STUDY ABROAD FOR THE 99%: HOW DO WE CREATE EQUAL ACCESS? Heather Barclay Hamir, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin

Changing US Demographics Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law ) Summary File, Tables P1 and P2.

Higher Education in Texas Hispanic students are projected to be the largest college-going population in Texas by 2040 (50.9%) H.B. 588 (The Top 10% Law) shapes university admissions Current political debates: Affordability of higher education Faculty productivity (research v. teaching) Four-year graduation rates

The University of Texas at Austin 51,000 students; 39,000 undergraduates Admitted first majority-minority entering cohort in 2010 Demand for admission to UT led to restructuring of Top 10% Law in 2010 Four-year graduation rate: 51% (80% in six years)

Study Abroad at UT Austin 5 th largest study abroad program in the US (2,284 abroad in ) Goal: equal access to study abroad for UT students Underrepresented GroupsOn-campusAbroad Science majors25%8% First-generation-in-college23%9% Racial/ethnic minorities48%39% Men48%42%

First-Gen Student Characteristics First-gen refers to students whose parents have not graduated from college (federal definition) First-gen student characteristics at UT: Racially/ethnically diverse population Lower average socio-economic background Lower persistence and graduation rates (35.7% graduate in 4 years)

Study Abroad & Degree Completion 7,845 students in the first-time-in-college (FTIC) cohort of % of cohort studied abroad, representing 21% of graduates Graduated in:Participants Average: 4.11 years Non-Participants Average: 4.16 years 4 years or less59.8%45.0% 5 years or less82.4%69.9% 6 years or less95.7%75.0%

Predicted Probability of Graduating Study abroad participation did not predict: time-to-degree graduation in 4 years Study abroad participation did predict: graduation in 5 years (46% more likely to graduate) graduation in 6 years (185% more likely to graduate) graduation in 8 years (712% more likely to graduate) Effect increased as GPA decreased

Yes, but…. Study abroad students: have higher GPAs (true) have higher standardized test scores (true) are more motivated, organized, etc. (maybe) When applicants were compared to non- participants, no differences existed in predicted time-to-degree or likelihood of graduating from UT

The First Abroad Initiative Three components: scholarships, partnerships, outreach/mentoring Goals: Increase access to study abroad for a diverse and underrepresented population Enable seamless integration of study abroad into degree progress Contribute to student retention and success at UT

First Abroad: Scholarships 1. Scholarships: address the financial barrier early = increased opportunities + better academic planning 250 scholarships over 5 years for first-gen students with financial need: Hutchison International Scholars: scholarships awarded at admission, no application First Abroad Scholarships: apply in first/second year of attendance, 2 academic years to use funds

First Abroad: Partnerships, Outreach 2. Partnerships: collaboration to promote early outreach to students, academic integration, and reduce financial barriers Collaboration with UT retention programs, increased partnerships with academic departments Funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation Add-on awards from study abroad program partners 3. Outreach and mentoring: staff and peer advisors