uh.edu/uep Urban Experience Program Presented by Director, Dr. Raven Jones

uh.edu/uep Presentation Outline  Center Overview  Guiding Principles  Mission Achievement  Goal Achievement  Current Initiatives  FY2015 Goals

uh.edu/uep What is the Urban Experience Program? The Urban Experience Program is a retention and recruitment program designed to support qualified students in their quest for academic excellence and upward mobility through higher education. The purpose of this program is to provide a supportive learning environment for students in order to increase the UH retention rate.

uh.edu/uep UEP Overview The Mission of the Urban Experience Program is to: We empower students with academic, personal and professional development resources that propels student’s success. The Spirit of the UEP program is to Encourage, Enlighten, Empower and Embrace all those we encounter. The Motto is Graduation Starts Here!...Life After Graduation!

uh.edu/uep UEP Changes Strengths- – Legacy of Program – Multifaceted Approach to Student Success – One Stop Shop/ Referrals for Students Weaknesses- – Top Heavy/No Feeder – Access/Location On Campus – Change in Leadership Opportunities- – Rebranding-New and Improved Obstacles- – Definition of Program  Retirement of Director of 10 years  Interim Directors Spring 2014  New Director Hired August 4, 2014

uh.edu/uep UEP Offers So Much to UH Students! Strengths Items For Consideration Weaknesses Wholstic Approach *(Individual action map (IAM)* Tutoring Guaranteed 4.0 workshop Referrals for appropriate services and career assessment Financial Assistance Computer aided instruction Financial Empowerment workshops Internships Career Opportunities with UEP partners Community Service Academic Success Workshops Mentoring Cultural Enrichment Activities

uh.edu/uep Pillars of UEP MembershipQuality Programming Financial Literacy Academic Scholars Creative Collaborations Premier Partnerships Graduation Starts Here! Encourage Enlighten Empower Embrace UEP: We empower students with academic, personal and professional development resources that propels student’s success.

uh.edu/uep Strategic Goals Achieved Goals – Clarification of staff responsibilities-student leaders () – Marketing Plan/Communication on UH campus (5.a, 5.b, 5.c) – Increased Enrollment and Active Membership (1.a,1.b,1.d,1.e,1.f) In-Progress Goals – Increased Enrollment and Active Membership (1.a,1.b,1.d,1.e,1.f) – Visioning & Strategic Planning (6.a,) – Brand Image-Marketing is Working-visibility on UH campus (5.a, 5.b, 5.c) – Revamp of UEP Grant to align with UEP mission (2.a., 2.b,2.c, 4.a, 4.c, 6.a) – Increased Authentic Civic Volunteer Opportunities (3.b,3.c) – Active Fundraising through UH Development Department(6,c) Changed Goals – Assessments of Program (4.a,4.c)

uh.edu/uep UEP Accomplishments!!

uh.edu/uep Partnerships and Collaborations

uh.edu/uep SFAC Previous Recommendations  …We would also like to see enhanced promotion and awareness of this program on campus in order to allow more students the opportunity to participate in this program. We look forward to the changes that will follow from the transition to new leadership and a new program coordinator.  …you start marketing your program to the entire UH student population…we want to ensure that all students have an equal chance of participating in this program.

uh.edu/uep Marketing/Communication Implementation Events and Promotions !

uh.edu/uep Current and Upcoming Initiatives  Increase Academic Focused Initiative  Inclusion and Diversity  UEP Living Learning Community  Global Learning Initiatives  Creating a unified vision and culture.

uh.edu/uep Goals for Goal #1: Emphasize the importance of community by creating opportunities wherein UEP active members as well as general members have an opportunity to grow with each other and the greater UH community. Goal #2: Increase student involvement in Urban Experience Program

uh.edu/uep Goals for Continued Goal #3: Increase quality programming offerings Goal #4: Establish effective policies and procedures for student financial assistance that align with UEP mission and foster academic achievement. Goal 5 #1: Execute effective marketing strategies for enrollment and membership.

uh.edu/uep FY 16 Base Augmentation Graduate Assistant Position – Position currently being funded from scholarship fund – Better financial operations – Allows UEP to provide more students get grants! – TOTAL REQUESTED- $20,000

uh.edu/uep Q& A GO COOGS!!! Urban Experience Program Presented by Director, Dr. Raven Jones