Wayne State University Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC) MACRAO Innovation in Transfer Award 2017 Wayne State University Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC)

TSSC Presenters Douglas Freed, Director, TSSC since 2015 (first permanent director of the Center) Held a variety of administrative positions in higher education since 1986, in both community college and university Includes admissions, enrollment management, registration, marketing, extension programs, and chief enrollment officer

Presenters TSSC Jo Bains, Manager, TSSC since 2015 Started at WSU in 2011 in our Student Service Center, which serves as a liaison for Admissions, Financial Aid, Registration and Records, and Student Accounts Receivable Higher education career began in 2009 as an Enrollment Center representative, then transitioned to Financial Aid before coming to Wayne State

--within the Provost’s Office TSSC Established 2014 by Wayne State University’s Division of Educational Outreach and International Programs --within the Provost’s Office

internally with both academic and student services units TSSC Purpose Envisioned as a hub to assist transfer students in navigating Wayne State and advocate on their behalf: internally with both academic and student services units externally through partnerships with community colleges and stakeholders

Promote transfer student success from prospect through graduation. TSSC Mission Promote transfer student success from prospect through graduation. “When transfer students don’t know where to go, they can head to the TSSC.”

TSSC Scope The Center has a breadth of responsibility and influence across activities related to transfer students, including: direct student service transfer student recruitment scholarship awards transitioning activities such as Orientation and transfer credit evaluation and academic advising

Center staffing consists of: full-time director full-time manager TSSC Staffing Center staffing consists of: full-time director full-time manager part-time student assistants

Partnerships and CC Collaborations TSSC Partnerships and CC Collaborations Overseeing articulation and reverse transfer agreements Engaging with CC executive leadership to develop strategic partnerships Informing counselors/advisors and staff on programs, curriculum, scholarships and information for students Custom visit programs for CC staff

Transitions: A Community College Conversation TSSC Transitions: A Community College Conversation On-campus event for community college staff, faculty and administrators for the purpose of engaging in conversation about transfer student success and ways we can better serve them.

Pre-Admission Direct Student Outreach and Service TSSC Pre-Admission Direct Student Outreach and Service Student Information Session visits at CC’s Transfer Student Open Houses Unofficial transfer credit evaluations prior to admission application Direct student service, providing information on admissions, transfer credit, Orientation, and others

Pre-Admission Direct Student Outreach and Service TSSC Pre-Admission Direct Student Outreach and Service Custom visit programs for student groups Academic advising on-site at major feeders Phi Theta Kappa Day, an on-campus program to focus on PTK students and advisors Web site at tssc.wayne.edu

Post-Admission Student Engagement and Support TSSC Post-Admission Student Engagement and Support Very personal and proactive approach to supporting students after they are admitted to WSU, which includes active engagement and follow-up as well as aggressive use of data to support students.

Post-Admission Student Engagement and Support TSSC Post-Admission Student Engagement and Support Ensuring service to students Customized presentations to admitted transfer students at University Open Houses, new student days, new student Welcome and other yield activities. Collaborating with our Division of Student Success and Engagement on design and engagement in multiple transfer Orientation programs on a year-round basis. Collaborating with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in review and award of Transfer Merit Scholarships

Post-Admission Student Engagement and Support TSSC Post-Admission Student Engagement and Support Reviewing admitted student transcripts to determine if they have met MTA requirements but do not have the MTA endorsement on their transcript. Transfer Student Learning Community to support transfer students, particularly during the first semester at WSU. Initiated chapter of Tau Sigma, a national transfer honor society.

TSSC Success Measures Applications and admissions have increased each year since 2014 New transfer enrollment - Fall 2016 was up nearly 7%. Fall 2017 up 1%. CC yield up 7 - 11% for Fall 2015, 2016 and 2017 compared to Fall 2014 baseline Orientation attendance increased 8% for Fall 2017 over Fall 2016

TSSC Success Measures Students provided direct service in the TSSC increased more than 50% from 2014-15 to 2016-17, with a satisfaction rating of 3.53 on a 4.0 scale Tripled Articulation Agreement usage from Fall 16 to Fall 17 Year to year retention - 78.4% in Fall 2016, highest in 5 years 52% of graduates at Winter 2017 Commencement were transfers Awarded 2017 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll designation for transfer student success, one of only 65 universities nationally

TSSC Summary Wayne State University’s commitment to supporting transfer students and ensuring their success was the catalyst and driver for establishing the center in 2014. Now transfer students have a “home” on campus they to which they can reach out at and get support anytime during their journey at WSU.   Furthermore, the Center’s support has helped create more efficient processes and ensured that practices and services include transfer students.

Wayne State University Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC) Questions? MACRAO Innovation in Transfer Award 2017 Wayne State University Transfer Student Success Center (TSSC)