Aboriginal Student Achievement Models

Part II: Pre-conference Workshop hosted by NASSA and SASA

Sunday, June 10, 2007

CACUSS 2007 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Agenda

• Welcome (back) and introductions

• Presentation on U of S model

• Break out discussion

• Refreshment break

• Report back

• Closing activity

• Closing remarks, thanks, and evaluations

““Achievement”Achievement”

Forging new Relationships: The Foundational Document on Aboriginal Initiatives at

the University of Saskatchewan

http://www.usask.ca/vpacademic/integrated-planning/key_planning_docs/foundational_doc.php

Academic programs specifically for

Aboriginal Students• Aboriginal Business Education Programs (Commerce) • Aboriginal First Year Experience Program (AFYEP) • Aboriginal Justice and Criminology Program (ABJAC) • Aboriginal MBA Program • Aboriginal Public Administration • Indian & Northern Education Program (INEP) (Graduate Studies) • Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) • Mathematics & Science Enrichment Program (MSEP) • Native Access Program to Nursing (College of Nursing) • Program of Legal Studies of Native People (Native Law Centre) • Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program

(SUNTEP) • Summer University Transition Program

Academic programs with an Aboriginal Focus

• Academic Programs with Aboriginal Content (Arts & Science)

• Indigenous Peoples & Justice Program (IPJP)

• Indigenous Peoples’ Program (Extension Division)

Centres, Departments & Societies• Aboriginal Students' Centre • Aboriginal Business Students Society • Aboriginal Graduate Students’ Association • Aboriginal Law Students’ Association • Indigenous Students Council • Native Studies Department • Native Law Centre

Special Events

• Aboriginal Achievement Week • Powwow at the Bowl • Orientation

Special Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Initiatives

Aboriginal Student Achievement Model: Principles & Goals

Principle 1

Engagement inLearning

Principle 2

EffectiveTransition

Principle 4

Access toSupport

Principle 3

Sense ofBelonging

Goals:- To develop appropriate

transition programming- To increase

participation in transition

programming

Goals:- To ensure appropriate support exists- To develop students’ knowledge of and ability and willingness to access support

Goals:-To foster academic

integration-- To foster social

integration

Goals:- To teach students habits for academic success- To provide opportunities for students to explore and set goals

Aboriginal Student Achievement Model

Focus on first year Aboriginal students admitted to one of our 3 achievement programs (AFYEP, MSEP, SUT)

Moved from a reactive model of problem solving to a proactive model of fostering student achievement

Seeks to retain students by helping them to achieve their personal success & academic goals

Identifies several factors that are key to student achievement & success

Aboriginal First Year Experience Program

Goal is to support students in all undergraduate first year programs & to support students to consider all academic program options

Restricted enrollment to Aboriginal students Class size limit to 30 students per class Mandatory tutorial sessions Life Skills Coaching Career & employment presentations

Math & Science Enrichment Program

Goal is to serve as a bridge to university study in programs that lead to careers requiring a pure or applied science background.

Restricted enrollment to Aboriginal students Class size limit to 30 students per class Mandatory lab and tutorial sessions Voluntary non-academic presentations 2005-6: 24 enrolled

Aboriginal Students’ Centre

Aboriginal Students’ Centre (ASC) was established in 1991 to increase Aboriginal student enrollment & improve their success. Began with small staff (1), now:

4 permanent F/T staff (Manager, Admin. Assistant, Student Advisor & Resource Coordinator)

P/T Staff include Life Skills Coach, two Elders & approximately 20 students as tutors

College Partnerships (Academic

Kathleen MakelaASC Manager

Lori DelormeASC Resource/Handbook Coordinator

Dave CowanMSEP/AFYEP Academic Director

Angus SandersonMSEP/AFYEP Student Advisor

Elizabeth DuretCertified Life Skills Coach & Group Facilitator

Aboriginal Achievement Model Team Members

Charlotte RossArts/ScienceCoordinator Academic Programs for Aboriginal Students

Life Skills Coaching & Programming

Personal life skills coaching One-on-one, informal sessions Identifying personal barriers to success Developing a proactive approach to resolving

personal issues Referrals to appropriate community resources

Group Facilitation & Workshops Based upon student needs Requires a level of trust between facilitator &

student

Student Advisor

• Student intake and recruitment

• Registration processes

• Transition and funding advising

• Referral to academic advising, personal support

• Monitoring student attendance

Relationship with SIAST

Best practices discussion: 30 minutes

– What is the context for Aboriginal students from your region?

– What is working well on your campus?– What advice do you seek from your

colleagues?

More on Aboriginal students at CACUSS 2007?

• #1 Financial Aid Myth Busting Stories from Indian Country• #2 A Collaborative Approach to Engaging Aboriginal Youth in Postsecondary Education

and Leadership Training• #5 Celebrating and Supporting Aboriginal Student Achievement• #6 Aboriginal Success in Trades and Technologies• #6 Science and Health Aboriginal Success Strategy Program• #7 Aboriginal Student Support at UBC-Okanagan• #7 Working with our students BEFORE they enroll: The Career Trek Program• #8 Finding their own path: The Building of an Aboriginal Student Development Theory• #8 Circle of Strength: Native Access Program to Nursing/Medicine• #9 Partnerships and Programming for Aboriginal Student Success• Poster Monday, 11:45-1:45 Becoming Whole: A Model of Empowerment in Aboriginal

Women Leaders and Professionals

In closing…