2015 NACADA International Conference Rayna Tagalicod, M.Ed. Chair, Mānoa Sophomore Experience Academic Advisor, Mānoa Advising Center Don’t Gamble With the Sophomore Slump: Ensure Success With Your Sophomore Students

Public Four-year Land-, sea-, & space-grant research institution Commuter campus UHM Profile

Mānoa Institutional Research Office, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. (2012). Headcount enrollment ethnicity. Student Ethnicities

2014 Total Enrollment19,507 Undergraduate Enrollment14,126 Sophomores (25-54 credits)2,491 Manoa Institutional Research Office, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. (2014). Headcount enrollment by registration status. Student Enrollment

Drop-Out Rates 2011 CohortPercent Loss 1 st → 2 nd year 22% 2 nd → 3 rd year 8% 3 rd → 4 th year 4% Manoa Institutional Research Office, University of Hawaiʻi System (2013). 1 st → 2 nd Year Percent Loss %22.1% % %

Formed in 2010 Initiated by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education Mission: Help freshmen and sophomores navigate academic requirements and campus life so they become engaged with the campus community and invested in their college experienc e Program primarily operated by 1 chair and 1 peer mentor Manoa Sophomore Experience (MSE)

Second efforts have difficulty meeting or surpassing standards of the first Thrill of college subsides and reality sets in Period of developmental confusion Uncertainty in major, career, or personal identity The “middle child syndrome” or “forgotten year” May start as early as second semester of the first year Three general areas that cause sophomores the most stress: academics, personal, or relationships Sophomore Slump

Online Survey (601 responses) Written Assignment (444 responses) Focus Groups (2 sessions) Assessment Methods

Peer mentoring/guidance Interaction with faculty Major/career confusion Lack of finances Lack of connections Recognition in 1 st year Themes from Assessment

Panel Series Peer Mentoring Achievement Scholarships Success Tips Program & Sophomore Slump Awareness Sophomore Seminar MSE Programming

Sundaes with Students Panel of upperclassmen sharing their experiences as underclassmen at UHM and advice about making the most of the college experience Assists with peer mentoring/guidance, major/career confusion, and lack of connections Free sundaes 196 students Fraps with Faculty Panel of current faculty sharing their college experiences and advice about making the most of the college experience Assists with interaction with faculty, major/career confusion, and lack of connections Free Starbucks fraps and cookies 146 students Panel Series

Pizza with Professionals Panel of professionals (UHM alumni) sharing: How they decided on and reached their position/ career Their college experiences and advice about how to make the most of the college experience What to expect and how to prepare for 1) starting a career and 2) life after graduation Assist with major/career confusion and lack of connections Free pizza and soda 112 students Panel Series Continued

Mentor freshmen and sophomores with academic or personal challenges Assists with peer mentoring/guidance, major/career confusion, lack of finances, and lack of connections 30-minute appointments 15 students Peer Mentoring

Goals: Assists with lack of finances Recognize exemplary freshmen and sophomores Encourage academic and co-curricular engagement Motivate students to persevere at UHM $3,000 available : 3 students awarded $1, : 5 students ( 4 received $500 and a 1 received $1,000 ) Achievement Scholarships

Advice and tips from upperclassmen on lessons they have learned from their experiences as freshmen and sophomores at UHM Provides underclassmen with information that upperclassmen “know now that they wish they knew as freshmen and sophomores” Assists with peer mentoring/guidance, major/career confusion, lack of finances, and lack of connections 220 participants and 2,665 tips collected Success Tips

Explain the program, advertise services, promote upcoming events, and raise awareness about the sophomore slump Assists with lack of connections Events: Learning Communities Freshman Seminars English 100 New Student Orientation Campus Center Tables Involvement Fair Program and Sophomore Slump Awareness

CAS 111: The Fresh-More Experience Provides freshmen and sophomores with the knowledge and skills to thrive in their second- semester or year at UHM Assists with interaction with faculty, major/career confusion, lack of connections, recognition in the 1 st year Course Objectives: Explore different majors with the goal of selecting one or narrowing choices Become familiar with advising offices and services on campus Become knowledgeable about the sophomore slump and ways to address it Begin preparation for post-graduation endeavors Reflect on the first-year experience and plan for future academic, career, and personal goals Sophomore Seminar

Topics Covered: Student development theory Sophomore Slump Major exploration Academic advising Graduate school preparation Career exploration Assignments (writing intensive course) Self-reflection written assignments (pre- and post-) Reflection written assignments after advising appointments and MSE events Comparing different majors paper and presentation Enrollment Eligibility: Be undecided on their major Freshman or sophomore who has attended UHM for at least one semester Sophomore Seminar Continued

First and only program on campus dedicated to sophomores Student awareness and participation increasing every semester Gained support of faculty, other departments, and administration Student feedback: “I wish I came to this event earlier in my academic career because it was inspirational” “Helped me understand colleges up and downs and how to conquer these problems. The information was helpful” “Panelists messages were great and it does open your eyes because telling stories in person is more effective” Program Successes

Student attendance not guaranteed No consistency in student attendance Marketing events Funding Workload difficulties Program Challenges

What type of challenges do your sophomores face? Does your institution offer any programming specifically for sophomores? If so, what were the outcomes (challenges, results, and implications) of the programming? If not, what type of programming would you like to implement and what challenges do you foresee? How do you think you can help sophomores at your institution? Group Discussion

Be aware of the challenges your sophomores face Design programming based on assessment results Have programming specifically for sophomores Market programming at any opportunity Ensure your students are aware of the Sophomore Slump Gain constituency support Collect feedback Lessons Learned/Best Practices

Contact Information Rayna Tagalicod Website: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/sophomore