Promoting Community Involvement to First Year

Students through Academic Service Learning

(ASL) and First Year Experience Programs (FYE)

Presented by Hannah Lewis and Brian McGowan

Overview

Background of ASL and FYE programs at NMU

Student experience surveys

Brainstorm ideas for projects

Share ways to make the ASL/FYE partnership successful at your institution

Assumptions

ASL is a positive experience

Community involvement is a positive experience

FYE is a positive experience

ALS and FYE combined is a positive experience…and maybe even better

The History of ASL at Northern

Adopted in 2000 – started with the Education Department and student teaching Used 14 sub grants provided by Learn and Serve America

Winter 2003 - creation of ASL advisory board Survey revealed 85 courses in 35 content areas had ASL

characteristics.

In 2004 - 30 faculty members took part in a two day seminar on ‘relating theory to practice’ by Dr. Dale Rice.

The History of ASL at Northern 2005 - development of ASL website and use of ASL

courses in promotion and tenure materials

Development of NMU ASL definition and designation requirements (used Eastern MU previously)

2006/2007 - Provost Office funded ten $500 Action Grants for ASL projects

Definition of ASL

A course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students: participate in an organized service activity that meets

identified community needs; and

reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of both personal values and civic responsibility.

ASL Designation To have an ASL designation, classes must include the following five

common elements:

Community partners or agencies must be involved in the planning of the service projects

Conceptualized connection between course objectives and service activities

Service projects must enrich the learning experience

All parties involved in the service projects must benefit

Time built into the syllabus for formal active reflection, which enables students to synthesize and derive new meaning from their experiences

Examples would include activities such as directed writings, small group discussions and class presentations

ASL Board/Structure Chaired by Dr. Judith Puncochar- Department of Education

Four credit course release

Subcommittees

I. Research

II. Outreach

III. Grant

IV. Curriculum

Faculty recognition award supported by academic dean

Guest speaker preparations Edward Ztlotkowski (April)

Increasing our research on ASL in rural areas

The Growth of ASL at Northern In the beginning, there were 2-3courses and 6 sections designated as

ASL

Fall Courses Sections UN100 (ASL)2008 28 28 02009 27 45 22010 36 64 72011 33 53 42012 59 92 82013 39 65 4

Student, Faculty and Community Partner Surveys Qualtrics

NOT based on learning objectives/outcomes

Faculty send survey to students and community partners

Currently refining faculty and community partner surveys

First Year Experience (FYE) at Northern Northern adopted FYE in 1995

The mission of FYE: To enhance student satisfaction, success, retention, and

graduation

Program Goals: To help students develop strategies and attitudes to

maximize academic success

To familiarize student with campus resources and how to use them

To assist students with developing positive relationships with faculty, staff, student leaders and peers

FYE at NMU Each fall there are about 65 UN 100 sections

Representing about 70% of the incoming class’ enrollment

FYE Works

FYE retains 90% compared to it’s counterparts at 80%

FYE students outperform their counterparts academically, by roughly 3/10 of a GPA percentage

All ASL vs. UN100 ASL

ASL Student Surveys All ASLUN100 (ASL)

Actively volunteered before 56% 63%

Community project showed me I can become more involved in my community 80% 82%

More classes should combine university coursework with the community 90% 92%

Took this class because of project-orientated learning component 33% 15%

More likely to take a course with a community project again 78% 82%

Quotes from UN 100 (ASL) Students “The volunteer gets a better understanding of what their

future career may include. The community partners can get more work done with volunteers.”

“It gets you out in the community which makes learning some things easier. It is also great to give back to the community at the same time as earning credits. Many college kids don't have a lot of extra time to volunteer, so this is a nice way to get out in the community and give back.”

“I liked being able to interact with people from the Marquette community. Coming to a university can be scary because you are leaving your community to be in a community of students. But it is nice to be active and participate with the rest of the community as well.”

“It sparks an interest in community work and gives real-life experience.”

ASL Projects in UN 100 Courses

Volunteer hours range from 2-15+ UPAWS North Star Academy Lake Superior Youth and family center Marquette General Hospital Moosewood

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership Empower teaching assistants

Designation forms

Brainstorm ideas and work out the logistics

Letters to give to instructors

Support from both ASL and FYE

Spotlights

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership Support New Faculty

Informal mentoring program

ASL contact for each department

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership Create incentives for faculty

Awards

Spotlights

Grants

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership Collect data to support administrative

decisions ASL is collecting data on students, faculty, and

community partners

FYE is collecting data on retention and student satisfaction with course evaluations

Preliminary data comparing UN 100 courses with and without an ASL component

1126 Students 153 Students

Taking part in FYE block of courses: UN100- No ASL UN100- ASL

Positively contributed to a successful first semester at NMU 64.83% 71.24%

Was a benefit to your overall college experience 63.32% 66.66%

Is something you would recommend to incoming students 61.19% 69.93%

ASL and FYE at YOUR Institution

What works for you? Where is your program struggling? Ideas for others?