1. Creating a Degree completion program: Lessons learned
Deanna Donaugh
Kent State University

2. Kent State University Public, Four Year, Research Institution
Eight Campus System
35,000+ Undergraduate Students
29,000+ Kent Campus
50 States
100 Countries
81.7% Retention Rate (2013 Cohort)
54.8% 6-Year Graduate Rate (2008 Cohort)

3. The Problem 1,800 students dropped out
Senior level students (90 + earned hours)
2.0 or higher cGPA
All within a 4 year period

4. Upon closer inspection…
Actually had 1,500 students

5. Why is this important?
1. We have 1,500, now adult students, who have paid for and/or still paying for classes, but no degree 2. Ohio, like other states, is moving towards linking state funding to graduation rates

6. Where did we go from here?

7. Step 1: Research How are other institutions addressing this problem?
What are the best practices?

8. Interviewed Other Schools
Can you describe your program to me?
Can you describe your average student?
What are some challenges your students face?
What are some of the challenges you face?
How has your program grown over the years?
Can you describe your program’s structure?
How to you market your program?
What professional organization do you belong to?

9. The Research
Allen, B. The Student in Higher Education: Nontraditional Student Retention. Catalyst, 1993, 23(3).
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. Satisfaction-Priorities Report
Knowles, M.S. (1984). Adult learner: A neglected species, 3rd Edition. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing.

10. Best Practices Reduce/Eliminate institutional barriers
Flexible programs/majors
Availability of online coursework
Availability of financial aid and scholarships

11. Questions to Ponder/Solve
Our Questions…. Our campus experts…. Discussions… More discussions….. Compromise.

12. Question: What are our major options?
What we want:
flexibility, online course options
Also, if possible, low math and foreign language requirements
What we have:
3 flexible majors each with their own degree of flexibility
All with academic catalog rules & unwritten rules
Who are the experts over these majors?
Discussions and Compromise

13. Question: Who should we reach out to?
What we have:
1,500 students with 90+ earned hours, 2.0 or higher cGPA, and have been out for 2-4 years
What we can do:
Focus the list more:
remove those with holds
focus on the Kent campus students
Discussion and Compromise:

14. Question: How does a student return to Kent?
What we want:
Seamless, easy to understand process
Zero run around
What we have:
Students do not know where to start (Registrar? Admissions? )
Students may wait two-weeks or more to get an advising appointment- but which advising office
Who are the experts:
Discussion and Compromise:

15. Question: How should we reach out to them?
What we have:
An established relationship with these students
What we can do:
3 Touch Marketing approach
Personalized Letter
Personalized
Phone Call
Discussion and Compromise:

16. Our Letter Dear <Name>:
In 4 steps I can get you started toward finishing your Kent State degree. You are so close with only ­­___ credits remaining! Because of your previous hard work as a Kent State University student, you have a unique opportunity to reach step 5: GRADUATION! I'm confident we can work together to develop a plan to make your graduation a reality in the shortest time possible.
Take the first step! I will talk to you in the next couple of weeks, but if you are ready to get started now, please give me a call at or me at
You have worked so hard and I can help you with the final steps to graduation. I look forward to talking to you soon!
Sincerely,
Deanna
Deanna Donaugh
Assistant Director
University Degree Completion Program

17. Question: How do we track these students?
What we want:
Each student be given degree completion student indicator
What we have:
A system that cannot create this type of indicator
Who are the Experts:
Discussion and Compromise:

18. Question: Can we offer any financial incentives?
What we want:
Degree completion scholarship, ability to charge students in-state tuition, remove all fees
What we can do:
A small scholarship for each student
Removing of some fees (graduation fee)
Discussion and compromise:

19. Our Degree Completion Program
Focuses on senior level students w/ 90+ hours, 2.0 or higher cGPA, and out for 2+ years
Filtered into 1 of 3 flexible major options
One stop shop approach- we serve as their
Admissions Counsel
Registrar
Advisor
Graduation Clearance
3 Touch Marketing Approach

20. Recruiting Data Since 2014 we have reached out to 1,377 students
We have had 361 students respond (26.21%)
We have 187 In-Classes/Graduate (51.80%)
99 Students graduated (49.25%)
49 Students in- classes currently (24.37%)
16 Students started, but stopped (7.96%)
Note- difference is the result of referrals

21. Average Amount of Classes Needed

22. 99 Students Graduated (49.25%)
Who is returning?
24% Need 1 Semester
Age Range
25-68
55% Male
45% Female
10% Needed 0 Credit Hours
99 Students Graduated (49.25%)

23. Graduation Data

24. Financial Cost Staffing = $61,137 Marketing = $1,400
1 full time employee
1 part-time employee
Marketing = $1,400
Personalized letters and envelopes 2x/year
Over a 3 year period = $187,011

25. Scholarship Money This money is provided from the Provost’s Budget
= $22,000
= $42,000
= $16,000 (so far)
Spring 2017 Project ~$16,000
Summer 2017 Project ~$13,000
Total (w/Projections)= $109,000

26. Program Impact
University has received some local attention for the program
Assisting with increasing out graduation rates- University goal is to reach 65% graduation rate
Helping students finish what they started

27. (Note: does not take into account F16/S17 graduates)
Return on Investment
We received from the state approximately $4,000/graduate
99 graduates X $4,000 = $396,000
(Note: does not take into account F16/S17 graduates)
$396,000 (income) - $187,611 (cost) - $109,000 (scholarships) = $99,389

28. Future Plans for Improvement
Increase career resources
Joining with the new Center for Career Exploration and Development
Creating an online student community
Creating easier paths to technology
New marketing technique
Proposing a pilot program utilizing PLA
Reach out to some local industries (i.e. University Hospitals)