1. By James Donnelly Azusa Pacific University Azusa Pacific University

2. W here is everyone coming from? What are you hoping to gain?

3. Today, 85% of college students are commuters. Today, 85% of college students are commuters. Majority of research regards residential students. Majority of research regards residential students. Commuter programs are adopted without much evidence to support those decisions. Commuter programs are adopted without much evidence to support those decisions. Assumptions that programs for residential students will work for commuters. Assumptions that programs for residential students will work for commuters.

4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Mattering Theory Schlossberg’s Mattering Theory Theory of Involvement Astin’s Theory of Involvement

5. 1,022 total First-Year Students 1,022 total First-Year Students 104 Commuter & 1,018 Residential 104 Commuter & 1,018 ResidentialSurvey 104 Commuters & 300 Residential students surveyed 104 Commuters & 300 Residential students surveyed

9. Commuters much less socially engaged compared to Residential Students Commuters much less socially engaged compared to Residential Students Commuters are significantly less satisfied with their experience and their engagement level. Commuters are significantly less satisfied with their experience and their engagement level.

10. Commuters spend less time on campus & are generally on campus in the mornings Commuters spend less time on campus & are generally on campus in the mornings Commuters are mainly focused on academic engagement and development Commuters are mainly focused on academic engagement and development

11. What quandaries have you had with commuter students? OR OR What seems to be posing the biggest challenge for commuter engagement?

12. Commuters are often between many “worlds”. Commuters are often between many “worlds”. What do “communities” look like on campus? What do “communities” look like on campus? Building a need/necessity for community. Building a need/necessity for community. Meeting them where they are… Meeting them where they are…

13. Understand YOUR commuters. Understand YOUR commuters. What “reaches” your commuters. - Mentoring, Smaller events, “Commuter only” programming, etc. What “reaches” your commuters. - Mentoring, Smaller events, “Commuter only” programming, etc. New concepts of success for commuter events/engagement. New concepts of success for commuter events/engagement. Location on campus for commuters to spend time and develop community Location on campus for commuters to spend time and develop community

14. Commuters reaching commuters. Commuters reaching commuters. Who are those commuters that are allies. Who are those commuters that are allies. Meeting commuters where they are... Meeting commuters where they are...

15. “I feel like college is like a restaurant and the residential students get to go inside and experience everything. Commuters are just taking the drive-thru.”

16. What works best? What works best? What is making that difference? What is making that difference? Who will help bridge the gap? Who will help bridge the gap? Where will the next great idea come from? Where will the next great idea come from?YOU!

17. Contact/Questions:James.donnelly@alumni.apu.edu