Establishing a Campus Connection for Transfers Janet Marling & Susan Bullinger University of North Texas Fourth Annual Institute for the Study of Transfer Students January 2006 ~ Fort Worth, Texas

Transfer Student Engagement

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 56,000 senior “starters” 3,500 senior transfers year institutions  Transfers engage in required, class-related effective educational practices to same degree as starters.  Transfers are less engaged in out-of-class “discretionary” activities.  Life exigencies (work, family) may preclude taking advantage of opportunities for learning Kuh, G. D. (2004, January). Enhancing transfer student success. Keynote address presented at the Second Annual Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. Fort Worth, TX.

Transfer Expectations & Experiences

Consistency between a student’s college expectations & experiences can affect a student’s desire to establish membership in an institution’s academic community & remain enrolled at the institution. (Braxton, Vesper, & Hosssler, 1995)

To increase student retention, we must create a consistency between a student’s expectations and experiences. (Barefoot, 2002)

The greater degree to which a student’s social expectations are met, the greater the student’s degree of integration into the social communities of a college or university. (Helland, Stallings, Braxton, 2002)

Whom are we attempting to connect? (Do you know your transfer students?) Avoid making assumptions about your transfer students based upon national data. Go to the source – your campus, your students.

Collaborating with your Institutional Research Department Utilize data from existing sources –Admissions data –National surveys and assessment tools

UNT Fall 2005: Undergraduate Admissions Information Current UG Enrollment: 25,308 (79.0%) New Enrollments: 7,297 (28.9%) Current UG Enrollment: 25,308 (79.0%) New Enrollments: 7,297 (28.9%) Clark, A., Odom, L.R., Barton, M., Fuentes, C., Donzello, M., & Todd, J. (2006). University of North Texas fact book: Unpublished document. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

UNT Undergraduate Profile Average age: 22.2 Clark, A., Odom, L.R., Barton, M., Fuentes, C., Donzello, M., & Todd, J. (2006). University of North Texas fact book: Unpublished document. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

Clark, A., Odom, L.R., Barton, M., Fuentes, C., Donzello, M., & Todd, J. (2006). University of North Texas fact book: Unpublished document. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. UNT Transfer Profile Transfers account for 46.8% of new student enrollments in Fall 2005.

Collaborating with your Institutional Research Department Create new surveys that meet your needs –Ex. Continuing Student Survey

Sharing the Data Create a plan to disseminate the results. Create opportunities to challenge assumptions and/or perceptions about your transfer student population.

Creating the Connections

Listening Transfer Talk-Backs –At least twice each semester –Free lunch –Discussion and written survey –Changed format and results –Sharing the feedback

Recognition Tau Sigma –Demonstrates institution’s commitment to transfer students –Recognizes academic excellence –Provides a point of connection for listening and leadership opportunities

Leadership Transfer Ambassadors (TransAms) –Initial contact: Transfer Panel –Ongoing connection: Major, Tours, Mentors –Voice of progress –Opportunity, not an organization

Transfer Connection Action Plan

Contact Information Janet L. Marling Director, New Student & Mentoring Programs University of North Texas P.O. Box Denton, Texas (940) Susan Bullinger GA, Transfer Programs University of North Texas P.O. Box Denton, Texas (940)