1. SEAMLESS TRANSFER: C-STEP (The Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program) as a Model for Effective Community College/University Collaborative Advising Stacy R. Edwards Academic Advising Program The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2. Purpose of this presentation To introduce academic advisors and administrators to the academic advising component of the C-STEP model Discuss collaborative advising efforts between a two-year and a four-year selective institution Discover ways to implement activities for transfer students at your respective institution

3. What is C-STEP? One of eight programs in the country developed under the Community College Transfer Initiative (CCTI) and funded by the Jack Kent Cooke FoundationOne of eight programs in the country developed under the Community College Transfer Initiative (CCTI) and funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Designed to prepare students for the academic and social challenges they will face when they move from the community college to the University through collaborative advising and the establishment of social networksDesigned to prepare students for the academic and social challenges they will face when they move from the community college to the University through collaborative advising and the establishment of social networks

4. What is C-STEP? Partnership between UNC-Chapel Hill and three neighboring community colleges— Durham Technical Community College, Alamance Community College, and Wake Technical Community CollegePartnership between UNC-Chapel Hill and three neighboring community colleges— Durham Technical Community College, Alamance Community College, and Wake Technical Community College Targets high-achieving students of low to moderate income from the 3 community colleges and guides them through the two year process of achieving their Associate’s degree and subsequent transfer to UNC- CHTargets high-achieving students of low to moderate income from the 3 community colleges and guides them through the two year process of achieving their Associate’s degree and subsequent transfer to UNC- CH

5. What is C-STEP? Admission guaranteed to C-STEP participants as junior transfers if GPA is 3.0 or higherAdmission guaranteed to C-STEP participants as junior transfers if GPA is 3.0 or higher Admission not guaranteed to professional schools, i.e. School of Education, School of Public Health, etcAdmission not guaranteed to professional schools, i.e. School of Education, School of Public Health, etc This is NOT a scholarship program— funding not necessaryThis is NOT a scholarship program— funding not necessary

6. Participation To date, there are 53 C-STEP students enrolled at UNC-CH with an additional 81 at the partner community colleges (41 students will be entering Fall 2009)To date, there are 53 C-STEP students enrolled at UNC-CH with an additional 81 at the partner community colleges (41 students will be entering Fall 2009) Fall 2006: The first cohort at UNC-CH; consisted of 7 students; 6 have graduated!Fall 2006: The first cohort at UNC-CH; consisted of 7 students; 6 have graduated! Fall 2007: 28 students matriculated to UNC- CH; 1 December graduate!Fall 2007: 28 students matriculated to UNC- CH; 1 December graduate! Fall 2008: 28 students matriculated to UNC- CHFall 2008: 28 students matriculated to UNC- CH C-STEP academic performanceC-STEP academic performance

7. North Carolina’s Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) 16 public institutions in the UNC system and 58 community colleges in NC16 public institutions in the UNC system and 58 community colleges in NC Allows for ‘articulation’ of general education requirements between institutionsAllows for ‘articulation’ of general education requirements between institutions https://s4.its.unc.edu/sis/adm/xfereq.htmlhttps://s4.its.unc.edu/sis/adm/xfereq.htmlhttps://s4.its.unc.edu/sis/adm/xfereq.html

8. The Major For students under the CAA, the Associate’s degree fulfills the majority of the General Education requirements at UNC-CHFor students under the CAA, the Associate’s degree fulfills the majority of the General Education requirements at UNC-CH –Exceptions: Foreign language (3 levels required); Lifetime Fitness; Any prerequisites/Major courses UNC-CH Academic worksheets – planning ahead in the beginningUNC-CH Academic worksheets – planning ahead in the beginning Community College Plan of StudyCommunity College Plan of Study

9. Getting Ready for Transfer Academic workshops held for 1 st year and 2 nd year C-STEP students while at the community college: Choosing a Major, Curriculum workshops, etc. Held in Fall and Spring Individual advising meetings and emails Late spring: Meet with incoming C-STEP junior transfers, complete official academic worksheets, review courses needed for their first semester Connecting students with faculty mentors

10. C-STEP Schedule of Events for Fall 2008 In addition to the schedule above, students are required to meet with their advisor at the community college on a monthly basis DateTimeEventLocation Tuesday August 1211 amIntroductory gathering 271 Collins, Durham Tech Friday September 51 pmMeet with UNC advisors 273 Collins, Durham Tech Thursday September 125 – 7 pmKick off dinnerFriday Center, UNC Saturday October 11TBAUNC Football GameKenan Stadium, UNC Friday November 2111:30 amLunchCarolina Brewery, Franklin Street

11. Examples of Programming at UNC- CH Special summer orientation for incoming C-STEP junior transfersSpecial summer orientation for incoming C-STEP junior transfers Peer and Faculty MentorsPeer and Faculty Mentors Faculty Mentor/Mentee “Meet and Greet” receptionFaculty Mentor/Mentee “Meet and Greet” reception Beginning of the year “Kick Off Dinner” with all 4 C-STEP cohortsBeginning of the year “Kick Off Dinner” with all 4 C-STEP cohorts Monthly meetings organized around a particular themeMonthly meetings organized around a particular theme

12. It takes a University… Other UNC-CH offices involved in C- STEP:Other UNC-CH offices involved in C- STEP: –Office of Undergraduate Admissions** –University Career Services –Office of Student Academic Counseling –Office of New Student and Parent Programs –Office of Scholarships and Student Aid –Housing and Residential Education

13. What are the Benefits of C-STEP???

14. Benefits of C-STEP: the Student Perspective Without C-STEP I would have been a fish out of water so to speak. With the people I met in the program, I felt I was part of a team whose main objective was to change the world as well as graduate. Having a group of people who not only understand you, but believe in you makes all the difference in success rates. Lauren, Anthropology Major 2007 cohort Graduating Senior!

15. Benefits of C-STEP: the Student Perspective I would feel a little misplaced at Carolina because the campus is so big and the student population is HUGE. As a transfer student you usually know NO ONE when you enter as a junior and it is sometimes more difficult to make new friends. With C-STEP you already have a familiar face on campus with you, and when you run into them, it usually brightens your day. Carolina is a great and tough school and sometimes making friends and study partners isn't the first thing on your mind so it gets overlooked. C-STEP is like a family or support group at Carolina. I would feel a little misplaced at Carolina because the campus is so big and the student population is HUGE. As a transfer student you usually know NO ONE when you enter as a junior and it is sometimes more difficult to make new friends. With C-STEP you already have a familiar face on campus with you, and when you run into them, it usually brightens your day. Carolina is a great and tough school and sometimes making friends and study partners isn't the first thing on your mind so it gets overlooked. LaChaun, International Studies Major LaChaun, International Studies Major 2008 cohort 2008 cohort

16. Benefits of C-STEP: the Student Perspective The C-STEP program has helped me by boasting my confidence in my academic abilities and in myself, and by providing relief by knowing that my future is going unfolding in an auspicious direction. The relief of knowing where I was going with my life after community college was immeasurable. David, Communication Studies Major David, Communication Studies Major 2008 Cohort 2008 Cohort

17. Benefits of C-STEP: the Student Perspective Had I not participated in C-STEP, I would not be at UNC. Before I knew of C-STEP, I had no further ambition than to graduate from ACC. Because of C-STEP, I have a much larger support group, which has been integral in my surviving my first semester and the transition to UNC from a community college. I am very grateful for the program and the opportunity that it has provided to me in achieving a level of education that I felt was beyond my ability to obtain before I entered the program. It is an opportunity that I hope to put to good use in making a better future for not only myself and my daughter, but my community and if I think really ambitiously, the world. Nancy, Latin American Studies Major 2008 cohort

18. QUESTIONS???

19. Stacy R. Edwards Senior Academic Advisor/ C-STEP Advising Liaison Academic Advising Program College of Arts and Sciences and the General College UNC-Chapel Hill (919) 843-8921 sredward@email.unc.edu