9/28/2011 BRIDGING THE TRANSFER GAP ABOUT FIU & MDC TRANSFER GAP? Articulation. Critical Shifts. MIAMI DADE COLLEGE o 165k students

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1 BRIDGING THE TRANSFER GAP Neelam Mahmood & Janie Valdés, Ed.D. NACADA Annual Conference Denver, CO 2-5 October 2011 ABOUT FIU & MDC FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIV o 46k students o 61% Hispanic (HSI) o 25% First Generation o 8086 new transfers ( ) 65% vs. FTIC 80% from MDC MIAMI DADE COLLEGE o 165k students 66k at Kendall Campus o 70% Hispanic (HSI) o 56% First Generation o 64% AA pursuers TRANSFER GAP? Articulation o FL: Comprehensive, dynamic o Common prerequisites / course numbering o Linear transfer path = 2+2 FIU 2+2 = 24% (*2002 cohort) Is articulation enough? Critical Shifts o Modern transfer patterns o Impact of economic downturn o FIU: New advising focus o FIU: New strategic initiative 1

FTIC 80% from MDC MIAMI DADE COLLEGE o 165k students 66k at Kendall Campus o 70% Hispanic (HSI) o 56% First Generation o 64% AA pursuers TRANSFER GAP?

2 INTRUSIVE ADVISING HELP students maneuver higher education channels, identify and utilize support services and make effective decisions. --Tinto, 2004 I NACADA Connect w/intention Guide w/action Challenge w/redirection TRANSITION CHALLENGES o Diverse backgrounds and experiences Expansive demographic, transcript behavior Advising not standard o Not a priority on most campuses NSSE (2008) Transfers less engaged on 4 out of 5 benchmarks: Faculty Interaction Collaborative Learning Enriching Educational Experiences Campus Support TRANSITION SUPPORT An Opportunity to Fill the Gap o Transfer Center o Comprehensive Orientation o Transition Course o Transfer Peer Mentors o Transfer Interest Groups (TrIGS) o Collaborations with CCs Develop clear transfer pathways 1 Outreach message clear, concise 1 FIU Bridge Advisor 1 Improving Student Transfer from Community Colleges to Four Year Universities (College Board Report, 2011). 2

standard o Not a priority on most campuses NSSE (2008) Transfers less engaged on 4 out of 5 benchmarks: Faculty Interaction Collaborative Learning Enriching Educational Experiences Campus Support

3 DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM Dual Degree Program o FIU applicants, soft no o Referred to regional CCs o Complete AA < 3 years o Guaranteed admission o Seamless transition o FIU perks! Why Miami Dade College? 75% DDP students transfer from MDC 60% transfer from Kendall Campus BRIDGE ADVISOR ON SITE Agreement o Start date: September 2010 o Housed in Advisement & Career Services o 3 times per week / one evening o Focus: Dual Degree Students o Walk-ins: Students interested in FIU o Pantherize! Other Programming o Student workshops o Advisor workshops o MDC/FIU Advising Day BRIDGE ADVISOR ROLE Academic Advising o Majors, GPA requirements o Course selection (prerequisites) o Checking progress (multiple visits) o Help undecided students Choosing an appropriate major o Workshops, information sessions Evaluation o Gather & report data o Ongoing feedback loop o Share findings w/ senior leadership 3

evening o Focus: Dual Degree Students o Walk-ins: Students interested in FIU o Pantherize!

4 BRIDGE ADVISOR CHALLENGES o Role expectations / clarification o Schedule changes o Logistical issues Advisor Adjustments New environment, institutional culture New and different student population New policies, procedures Must be able to work independently Diplomacy is key! WORKSHOPS Networking Networking Familiarity with FIU Programs Faculty/ Advisor Workshops Student Workshops Group Advising Foster Partnerships Transition Information FINDINGS QUANTITATIVE Tracking & Survey Data o 550 students seen o 175 students surveyed Quality of service Usefulness of information Access to advisor Overall experience Reasons for Visit o Major requirements o Transition information o Course selection o DDP perks QUALITATIVE o 61 students interviewed 36 during 1 st term at FIU 25 after earning BA/BS o MDC readied them o FIU perks socialized them Bridge Advisor o Filled information gap o Simplify transition o Plans of Study highly valued o Pathway is motivating! 4

WORKSHOPS Networking Networking Familiarity with FIU Programs Faculty/ Advisor Workshops Student Workshops Group Advising Foster Partnerships Transition Information FINDINGS QUANTITATIVE Tracking &

5 REFLECTIONS & MOVING FORWARD Lessons Learned o Focus on increasing awareness o Improved tracking methods Goals Data analysis Assess impact o Expand to other MDC campuses o Cultivate relationship with other partners o Additional workshops, engagement IMPLEMENTATION: KEY FACTORS Make your Case o Find the right leadership support o Bring transfer issues/data to the forefront o Where are your gaps? Alternatives o Community college liaison(s) o Advising days ( set schedule) o Advising forum/day between institutions o Meeting of the advising minds! CONTACT US Neelam Mahmood Senior Advisor / Bridge Advisor MDC Undergraduate Education Neelam.Mahmood1@fiu.edu J. Valdés, Ed.D. Director, Transfer & Transition Services Articulation Officer Undergraduate Education Janie.Valdes@fiu.edu 5

Alternatives o Community college liaison(s) o Advising days ( set schedule) o Advising forum/day between institutions o Meeting of the advising minds!

Improving Retention and On-Time Graduation:

Improving Retention and On-Time Graduation: Using Proactive Advising and Tracking Tools to Redirect Exploratory Students Janie Valdés, Charlie Andrews, Vanessa Mériné Florida International University NACADA