Explore Ways to Expand Transition Programs Beyond the First-Year Susan Fanale & Susan Bertelsmeyer Saint Louis University

Learning Outcomes Participants will… Learn about SLU’s comprehensive First-Year Experience, Sophomore/Junior-Year Experience, Senior-Year Experience Understand lessons learned as SLU developed transition programs Share information about transition programs at other institutions

Saint Louis University Catholic, Jesuit University Urban, residential campus Total enrollment for fall 2009: 13,313 Total undergraduate: 8,119 59% women, 41% men 818 international students 57% out-of-state

Undergraduate Initiatives Overview First-Year Experience Sophomore/Junior-Year Experience Senior-Year Experience Living Learning Programs Commuter and Transfer Programs

Undergraduate Initiatives Overview Division of Student Development Professional Staff: –Director –2 Coordinators –2 part-time Coordinators –Graduate Assistant –3 Student Workers –2 Collateral Assignments Student Leaders: –20 SLU 101 Leaders –130 Oriflamme Leaders –6 Transfer Mentors –2 Commuter Assistants

First-Year Experience SLU 101 Summer Orientation Welcome Week Fall Orientation First-Year Summer Reading Learning Communities/ FIGs Freshman Commuter Programs TRANSFERmations Paraprofessional Mentors First-Year Experience Courses Freshman/Sophomore Residency Requirement SLU Inquiry Courses Academic Advising Major & Career Exploration Involvement & Leadership

First-Year Experience Learning Communities Placed on one or more floors of a residence hall Students of same/similar academic interests or majors Social and educational environments

First-Year Experience First-Year Interest Groups Connected to a Learning Community Co-enrolled options for fall semester Enrolled in two to three courses together with peers while living together Assists with college transition

First-Year Experience TRANSFERmations Program 6 week focus –Welcome Week Connections –Getting Involved –Being a Billiken –Service –Exploring Saint Louis –Academic Preparation Transfer Mentors

Sophomore/Junior-Year Experience Developing relationships with Jesuits and faculty Reconnecting with Campus Community Wellness Career Development Class Identity Multicultural Competence Involvement & Leadership

Senior-Year Experience Senior Mailing Senior Legacy Symposium Senior Reception with the Jesuits Senior Night at Billiken Basketball Game Educational Sessions Online Resources

Marketing Text treatments Facebook Partnership with Enrollment Management Transfer Newsletters Individual program marketing University News SLU Connections Transition Checklists

How We Got Here Undergraduate Initiatives Committee with task forces: –First-Year Experience –Sophomore/Junior-Year Experience –Senior-Year Experience Key leadership of task forces – faculty and staff co-chairs Top-down support of Vice Presidents Culture of change at SLU Focus on retention from Student and Academic Affairs Partnership with Institutional Research Student receptiveness to data driven culture Student Development Learning Outcomes

Lessons Learned Involve Campus Partners early and throughout the process Collaborative v. cooperative Partnering with key departments Marketing is key Student feedback Utilizing assessment data Start with outcomes Align resources – financial, personnel, time Identify campus champions

Future Goals Assessment of new programs Redefine relationship with new Vice President of Frost structure Integrate more technology into programs Incorporate more diversity into programs and services Incorporate Jesuits and Jesuit Mission into programs Educating campus community

Roundtable What does your campus do particularly well? Gaps in your transition programs Suggestions for new initiatives Tips for success

Questions?