Facilitating a Culture of Transfer Student Success

Crystal C. Anderson

Director of Transfer Advising & Articulations

A Case Study of Old Dominion University’s Transfer Initiatives

OVERVIEW• Background of ODU• Why is transfer student success important?• Recruitment Initiatives

• Letter of Intent/GAA• Internal/External Partnerships• Retention Initiatives• Challenges • Recommendations

-Large, research institution in a metropolitan area

-Student body of about 25,000-Enroll approx. 3000 new transfer students

each year-Significant distance learning student

population-25% of student population is military

affiliated-Transfer Services are separated across multiple departments/divisions-Over 60% transfer from the Virginia

Community College System (VCCS)

Old Dominion’s Profile

Why is transfer student success important?

What are the major components needed for success of transfer students?

What are the barriers to student success?

What opportunities are available to facilitate success of transfer students?

Key Questions

-Partnerships– Internal– External

-Communication-- Transfer Specific Services & Programming

The Answer:

-Letter of Intent to Transfer• Web-based form used to gather student

information• Must be submitted for Guaranteed Admission• Used to identify students following articulation

agreements with other institutions• Streamlines partnership with other institutions• Major Pre-advising tool

Major Recruitment Initiative

Pre-Advising Learning Outcomes

Student Goals and Learning Outcomes in the Pre- Advising ProcessGOAL 1. To take full responsibility for learning about opportunities and resources that help formulate academic and career early in the transfer process.GOAL 2. To define academic and career goals by exploring options through courses and other educational experiences.GOAL 3. To be engaged in the course selection process and to actively seek and participate in other educational opportunities that help in the achievement of academic and career goals.GOAL 4. To read and understand the University's policies and procedures in relation to meeting University, College, and Departmental graduation requirements.GOAL 5. To be responsible for new information provided through on-line resources and to be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials .GOAL 6. To consult with the academic advisor on a mutually agreed upon schedule to review course choices, discuss academic and career goals, and assess progress towards degree completion.

Benefits of The Letter of Intent

Old Dominion University

• Admissions - Recruitment• Transfer Advising &

Articulations - Access to prospective students to ensure they are on the “right track”

• Distance Learning – Early connection = Retention

• ODU Faculty - Project program growth

Prospective Student

• Pre-advising before ODU enrollment

• Invited by Admissions, Transfer Advising and site directors to events, programs, etc.

• Early registration once admitted

• “Locked” into catalog year• Avenue for Guaranteed

Admissions/Articulations

- Meet student needs through individual, group or online format- Share data and student information with partner

institutions and academic colleges- Identify enrollment patterns/trends- Increased recruitment/communication with prospective

students- Consistent messages to prospective students using CRM- Use of pre-advising checklist by all ODU “advisors” and

admissions representatives- Provided data needed to request appointments/office

space at community colleges

Advantages of The Letter of Intent

Taking the guesswork out of degree planning

- Articulation Agreements- Curriculum Sheets- Transfer Guide- Monarch TRANSFERM

ATION• Transfer equivalency

database

Guiding Students to Enrollment

• Community college programs: applied associates degrees and some transferrable degrees (for professional study majors)

• ODU: Engineering Technology, Health Sciences, Human Services, Criminal Justice, STEM, Teacher Prep, Nursing and Dental Hygiene

• How do applied associates degrees get articulated? Gen eds + AAS/AAA degree = ODU Articulation

• Completion of the articulation agreement will waive lower division general education at ODU

• Students receive the same benefit as if they completed the transferrable associates degree

Articulation Agreements

AAS Degree General Education Courses

ODU Program Courses

Articulation Components

BS Degree

-Academic planning guides for prospective and current students

-Maps degree plans within four years

-Retention initiative

-Assists with enrollment planning

-Used by community college advisors, students, faculty

-Major/Career Exploration videos

Curriculum Sheets/Finish in 4 Campaign

Finish in Four

• Website launched to guide students through degree programs in four years

• Major university initiative that is communicated with transfer students

• Required participation and oversight from academic departments/chairs

• Great recruitment tool

Pre-Advising with Graduation in Mind

Transfer Student Orientation- online and/or in-personTransfer Student NewslettersTransfer Welcome BBQ/ Transfer Student DayTransfer Orientation Course- UNIV 100Peer MentorsTransfer Student Organization- Tau SigmaTransfer Student Issue WorkgroupStudent Support Groups

• Women’s Center• Student Veteran Association

Transfer Seminar Course- for transfer students in academic difficulty (UNIV 112)Calling Campaigns

Retention Initiatives

How do we make it work???Communication / Transfer Advocacy is Key

• Multiple committees and groups o Student Success Committee—chaired by Provost and VP

for Student Engagement and Enrollment Serviceso Excellence in Advising Commission- with representation

for EM areaso Retention Committee

• Regular/ Yearly Meetings o Luncheons with CC staff/administrationo Trainings/Workshops for campus community & key stakeholderso Road trips to distance learning siteso Listserv/Share point siteso Newsletters/ Memos of Changes

• Time it takes to implement • Constant need for training/development of faculty and staff• Finding the right method of communication for each

stakeholder• Mandating all faculty and staff attend training and

development• Not getting the support of “everyone”• Not having “central” location for all transfer services• Constant change and implementation of software, CRM

products, technology

Challenges

• Have clear goals/objectives• Identifying transfer advocates in key roles-change agents• Be Visible• Consistent, constant follow-up with stakeholders• Partner, Partner, Partner• Use data to support justifications• Seek opportunities with Academic Affairs

•Academic Allies are great for recruitment

• Assess your outcomes• Be patient, persistent and committed• Use Council for Academic Standards (CAS) as guide

Recommendations for Facilitating Transfer Success

Questions