Creating a Degree completion program: Lessons learned Deanna Donaugh Kent State University ddonaugh@kent.edu

Kent State University Public, Four Year, Research Institution Eight Campus System 35,000+ Undergraduate Students 29,000+ Kent Campus 50 States 100 Countries 81.7% Retention Rate (2013 Cohort) 54.8% 6-Year Graduate Rate (2008 Cohort)

The Problem 1,800 students dropped out Senior level students (90 + earned hours) 2.0 or higher cGPA All within a 4 year period

Upon closer inspection… Actually had 1,500 students

Why is this important? 1. We have 1,500, now adult students, who have paid for and/or still paying for classes, but no degree 2. Ohio, like other states, is moving towards linking state funding to graduation rates

Where did we go from here?

Step 1: Research How are other institutions addressing this problem? What are the best practices?

Interviewed Other Schools Can you describe your program to me? Can you describe your average student? What are some challenges your students face? What are some of the challenges you face? How has your program grown over the years? Can you describe your program’s structure? How to you market your program? What professional organization do you belong to?

The Research Allen, B. The Student in Higher Education: Nontraditional Student Retention. Catalyst, 1993, 23(3). Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. Satisfaction-Priorities Report. 2013. Knowles, M.S. (1984). Adult learner: A neglected species, 3rd Edition. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing.

Best Practices Reduce/Eliminate institutional barriers Flexible programs/majors Availability of online coursework Availability of financial aid and scholarships

Questions to Ponder/Solve Our Questions…. Our campus experts…. Discussions… More discussions….. Compromise.

Question: What are our major options? What we want: flexibility, online course options Also, if possible, low math and foreign language requirements What we have: 3 flexible majors each with their own degree of flexibility All with academic catalog rules & unwritten rules Who are the experts over these majors? Discussions and Compromise

Question: Who should we reach out to? What we have: 1,500 students with 90+ earned hours, 2.0 or higher cGPA, and have been out for 2-4 years What we can do: Focus the list more: remove those with holds focus on the Kent campus students Discussion and Compromise:

Question: How does a student return to Kent? What we want: Seamless, easy to understand process Zero run around What we have: Students do not know where to start (Registrar? Admissions? ) Students may wait two-weeks or more to get an advising appointment- but which advising office Who are the experts: Discussion and Compromise:

Question: How should we reach out to them? What we have: An established relationship with these students What we can do: 3 Touch Marketing approach Personalized Letter Personalized Email Phone Call Discussion and Compromise:

Our Letter Dear <Name>: In 4 steps I can get you started toward finishing your Kent State degree. You are so close with only ­­___ credits remaining! Because of your previous hard work as a Kent State University student, you have a unique opportunity to reach step 5: GRADUATION! I'm confident we can work together to develop a plan to make your graduation a reality in the shortest time possible. Take the first step! I will talk to you in the next couple of weeks, but if you are ready to get started now, please give me a call at 330-672-0997 or email me at ddonaugh@kent.edu. You have worked so hard and I can help you with the final steps to graduation. I look forward to talking to you soon! Sincerely, Deanna   Deanna Donaugh Assistant Director University Degree Completion Program

Question: How do we track these students? What we want: Each student be given degree completion student indicator What we have: A system that cannot create this type of indicator Who are the Experts: Discussion and Compromise:

Question: Can we offer any financial incentives? What we want: Degree completion scholarship, ability to charge students in-state tuition, remove all fees What we can do: A small scholarship for each student Removing of some fees (graduation fee) Discussion and compromise:

Our Degree Completion Program Focuses on senior level students w/ 90+ hours, 2.0 or higher cGPA, and out for 2+ years Filtered into 1 of 3 flexible major options One stop shop approach- we serve as their Admissions Counsel Registrar Advisor Graduation Clearance 3 Touch Marketing Approach

Recruiting Data Since 2014 we have reached out to 1,377 students We have had 361 students respond (26.21%) We have 187 In-Classes/Graduate (51.80%) 99 Students graduated (49.25%) 49 Students in- classes currently (24.37%) 16 Students started, but stopped (7.96%) Note- difference is the result of referrals

Average Amount of Classes Needed

99 Students Graduated (49.25%) Who is returning? 24% Need 1 Semester Age Range 25-68 55% Male 45% Female 10% Needed 0 Credit Hours 99 Students Graduated (49.25%)

Graduation Data

Financial Cost Staffing = $61,137 Marketing = $1,400 1 full time employee 1 part-time employee Marketing = $1,400 Personalized letters and envelopes 2x/year Over a 3 year period = $187,011

Scholarship Money This money is provided from the Provost’s Budget 2014-2015 = $22,000 2015-2016 = $42,000 2016-2017 = $16,000 (so far) Spring 2017 Project ~$16,000 Summer 2017 Project ~$13,000 Total (w/Projections)= $109,000

Program Impact University has received some local attention for the program Assisting with increasing out graduation rates- University goal is to reach 65% graduation rate Helping students finish what they started

(Note: does not take into account F16/S17 graduates) Return on Investment We received from the state approximately $4,000/graduate 99 graduates X $4,000 = $396,000 (Note: does not take into account F16/S17 graduates) $396,000 (income) - $187,611 (cost) - $109,000 (scholarships) = $99,389

Future Plans for Improvement Increase career resources Joining with the new Center for Career Exploration and Development Creating an online student community Creating easier paths to technology New marketing technique Proposing a pilot program utilizing PLA Reach out to some local industries (i.e. University Hospitals)