordinator Academic Programs for Aboriginal Students

Life Skills Coaching & Programming Personal life skills coaching  One-on-one, informal sessions  Identifying personal barriers to success  Developing a proactive approach to resolving personal issues  Referrals to appropriate community resources Group Facilitation & Workshops  Based upon student needs  Requires a level of trust between facilitator & student

Student Advisor Student intake and recruitment Registration processes Transition and funding advising Referral to academic advising, personal support Monitoring student attendance

Relationship with SIAST

Best practices discussion: 30 minutes –What is the context for Aboriginal students from your region? –What is working well on your campus? –What advice do you seek from your colleagues?

More on Aboriginal students at CACUSS 2007? #1 Financial Aid Myth Busting Stories from Indian Country #2 A Collaborative Approach to Engaging Aboriginal Youth in Postsecondary Education and Leadership Training #5 Celebrating and Supporting Aboriginal Student Achievement #6 Aboriginal Success in Trades and Technologies #6 Science and Health Aboriginal Success Strategy Program #7 Aboriginal Student Support at UBC-Okanagan #7 Working with our students BEFORE they enroll: The Career Trek Program #8 Finding their own path: The Building of an Aboriginal Student Development Theory #8 Circle of Strength: Native Access Program to Nursing/Medicine #9 Partnerships and Programming for Aboriginal Student Success Poster Monday, 11:45-1:45 Becoming Whole: A Model of Empowerment in Aboriginal Women Leaders and Professionals

In closing…