1. Transition and Transfer Serving older students and students with disabilities

2. Before we get started let’s do a little

3. What to expect today …  Understand the experience of the older student, the student with a disability, the student who feels like he or she just doesn’t fit in …

4. What to expect today … But then needs to take the next step …  Now fits in to that two year college

5. What to expect today …

6. First, a little about us …

7. Metropolitan State University  Established in 1972 to meet the needs of older learners.  Average age of Student is 32  Majority of the students are working adults with family responsibilities.  The average student has attended five institutions  90% of student population are transfer students

8. Students with Disabilities Metropolitan State University

9.  Disability Services Office established in 1994  Average age is 37  Majority are working adults with families  The average student has attended two institutions typically area community colleges  85% are transfer students from area community colleges

10. Minneapolis Community and Technical College About our studentsTRiO DSSS  58% Part-Time  53% Women  Average age is 28  Only 9% are recent high school graduates  26% First Generation  48% Low income This year, MCTC was awarded a TRiO Student Support Services Grant with a goal to serve 100 students with disabilities to graduate and transfer. Today we will discuss ideas to help keep students reach these goals.

11. Minneapolis Community and Technical College  58%

12. MCTC Students with Disabilities

14. What are we seeing …  It was difficult enrolling at the two-year institution but now I am comfortable here  I just can’t complete the last requirement I need to transfer … What do you think that is???  Yep, I’m transferring in the fall … Have you talked to anyone where you are transferring? Do you know the deadlines for application?

15. What are we seeing …  I think I would like a double major or  I would like to have a certificate or  I like it here or  I don’t like it there Have you talked with anybody there?

16. 2 Yr. to 4 Yr. Transition Issues for Older Students with Disabilities  Differences in models of service delivery  Skills in self-advocacy  Differences in social life  Access to technology  Differences in academic requirements  Availability of tutors

17. 2 Yr. to 4 Yr. Transition Issues for Older Students with Disabilities  Understanding and working through the transfer process  The unfamiliar, support services and university procedures  Reluctance to embrace difference

18. What Can Disability Service Providers Do?  Staff training on Disability Services Programs at area 4 year institutions  Have a contact person on each campus  Visit websites  Campus visits  Familiarity with documentation guidelines

19. What Can Disability Service Providers Do?  Staff training on Disability Services Programs at area 4 year institutions  Have a contact person on each campus  Visit websites  Campus visits  Familiarity with documentation guidelines

20. What Can Disability Service Providers Do?  Invite Disability Services staff to visit your campus (Success Day)  Advise students to start out slow – course selection is critical in the first semesters  Assist students in self-advocacy skills  Student development – self realization (time management, study skills, counseling)

21. Why are we talking about this?  Age creates significant challenges of serving students  ‘one size does not fit all’  Beyond accommodation - provide an environment that is welcoming to the older student

22.  Questions?  Thank you