In this session, participants will learn what assessment of student engagement has shown St. Louis Community College (STLCC) about transfer success and retention of students from one term to the next. Specifically we will examine the impact of: perception of college’s support for success; counselor / advisor advice; early selection of a major; career planning; student and first term experience. 2

Assessment is a mission- based, continuous improvement process involving the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and use of data by faculty and staff to improve student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness. 3

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STLCC collects and uses assessment data to improve student learning, academic achievement, and institutional effectiveness. When combined with thoughtful interpretation by faculty and staff, assessment supports the overall decision-making needs of the College and the specific decision-making needs of individual units, departments, and programs. 5

STLCC Assessment Theme: Student Engagement & Student Learning Outcome 6

I DID Process  INQUIRE — What Do We Want To Know? Define the specific area or student learning outcome to be assessed.  DISCOVER — What Do We Know? Identify data sources and methods of assessment, and collect assessment data.  INTERPRET — What does the information tell us? Analyze and share the results of the data.  DEVELOP — What actions do we plan to take? Use results to design strategies to improve student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness. LAASIE Process  Listen, Look & Learn — Specify what needs to be examined.  Act — Determine how to address the issue under examination.  Another Look — Examine the data collected and analyze results.  Share The News — Report what was learned.  Improve & Celebrate — Use the data to make improvements.  Excel — Integrate changes into the unit or program’s ongoing operation. 7

‘07 – ‘08 Theme: STLCC Student Engagement CCSSE Student Voice Focus Groups New Student & CTE Surveys 8

CCSSE data on STLCC students. 9

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How much did STLCC emphasize providing the support you need to help you succeed in college? Very Much, 30.3% Quite A Bit, 42.7% How much did STLCC emphasize encouraging contact among students from different economic, social and racial/ethnic backgrounds? Very Much, 16.4% Quite A Bit, 30.5% 11

How much did STLCC emphasize helping you cope with your non-academic responsibilities? Very Much, 8.6% Quite A Bit, 16.9% How often did you use the academic advising/planning services? Very Much, 30.3% Quite A Bit, 42.7% 12

How often did you use the career counseling services? Often, 5.5% Sometimes, 21.6% How much did STLCC emphasize providing the support you need to thrive socially? Very Much, 9.4% Quite A Bit, 21.0% How much did STLCC emphasize providing the financial support you need to afford your education? Very Much 23.4% Quite A Bit, 23.4% 13

“Thus, it appears that this year the Transfer Education Committee will focus on the degree to which students are using advisors, counselors, and teachers to help them make the transition from STLCC to a four-year institution.” 14

Inquire How might STLCC to UMSL transfer students more fully engage in their transfer experience and make better use of STLCC and UMSL counselors and advisors?How might STLCC to UMSL transfer students more fully engage in their transfer experience and make better use of STLCC and UMSL counselors and advisors? Discover Hold focus groups sessions with three groups of STLCC to UMSL transfer students: new transfer students; transfer students with UMSL credit hours; and transfer students who will graduate from UMSL in Spring 2008.Hold focus groups sessions with three groups of STLCC to UMSL transfer students: new transfer students; transfer students with UMSL credit hours; and transfer students who will graduate from UMSL in Spring Interpret Students do not use advising services as much as we would like, but a good portion of those who did transfer sought advice at both the community college and at UMSL.Students do not use advising services as much as we would like, but a good portion of those who did transfer sought advice at both the community college and at UMSL. Students perceive themselves to be just as prepared if not better prepared than native students at UMSL, a finding consistent with last year’s assessment of GPA’s.Students perceive themselves to be just as prepared if not better prepared than native students at UMSL, a finding consistent with last year’s assessment of GPA’s. 15

Interpret (cont’d) Some students reported that even though they heard differing stories about what would transfer, even from the same department, they still “found their way.”Some students reported that even though they heard differing stories about what would transfer, even from the same department, they still “found their way.” Students who perceive themselves as having a successful transfer are self-motivated.Students who perceive themselves as having a successful transfer are self-motivated. it seems that (Gen Ed) articulation agreements are sometimes not honored.it seems that (Gen Ed) articulation agreements are sometimes not honored. Develop #1 Require all first-time, degree-seeking students to participate in orientation training that provides them with information about what is involved in the transfer process and how they can they become their own advocate.Require all first-time, degree-seeking students to participate in orientation training that provides them with information about what is involved in the transfer process and how they can they become their own advocate. Develop #2 Place a “Registration Hold” on student records so that students may not register until they have satisfied the advising requirement (above) according to one of several prescribed means.Place a “Registration Hold” on student records so that students may not register until they have satisfied the advising requirement (above) according to one of several prescribed means. Develop #3 Offer a mentoring program with successfully transferred UMSL students helping or advising STLCC students.Offer a mentoring program with successfully transferred UMSL students helping or advising STLCC students. 16

Inquire “What factors affect retention in CTE programs and how can we best improve retention in CTE programs?” 17

Q33. Please think back to the first semester you enrolled with St. Louis Community College when answering the following questions. “When you first enrolled at STLCC, did you receive information regarding the programs that were available?” CountPercent %Yes %No %Uncertain 194 Respondents 18

Q34. Please think back to the first semester you enrolled with St. Louis Community College when answering the following questions. “When you first enrolled at STLCC, did you think you were academically prepared to do college-level coursework?” CountPercent %Yes %No %Uncertain 194 Respondents 19

Q35. Please think back to the first semester you enrolled with St. Louis Community College when answering the following questions. “When you first enrolled at STLCC, were you encouraged to select a major?” CountPercent %Yes %No %Uncertain 194 Respondents 20

Using CCSSE data to explore STLCC students’ engagement with vital services. 21

Service AreaNot At All Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied Not Applicable Academic Advising Career Counseling Job Placement Peer of Other Tutoring Academic Skill Labs Child Care Financial Aid Advising

Service AreaNot At All Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Very Satisfied Not Applicable Computer Lab Student Organizations Transfer Credit Assistance Disability Services

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“Student Voice” & STLCC’s “New To College” Survey are used to discover what students’ first-term experience is like. 25

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“Analyze and share the results of the data.” 28

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Service Very Often FrequentlySometimesRarelyNeverAcademicAdvising4%11%23%38%24% CareerCounseling2%5%7%20%66% Peer or OtherTutoring6%5%11%8%70% Academic Skill Labs 9%7%12%14%58% TransferAdvising3%5%8%13%71% 30

ServiceVerySatisfiedSatisfiedNeutralDissatisfiedVeryDissatisfiedAcademicAdvising32%33%24%5%6% CareerCounseling28%30%33%4%5% Peer or OtherTutoring38%23%32%4%2% Academic Skill Labs 33%33%28%3%3% TransferAdvising24%25%38%7%6% 31

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DEVELOP Use results to design strategies to improve student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness. 38

Newly instituted “Office of Enrollment Management” “New Student Enrollment Orientation,” a collaborative effort to provide students with a smooth transition to STLCC More sections of College 020: College Orientation and Study Skills 39