1 Good news from “Inside Higher Education” Kuh “Connecting the Dots” Pascarella in “Journal of College Student Development”

2 5 CCSSE Benchmarks

3 CCSSE 2006 Results On measures of the quality of education process at SMCC 2/3 of the questions were “essentially the same” as the mean of comparison groups

4 CCSSE 2006 Results “Student-faculty interaction” at SMCC is slightly above the entire 2006 CCSSE cohort

5 CCSSE 2006 Results Where we still fall short –Active and collaborative learning –Student effort –Academic challenge –Support for learners

6 Update on SMCC MetLife Grant on Student Engagement 6

7 MetLife Grant Goals “Increase the success of entering students by embedding best practices for student engagement and college transition in first semester courses.” A shift from teacher/content centered focus to a student centered focus

8 Task Force Shane Long – Director of Student Development and Engagement Margie Fahey – Assistant Dean of Curriculum Development Joyce Leslie – Chair, Learning Assistance Center Paul Charpentier – Faculty Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, Culinary Arts faculty

9 Task Force Florence Chambers – Math faculty Ann Boyce- English faculty Paul Laslie – Building Construction faculty Larry Dhyberg – Social Science adjunct Cecelia Peaslee – Science faculty

10 Task Force Met weekly for Fall ’05 semester Jigsaw Subgroups –Classroom practice –Orientation –Institutional support

11 5 Changes to Classroom Practice Identify Problems Early –Use of CATs –Early warning system –Asst. Dean of students, advisor, instructor Encourage/model academic skills

12 5 Changes to Classroom Practice Community connections Understand the role of effort Get students to do the reading

13 Peer Mentors Mentors will be “attached” to several courses this Fall and will work closely with the faculty in those courses to provide support to students through coordinating study groups, being available for questions via- and on a drop-in basis in the Learning Assistance Center.

14 Student Handbook A day-planner will be a major feature of the new handbook. This planner will be used as part of first year courses as a way to educate students on the importance of planning, organization and time management in their success as a college student.

15 Student Handbook The handbook will also feature student testimonials throughout on the importance of the role of effort, the utilization of faculty and other support services on campus, and other topics that important in promoting student engagement and success.

16 Orientation Mandatory orientation is being made possible by the development of an on-line orientation for students unable to attend the regular on campus orientation program.