Bringing Transfer Students into the Fold: The Interim Advising Program Response to Transfer Student Issues at the University of Maryland (UM) Presenter: Keonna A.N. Feaster and Evelyn E. Cooper, Ph.D. January 24, 2008

2 What is the Interim Advising Program (IAP) ?  Population Served Transfer students with 60+ credits who were not admitted to Limited Enrollment Programs  Services Provided Comprehensive Academic Advising Academic Support Services  Goal Assist high credit transfer students to “prepare to declare” a major within 2 semesters

3 Role of Interim Advising Program Advisor  Serves as the liaison to academic departments on campus for transfer student issues  Contacts students weekly regarding academic policies and campus events  Coordinates academic and social programming  Refers students to appropriate campus resources  Helps students identify alternate majors

4 IAP enrollment

5 UM transfer student populations N=*3,065 *Total does not sum to 100% due to rounding

6 More about IAP students, Fall 2007 cohort  170 students 75% 1st semester students 25% 2nd semester students 83% full-time students 17% part-time students 48% females 51% males

7 IAP racial and ethnic identity, Fall 2007 cohort N=170

8 Fall 2007 cohort: Origins N=170

9  IAP student agreement  Mandatory advising  Exploration option  Two semester plan IAP advising tools

10 Exploration options Purpose: To learn more about a major and or career of interest  One credit course  Exploration Activity  Career counseling or major advising  Attend a workshop  An informational interview with a faculty or staff member

11 Two semester plan Purpose: To plan courses for upcoming semester  CORE courses Lower Level Upper Level  Major courses Gateway requirements Supporting Sequences Electives

12 Social and academic programming  Lunch & Learn Series  Tau Sigma Honor Society

13 Additional resources  Learning Assistance Services: Transfer Student Program ing.umd.edu/LAS ing.umd.edu/LAS  New and Improved LTSC website: Transfer Student Section edu edu

14 IAP Major interests 46% Business 27% Engineering 10% Education 7% Government & Politics 6% Psychology 5% Journalism 4% Communication 4% Architecture

15 Major distribution after one year at UM?  Engineering  Economics  Government  Criminal Justice  Psychology  Business  Family Studies  English  HistoryEducation  Mathematics  Ag. and Res. Econ.  Biology  Communication  Community Hlth.  Art (studio)  Geography  Journalism  Kinesiology  Landscape Arch.  Spanish  Women's Studies Fall 2006 Cohort Top 5 Majors! Declared Fall 2007 Engineering Economics Government Criminal Justice Psychology N=116 IAP

16 Program outcomes  IAP students are: declaring their majors within their first 2 semesters at UM admitted to some of the most competitive majors at UM identifying alternate majors to meet their career goals actively involved in campus activities and programs fostering strong networks with other students, faculty and staff

Thank You For more information, please contact Evelyn E. Cooper