1. Connecting the College to University Student Journey
Dr Robert Ingram and Yvonne Wayne
Enhancement Themes Conference, Thursday 9 June John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh

2. College Connect Strategy 2013-20
Draws on partnerships and models developed by the Greater Glasgow Articulation Partnership
Three Main Strands of Work:
Working with Students
Working with Colleges
Research and Evaluation

3. Aims
Accelerate
Reinforce
Enhance
Assist
Increase
Raise

4. College Connect Academy
Pre and post entry transition and progression support, engagement, activities
Associate Student Scheme
Partnerships
Joint planning, curriculum development and CPD activities, guaranteed places
Strategic Partnerships and Subject Partnerships
Robust Evidence Base
Progression, performance, completion

5. Measures of Success Achievements by 2020
Maintain the current proportion of students articulating to GCU
Enhanced transitional experience
Increase in progression, retention and completion and graduate level employment
Maintain and grow the proportion from ‘hard to reach’ groups

6. Aims of College Connect Research
Explore articulating students’ awareness and engagement in the Associate Student Scheme (College Connect Membership) whilst they undertook their HN in college
Assess the nature and extent of peer support activities involving students during their time at college and to date at the University
To provide a strong evidence base to support and sustain articulation developments and contribute to further enhancing the college and university experience for articulating students
To make an essential contribution to evaluating the impact and success of the College Connect Strategy

7. College Connect Student Survey
Associate Student Scheme
Awareness of Associate Student Scheme at any time during HN %
Yes 51 No 49
Total (N = 228)
100

8. College Connect Student Survey
Associate Student Scheme
Whether engaged with supports or activities within the Associate Student Scheme at any time during HN %
Yes 51 No 49
Total (N = 114)
100
Why did not engage with supports or activities within the Associate Student Scheme at any time during HN
% for each response
(N = 57)
Too busy studying for HN 47
Did not receive information/know about it 39
Did not feel would benefit 30
Because of work commitments 25
Because of caring/dependent responsibilities 11

9. College Connect Student Survey
Engaging with activities outwith Associate Student Scheme
Whether engaged with any of the following supports or activities
% for each response
(N = 155)
GCU Induction Events 41
GCU Campus Visits 36
GCU Student Mentors 25
College Connect Transition Programme 16
Degree Programme Specific Pre-Entry Activities 12
Accessing subject-specific online learning materials
Accessing online transition support materials 8
Attending or accessing online any Masterclasses 2

10. College Connect Student Survey
Engaging with activities within Associate Student Scheme
Whether engaged with any of the following supports or activities as part of the Associate Student Scheme
% for each response
(N = 67)
GCU Induction Events 67
GCU Campus Visits 61
College Connect Transition Programme 54
GCU Student Mentors 49
Visiting GCU to access the library 28
Visiting GCU to access student support services 13
Accessing GCU Virtual Learning Environment (GCU Learn) 12
Degree Programme Specific Pre-Entry Activities 10
Accessing subject-specific online learning materials 9
Accessing online transition support materials 7
Membership of the GCU Students’ Association
Attending or accessing online any Masterclasses 1
Visiting GCU to access the gym

11. College Connect Student Survey
If found supports or activities useful %
Yes 85 No 15
Total (N = 176)
100
Support/activities part of Associate Student Scheme
Support/activities NOT part of Associate Student Scheme %
Yes 90 82 No 10 18
Total
100 (N = 67)
100 (N = 109)

12. Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
College Connect Student Survey
Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
Awareness of advice and support from GCU Student Mentors to date at GCU %
Yes 57 No 43
Total (N = 213)
100

13. Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
College Connect Student Survey
Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
When first aware of advice and support could receive from GCU Student Mentors about GCU %
Prior to commencing degree programme 50
When first commenced degree programme 34
At some point during degree programme 17
Total (N = 114)
100
How became aware of advice and support from GCU Student Mentors
% for each response
(N = 120)
From GCU staff 64
From GCU Student Mentors 39
From promotional activities 37
From students in class/in GCU 27
GCU College Connect website 21
Other 8

14. Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
College Connect Student Survey
Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
How often had contact with GCU Student Mentors to date at GCU %
Very often 4
Often 3
Sometimes 8
Rarely 33
Never 51
Total (N = 121)
100

15. Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
College Connect Student Survey
Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
Type of contact with GCU Student Mentors to date at GCU
% for each response
(N = 57)
Via from GCU Student Mentors 56
One-to-one contact with GCU Student Mentors 35
Other 21
Type of advice and support received from GCU Student Mentors to date at GCU
% for each response
(N = 56)
Induction/Orientation 73
Academic 45
Administration 34
Personal/Social 27
Financial 16

16. Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
College Connect Student Survey
Awareness of and engagement with GCU Student Mentors at GCU
Level of satisfaction to date with GCU Student Mentors %
Very satisfied 29
Satisfied 57
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12
Dissatisfied -
Very dissatisfied 2
Total (N = 58)
100

17. Preliminary Conclusions
Awareness of, and engagement in, the Associate Student Scheme mixed
Articulating students very positive about the supports and activities (both outwith and within the Scheme)
More than half of respondents were aware of advice and support at GCU from GCU Student Mentors
Those aware had high levels of satisfaction with mentors
However, engagement overall is low with over half of those aware never been in contact with a mentor…BUT….

18. Thank You and Any Questions?
Dr Robert Ingram
Yvonne Wayne
@GCUConnected