1. Transferring With The End In Mind: Transfer Student Persistence & Retention
Colleen Kibin, Assistant Director of Community College Relations, EMU
Pat Cygnar, Director of Community College Relations, EMU
Joy Garrett, Director, Office of Curriculum and Assessment, WCC
June 15, 2017

2. Overview Introduction Background Importance National Data Strategies
EMU Transfer Students
Advisory Board Project
Recommendations

3. Introduction Purpose of Community College Relations at EMU
Develop mutually beneficial relationships with our community college partners
Promote a culture across the university that supports transfer student success
Facilitate meetings for EMU faculty and partners to promote curriculum standards and alignment
Support improvement of transfer processes and services
Advocate for transfer students here and at their community colleges
Benefit the university by attracting successful transfer students

4. Background
Advisory Board Project 2016 Develop recommendations for improving our transfer students completion rates for the MTA

5. Importance
Student retention efforts are prioritized as population of new high school students declines
Continued shifts in government funding
Reduced cost associated with higher retention rates
EMU has significant transfer student population
AY nearly 50% of new students were transfers

8. Transfer Student Persistence and Retention
College Persistence
6 out of 10 students beginning college at a two year public institution persist into their second term. Of those, 1 in 5 do so at a transfer destination.
Transfer Student Retention Strategies
Programming focused on transfer students
Separate orientation program
Student activities for transfer students
Flexible transfer credit policies
Housing options

9. EMU Transfer Student Acclimation
Transfer in a Day
Half day orientation program for advising, registration and introducing them to on campus resources and policies.
First Four
Four day orientation program held immediately before fall classes. Available, but not required.
Honors
Essay requirement waived toward application and membership into the Honors College at EMU. PTK certificate accepted. Fellowships and grants to support research available.

10. EMU Transfer Student Acclimation
Transfer Student Living Learning Community (LLC)
Collaborates with graduate and undergraduate students in campus life to provide year-long informational and social programming for transfer students.
Transfer Student Association (TSA)
The TSA is a student-led social group of about 30 students. The TSA attend each Transfer Orientation to build connections and provide ongoing social support. Additionally they are involved in Welcome Week and other student organization campus fairs.
Transfer Student Reception
New for EMU in fall The reception was well attended by transfer students and allowed them to meet other students as well as hear from the President about resilience while making transitions.

11. EMU Full-Time Fall-to-Fall Retention Rates (Data Book 2016, pg
EMU Full-Time Fall-to-Fall Retention Rates (Data Book 2016, pg. 16 from IRIM website)

12. EMU Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Summary (From IRIM Reports & Presentations, Degree Recipient Analysis AY 2016)

13. EMU CC Transfer Students
MTA/MACRAO completion tend to result in higher rates of degree completion at EMU
Transfer Student Cohort Fall 2011 & Winter 2012
Community College
Count
Articulation Agreements
% AA
MACRAO
% MACRA0
Graduated
6-Year Grad Rate
Mean Degree GPA
College H
118 25
21.20% 61
51.70% 75
63.60%
3.52
College I
456 77
16.90%
223
48.90%
267
58.60%
3.38
College O 65 5
7.70% 16
24.60% 36
55.40%
3.47
College J
883
184
20.80%
387
43.80%
449
50.80%
3.43
College M
251 43
17.10% 91
36.30%
120
47.80%
3.41
College N
283 82
29.00%
102
36.00%
132
46.60%
3.39
College L
116 10
8.60% 38
32.80% 54
3.4
College K 88 2
2.30% 11
12.50% 39
44.30%
3.33
College P 48 3
6.30% 21
College Q
200 44
22.00%
30.50% 80
40.00%
3.34
Total Top Ten Cmty Colleges
2,508
475
18.90%
1000
1,273
All Other Colleges
593
0.50% 18
3.00%
227
38.30%
Grand Total
3,101
478
15.40%
202
6.50%
1,500
48.40%
3.36

14. Best Practices for Completion of the MACRAO/MTA
Communication Between Schools
Improved Processes
Student Education
Staff/Faculty MTA Education

15. Communication Between Schools
MTA contact person identified at each school (both 2-year and 4-year levels)
Keep lines of communication open
Change to course lists
Changes to procedures
Make information available online
Request transfer evaluations for MTA courses
Share information about problems encountered

16. Student Education Student orientation including MTA/MACRAO handouts
Intro to College/College Success type courses at cc include MTA information
Webpage with MTA/MACRAO information including approved courses and how to apply for the endorsement
MTA Brochures
Transfer workshops for students

17. Staff/Faculty MTA Education
MTA contact person
Ongoing training of college advisors/navigators on MTA
MTA training sessions at faculty orientation and in service days

18. Improved Processes Alignment and Approval Processes
Consider aligning your general education requirements with MTA
Build MTA into transfer associate degrees if needed
Build MTA into articulation agreements
Make MTA course approval part of the regular curriculum development process
Consider all of your transfer partners in approving MTA courses (courses may double count for majors/minors)

19. Improved Processes Advising and Graduation
Information on Web Advisor/degree audit system
Include option to request MTA/MACRAO audit on graduation application and transcript requests
Automatic inclusion of MTA/MACRAO when student applies for AA or AS degree
Sign-up form for articulation agreements and MTA

20. Recommendations Presence at MACRAO events
Enhance efforts between community college and university partners on both ends
Implement policies that are transfer friendly
Seek input from state organizations that support transfer success (MACRAO, MCCA, MCSS, MASU)

21. Discussion
Transfer Student Persistence and Retention at your institution
Other recommendations for improving completion of the MACRAO/MTA

22. References EMU Databook 2016, http://irim.emich.edu/data_book.php
EMU Institutional Research and Institutional Management irim.emich.edu
Top 10 Partner Community College Completion Rate, 3/29/2017
Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Summary, IRIM Reports and Presentations, Degree Recipient Analysis AY 2016)
Higher Ed Live, “Student Retention is More Important Than Ever”, Terianne Sousa. htthigheredlive.com/3-reasons-student-retention-is-more-important-than- ever/ September 9, 2015

23. References
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
Snapshot Report: The Role of Two-Year Institutions in Four-Year Success Spring 2012.
Snapshot Report: The Role of Two-Year Institutions in Four-Year Success Spring 2017.
Community Colleges Outcomes Report: The Role of Community Colleges in Postsecondary Success, 2017.
Wick, Jennifer. “Firing on all cylinders for college transfer student recruitment and retention”. Ruffalo Noel Levitz. 4/20/15.