TAP into Humber Transition & Advising Program for First Generation Students

AGENDA Definition Opportunity Characteristics Program Design Testimonials Statistics Successes & Challenges Lessons Learned & Next Steps ure=youtu.be

DEFINITION A student whose parent(s)/guardian(s) has/have not attended a postsecondary institution. If a sibling has attended a post secondary institution but the parent(s)/guardian(s) have not, they are still considered a First Generation Student.

OPPORTUNITY HEQCO- Parental education impacts college participation 41% versus 20% MTCU issued a call for Proposals in 2010 for First Generation Projects Goal- ↑ retention and graduation rates, gain baseline and retention activity data. TAP (Transition and Advising Program) launched in September 2010.

TRANSITION ISSUES 1.First Year Student (Personal, Academic, Interpersonal etc) 2.First Generation Student

CHARACTERISTICS Work full time or part time while attending college Juggling multiple responsibilities Unfamiliar with college culture and what it means to be a college student May be lacking skills needed for academic success (study skills) and get discouraged when struggling

CHARACTERISTICS con’t Reasons for attending Post secondary differ (blend of personal/sociological vs sociological as personal) Superficial understanding about college- affects choice of classes, major Imposter Phenomenon

Modeled after the University of Toronto’s FLC program 12 Week Program Weekly Tutorial – 50 min Use a peer support model Students grouped by faculty Students registered on timetable Mix of social events and learning skills development PROGRAM DESIGN

PROGRAM DESIGN- YEAR 1 Semester 1 ( Fall 2010) Faculty of Business & Faculty of Health 6 groups 13 student leaders (working in pairs) Average weekly attendance- 20 students Semester 2 ( Winter 2011) Added School of Applied Technology 7 groups 10 student leaders Average weekly attendance- 15

Semester 3 ( Fall 2011) Added School of Social and Community Services 9 groups 18 student leaders (working in pairs) Average weekly attendance-32 Semester 4 ( Winter 2012) 7 groups 15 leaders Average weekly attendance- 32 PROGRAM DESIGN- YEAR 2

RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES Lists obtained through registration office Postcards Incentives Orientation Week Breakfast Recognition- End of Semester Banquet Invited all FG students via , postcard, phone calls and classroom visits

Student Success & Engagement Registration Office Faculty of Applied Technology, Business, Health Sciences and Social and Community Services Career Center, Peer Health Educators, Librarians, Toastmasters Faculty- guest speakers Senior students ( 5 hrs/week) WHO IS INVOLVED

SAMPLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE WeekDatesAcademic CalendarTopics Week 117-JanFirst Week of Classes Introductory Session: Team Builder, Meet & Greet, Setting Up Group Expectations. Goal Setting. Week 224-Jan Workshop - Personality Inventory/ Goal Setting completed Week 331-Jan Workshop- Time Management and Prioritizing Week 47-Feb Workshop - Career Development with Career Centre Week 514-Feb Workshop - Exam Prep, Study Skills Week 621-FebReading Week OPTIONAL: Build your resume by participating in a Volunteer Field Trip ( Habitat for Humanity) Week 728-Feb Workshop - Presentation Skills ( Toastmasters) Week 87-Mar Workshop - Presentation Skills Practice Week 914-Mar Social - Dress for Success & Dinner/ Business Etiquette Week 1021-Mar March 25- Last Day to WithdrawWorkshop - Budgeting- presented by Bus faculty member Week 1128-Mar Workshop- Stress Management Week 124-Apr Social- End of term social event

SUCCESSES Students love the program! 97% would recommend TAP to their peers 198 students registered in Fall % of students who participated fully felt that they were better prepared academically 90% of students who participated fully successfully completed their academic semester ( Fall 2010)

SUCCESSES - Retention Statistics TAP Program F10W11F11 Business School Health Sciences UNB Nursing333 #Retained % Retained87%74% COHORT F10W11F11 Business School Health Sciences UNB Nursing # Retained % Retained80%61%

SUCCESSES – GPA’s TAPFirst Gen Fall Winter Fall TAPFirst Gen Fall Winter Fall Business School Health Sciences

TESTIMONIALS “ As a student returning to school after 25 years, I found the TAP Program to be tremendously useful.” Dorreth “TAP has most definitely helped me stay successful throughout this school year! It has helped me reach goals that I used to think were unattainable. My attitude is now so positive, and I have realized that with a little bit of support anything is possible!!” Jasmine

VIDEO TESTIMONIALS

CHALLENGES 198 registered, however 89 students attended TAP (44%) Of those 89 students, 59 regularly attended (34%) (Attrition) Time commitment Recruiting leaders in Winter Many students still don’t know about or understand the program Self Identification Scheduling

LESSONS LEARNED & NEXT STEPS Educate students and faculty Student voice is key- Focus groups with First Gen students Address Time commitment concerns- Creative Scheduling &Online Engagement Surge in attendance after midterms- Back on Track Workshops Faculty connection is important- TAP on the shoulder

LESSONS LEARNED & NEXT STEPS Students need help discovering their leadership potential- Emerging Leadership Workshop/Training Earlier we engage with students, the better- Summer Prep Program- Gear up with TAP/ Ready, Set, TAP into Humber Model is effective- Expand the model to other marginalized groups

Questions

References and Resources Cushman, K (2006). First in the Family: Advice about College from First Generation Students. Your College Years. Providence, RI: Next Generation Press. Davis, J (2010). The First Generation Student Experience. Implications for Campus Practice, and Strategies for Improving Persistence and Success. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus. Ender, S. C. & Newton, F.B. (2000) Students Helping Students : A Guide for Peer Educators on College Campuses. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Feldman,R.S. (2009) P.O.W.E.R. Learning and Your Life: Essentials of Student Success, 4 th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

CONTACT For more information: humber.ca/tap Melanie Chai Manager, Peer Programs