RETAINING FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA AFCC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2015 Tanya Fritz, M.A. Coordinator, First Generation Freshmen Program Dr. Jan Lloyd-Lesley AVP, Student Development

Seminole State College of Florida: Fast Facts Located in Sanford/Lake Mary 3 rd largest employer in Seminole County Annual headcount of 30,701 (13-14) Fall 2014 – 2,639 FTIC overall Fall 2014 – 818 FTIC first generation

First Generation Students More likely to: Need remedial coursework Drop out of college Be a minority Come from low-income families

First Generation Students Work while in college Live off campus Report lower educational expectations Have limited knowledge on navigating college and how to pay for college Hesitant to ask for help Resources: Choy, S. Students Whose Parents Did Not Go to College: Postsecondary Access, Persistence, and Attainment. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics Engle, Jennifer. “Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students.” American Academic, Vol

History In 2012, College identified need to support and retain first generation students Program costs funded by an annual private grant ($50,000) Scholarships funded by private donor ($1,000 for two years)

Organizational Structure Housed under Student Development within Student Affairs 1 Full-Time Coordinator/Advisor 1 Part-Time Advisor Cohort-based scholarship program

Program Goals For target group of first time in college, low income, first generation in college students: Improve retention rates by 10% (Fall-to-Fall) Provide a sense of community to students Provide social opportunities for students to meet other students

Services Provided Assigned academic advising and career development Financial aid assistance and scholarship information and funding Transfer assistance Access to private student lounge and computer lab Priority class registration Peer mentoring Student success workshops, social and cultural enrichment activities Referrals to appropriate resources Comprehensive support while attending Seminole State College

Retention Strategies Recruit & Select: Initial Communication Orientation College Success Course Intrusive Advising Ongoing Communication Student Success Programming Peer Mentors

Cohort Snapshot 53 students Minority: 47% Female: 62% Male: 38% Age 18-24: 91%

Program Assessment Term-to-term & Fall-to-Fall re-enrollment data Number of degree completions Student satisfaction surveys

Course Completion & Retention Results

Graduation Results 21 students have completed an A.A. or a Certificate as of May graduates have been awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship

Contacts Tanya Fritz Dr. Jan Lloyd First Generation Freshmen Website: