University of Utah

 The 5% program is an exception policy that allows students who do not meet the admissions index or criteria to attend the U if:  Sponsored by a campus department AND  “If their special talents or diversity enhance the institution’s life and character”  Currently any department may sponsor a student for admission as a 5% student however there are no guidelines in place for sponsoring departments to follow to ensure student success.

5 YEAR AVERAGE=157.2

 The Admissions Index weighs GPA and ACT/SAT and the minimum is re-set each year.  : 92  : 95  : 95  : 96  : 96

 Create a campus-wide sponsorship support program for 5% students.  Goal:  Increase retention and graduation rates among 5% students to match that of the institutional average.  Institute a structure/framework for all sponsoring departments to practice. Courtesy of Karleton Munn, University of Utah, M.Ed.

 All 5% students will be paired with a peer-mentor  Students participate in mentoring for 2 years: Freshman and Sophomore year.  Pairing based on self-report assessment tool  Encourage participants to return as mentors after completion of program.  Mentors will be current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who apply.  Application process and mentee-matching based on background, involvement, maturity, GPA, letters of recommendation, major etc.  Dedicated full-time SA professional(s)  Coordinates program for/with sponsoring departments  Mentor training and check ins  Interpret and utilize assessment tools  SSI Assessment Tool

 SSI is a data-driven assessment tool developed for high schools and 2-4 year colleges and universities to pinpoint college readiness, risk identification, and targeted interventions. Overview:  Self-report on 48 measure items  Generates scores based on 6 factors of motivation: Academic Engagement, Academic Self-Efficacy, Educational Commitment, Resiliency, Social Comfort, Campus Engagement.  Reports on probability of student success/risk (academic performance & retention).  Student Strengths Inventory is part of a statewide effort to promote college and career readiness.  Suder Scholars at the U of U  Included in Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) to track progress of students from childhood through career

 Schlossberg’s Transition Theory  Moving in, Moving Through, Moving Out  4 S’s: Situation, Self, Support, and Strategies  Knefelkamp/Kohlberg’s Plus-One Staging  Individuals are attracted to reasoning that is slightly more advanced than their own.  Peer-mentoring  Bronfenbrenner’s Ecology Theory  Mentor Training

MACROSYSTEM EXOSYSTEM MESOSYSTEM (Micro-systems) STUDENT Cultural Expectations Social Forces Historical Events/Trends Policy Makers Institutional/Government Policies (Financial Aid, Immigration, etc.) JobClass Friends RoommateFamily Renn & Arnold, 2003 Faculty Committee Parent or Spouse’s Workplace

 Student Strengths Inventory Tool  Participant and Mentor Survey  Overall Program Feedback  Mentor Evaluations  SA Professional coaches and evaluates

 STRENGTHS  Consistent Structure  Retention & continual development for at-risk students.  Peer Engagement  Professional Guidance  Use of a developed assessment tool  LIMITATIONS  Institution not dedicated to remedial education.  Resources  2 year limit  Mentor Training  Mentor Compensation  Cost of SSI tool & limited use after Freshman year ?