First Year Learning Communities as a Transition & Retention Strategy Brett Bruner Director of Persistence & Retention Alma Hidalgo Graduate Assistant for Student Programs Graduate Peer Mentor for Heart & Mind: Philosophizing About the Arts Learning Community Fort Hays State University 2014 Kansas Student Affairs Conference | Lawrence, KS

Overview Learning Outcomes Background Information Goals of Participants Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities o Program Foundation o Guiding Fundamental Principles o Historical Evolution o Administrative Staffing Structure o Program Staffing Structure o Collaboration Using Data to Inform our Practice Lessons Learned Along the Way Moving Forward

Learning Outcomes As a result of participating in this educational session, participants will: Compare & contrast the definitions of “transition” and “retention” as defined by the 2012 Task Force of NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition & Retention in Higher Education Describe the transition & retention impacts of the Learning Communities at Fort Hays State University over the past 5 years Identify 2 new strategies for collaboration in developing a new or enhancing an existing learning community program

Background Information Fort Hays State University o Division of Student Affairs Enrollment Management Cluster Student Support Services Cluster Student Life Cluster o Memorial Union o Office of International Student Services o Office of Residential Life o Office of Persistence & Retention New Student Orientation & Transition Programs First Year Experience University Retention Initiatives Family Engagement Learning Communities

Presenters Brett Bruner Director of Persistence & Retention Administrative Staff for Learning Communities Program Alma Hidalgo Graduate Assistant for Student Programs (in the Center for Student Involvement) Graduate Peer Mentor for the Heart & Mind: Philosophizing about the Arts Learning Community

Goals of Participants Why did you choose this educational session? What are you hoping to gain?

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Program Foundation 2 options: o Major area(s) of study o Open topics of interest 2-3 dedicated & integrated courses in the Fall 1-2 dedicated & integrated courses in the Spring Residential living on the same floor/wing Signature Co-Curricular Experience LC Move-in & Orientation Experience

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Guiding Fundamental Principles Culture of Cohesion Student-to-Institution Bond (the “Cheers Effect”) Integration of the Curriculum Maintaining a Balance of Hypo- & Hyper-bonding

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Historical Evolution Year 1 ( ) – 1 community 1 Learning Community L3: Live. Learn. Lead. o College of Arts & Sciences o Department of Leadership Studies (lead coordinating) o Department of Political Science & Department of Psychology (supporting) Year 2 ( ) – 3 total communities Go Global o College of Arts & Sciences o Department of Geosciences (lead coordinating) o Department of Modern Languages & Department of Political Science (supporting) PIs: Psych Investigators o College of Arts & Sciences o Department of Psychology (lead coordinating)

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Historical Evolution Year 3 ( ) – 6 total communities 4C Innovation o College of Business & Entrepeneurship o Department of Informatics (lead coordinating) o Department of Communication Studies (supporting) BeFit: BeneFit from Wellness o College of Health & Life Sciences o Department of Health & Human Performance (lead coordinating) Heart & Mind: Philosophizing About the Arts o College of Arts & Sciences o Department of Philosophy (lead coordinating) o Department of Music & Theatre (supporting)

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Historical Evolution Year 4 ( ) – 9 total communities Everybody’s Business o College of Business & Entrepreneurship o Department of Economics, Finance & Accounting (lead coordinating) o Department of English & Department of Management & Marketing (supporting) Global Justice o College of Arts & Sciences o Department of Justice Studies (lead coordinating) Opportunity Through Education o College of Education & Technology o Department of Teacher Education (lead coordinating)

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Historical Evolution Year 5 ( ) – 13 total communities (maximum capacity) Athletic Training Education o College of Health & Life Sciences o Department of Health & Human Performance (lead coordinating) Health Professions o College of Arts & Sciences o Department of Chemistry (lead coordinating) Nightingale Power – C3 (Care, Communicate & Comfort) o College of Health & Life Sciences o Department of Nursing (lead coordinating) o Department of Biological Sciences (supporting) Outdoor Adventure o College of Health & Life Sciences o Department of Health & Human Performance (lead coordinating)

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Administrative Staffing Structure Director of Persistence & Retention Graduate Assistant for Learning Communities & Student Life Undergraduate Learning Community Ambassadors Vice President for Student Affairs Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Program Staffing Structure Faculty Coordinators Peer Mentors UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar Instructors LC Resident Assistants

Introduction to the FHSU Learning Communities Collaborative Offices Office of Admissions Office of Residential Life Office of the Provost

Using Data to Inform Our Practice ACT Analysis Fall 2012 o 129 students – 6 LCs o ACT Range – Fall 2011 o 73 students – 3 LCs o ACT Range – Fall 2010 o 28 students – 1 LC o ACT Range – 18-33

Using Data to Inform Our Practice LC Annual Reporting Fall 2012 o Fall Overall LC GPA2.55 o Fall FT On-Campus FR GPA2.40 Fall 2012 to Spring 2013 Retention Rate o LCs 90% o FT On-Campus FR88%

Using Data to Inform Our Practice 20 th Day ISM Retention Report – LC Section

Lessons Learned Along the Way It takes time to build Establish clear roles & responsibilities Should the Faculty Coordinator be an instructor during the first year? Engage parents & families throughout the process Some communities just won’t make, despite all our efforts

Lessons Learned Along the Way Marketing & Recruitment are Key! FHSU’s Marketing & Recruitment Plan o Attendance at Scholarship Recognition Programs (January through March) o Calling Nights (February) o Individual Faculty Coordinator Videos (February though April) o Presence at Tiger STRIPES: Orientation & Pre-Enrollment Days (April through June) o Summer Series from LC Ambassadors (July through August)

Moving Forward Introduction of Vertical Learning Communities o P4: Physics & Pre-Engineering Pilot Program College of Arts & Sciences Department of Physics (lead coordinating) o Potential growth opportunity with Graphic Design (Department of Art & Design) StrengthsQuest infusion through LC UNIV 101 courses Process for introduction of new LCs & removing non-high performing ones Inter-LC programmatic efforts throughout the year Culminating symbolic ending LC experience

First Year Learning Communities as a Transition & Retention Strategy Brett Bruner Director of Persistence & Retention Alma Hidalgo Graduate Assistant for Student Programs Graduate Peer Mentor for Heart & Mind: Philosophizing About the Arts Learning Community