1. Supporting the New Student Experience through Intentional Transition Collaborations
Brett Bruner, M.S.
Director of Transition & Student Conduct
Fort Hays State University

2. Overview Learning Outcomes The Interest in Transition
The State of Transition on Your Campus
Key Terminology Sharing
Orientation
Transition
Retention
Focus on the “T” Movement within OTR
Reflection & Application to Your Campus

3. Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this session, participants will:
Define “transition” using the 2012 definitions provided by NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition & Retention in Higher Education.
Articulate the benefits of intentional transitional programs on their campuses.
Identify 1 new campus partner or 1 existing campus partner with whom to better collaborate to design high-impact transitional experiences.

4. The Interest in Transition
Transition & Student Conduct
New Student Orientation Programs
Transition Initiatives
Transfer Engagement
Parent & Family Programs
Second Year Experience
Living Learning Communities

5. The Interest in Transition
Transition & Student Conduct
New Student Orientation Programs
Transition Initiatives
Transfer Engagement
Parent & Family Programs
Second Year Experience
Living Learning Communities

6. The Interest in Transition

7. The Interest in Transition

8. The State of Transition on Your campus
Why are you here?

9. Key Terminology
Orientation:
Transition:
Retention:

10. Key Terminology
Orientation: deliberate programmatic & service efforts designed to facilitate the transition of new students to the institution; prepare students for the institution’s educational opportunities & student responsibilities; initiate the integration of new students into the intellectual, cultural & social climate of the institution; & support the parents, partners, guardians, & children of the new student.
Source: NODA Task Force to Explore the Definition of Orientation, Transition & Retention (2012)

11. Key Terminology
Retention: student progression through higher education, focusing primarily on student persistence (i.e. term to term) through the beginning of the 2nd year at the same institution, with the goal being graduation from that institution and/or achievement of personal educational objectives. Retention is 1 outcome/measure/byproduct of successful student transition, which can be facilitated by effective orientation programs & other academic & social integration processes.
Source: NODA Task Force to Explore the Definition of Orientation, Transition & Retention (2012)

12. Key Terminology
Transition: the process students go through (typically lasting up to 1 year) when entering a particular institution of higher education and/or entering the same institution for a new purpose. This may include, but is not limited to, entering a college as a first-year student, transferring to a college from a different institution, and/or entering a college or university for a subsequent degree. Successful transition results in student integration into the institution & ultimately retention and/or achievement of personal educational objectives.
Source: NODA Task Force to Explore the Definition of Orientation, Transition & Retention (2012)

13. Key Terminology
Orientation:
Transition:
Retention:

14. What is your role in transition on your campus?
Is it perceived or actual?

15. Why the Focus on the T Movement in OTR?
Begins at the moment a student applies to an institution
Allows for a student to integrate and determine how they fit with an institution’s values
How are you helping a student find a connection to campus to start this successful transition?
Integral component of the student experience

16. Why the Focus on the T Movement in OTR?
Collaboration is key!
Often operate from the lens of our functional area.
How are you engaging with other units on campus to develop a high-impact transitional experience?
OTR – have the opportunity to connect the dots in the student experience.
Transition = working collectively with all institutional units

17. Why the Focus on the T Movement in OTR?
Content is key!
Time, Place & Manner
Orientation itself it like trying to drink from the firehouse. We need to expand Orientation to include Transition & spread out the message in our content. What is mission critical to be shared when throughout the orientation experience?
Orientation is when people go to & say “Hey, we need students to know X, Y, and Z.” How we can reframe this as a campus & be more strategic in our Transition experiences? It takes more than just sharing it at Orientation to make Transition successful

18. Why the Focus on the T Movement in OTR?
Cultivate individual relationships throughout the year
When you have these relationships = Time, Place & Manner
Ultimate goal is a student thriving
Students don’t care where the message is delivered from – they care about a great experience!
Ultimate goal is a student thriving – we don’t know (or at least I don’t) what other units a student is communicating with
We are at our best when a student doesn’t notice we are transitioning them from one office to the next – make it a smooth & seamless transition

19. Best Practice in the T Movement
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Office of Orientation & First Year Programs First-year Assessment Strategies “Tell Us About Yourself” Pre-Orientation Survey
Share the data with campus partners
Ask campus partners what data they would use in high-impact transition experiences

20. Promising Practice in the T Movement
Fort Hays State University Office of Transition & Student Conduct First 40 Days at Fort Hays ACCESS to Success – Student Success Plan
Share the data with campus partners
Ask campus partners what data they would use in high-impact transition experiences

21. Reflection & Application to Your Campus
What seat do you have at the Transition table at your institution?
What are the key Transition milestones for your first-year student to succeed?
How can you advocate for Time, Place & Manner in the Transition process?

22. Reflection & Application to Your Campus
What campus partner(s) are you collaborating with that could be enhanced in assist in Transition?
What campus partner(s) should be collaborating with that could assist in Transition?
What key student populations might need additional Transitional support on your campus?

23. Director of Transition & Student Conduct Fort Hays State University
Brett L. Bruner, M.S.
Director of Transition & Student Conduct
Fort Hays State University