2. Enhancing Student Leadership: Transfer Council’s Innovative Programming Model for Transfer Student Success Presented by: Scott Fogleman Haley Hamam

3. Meet the Presenters Scott Fogleman – Director of Transfer Council – Senior, B.S. Marketing Haley Hamam – Associate Director of Transfer Council – Junior, B.A. Political Science

4. Today’s Program Clemson University Background Numbers Transfer Population Undergraduate Student Government – An Overview and Our Role Transfer Council – Our Structure: Then and Now – Supporting Academics – Accomplishments Implementation on Your Campus Questions and Comments

5. Clemson University: A Brief History Land-grant institution founded in 1889 through the will of Thomas Green Clemson Clemson offers over 300 organizations for students Our core values are: – honestly – integrity – respect Clemson believes in academic excellence and providing student’s with a social atmosphere conducive to higher learning

6. Clemson: Our Town Clemson University is located in the upstate of South Carolina at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the shores of Lake Hartwell Clemson is set in a small college town that attracts students looking for a strong sense of community, school spirit and a love of winning – in academics, in athletics, and in life

7. Clemson by the Numbers Freshman-Sophomore Retention Rate: 90.5% Transfer Student Retention Rate: 85.8% Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1 Number of transfer students enrolled in Fall 2009: 970 Top Ranking in “Clemson Town-Gown Relations” by 2010 Princeton Review 1 st rated Best Value in Public Universities in South Carolina by Kiplinger’s magazine in 2009 2 nd ranking “our happiest students” by 2010 Princeton Review 3 rd ranking our career services by 2010 Princeton Review Ranked 22 nd by US News and World Report Ranked 27 th by Business Week

8. Our Transfer Population Transfer students represent approximately 30% of new students each academic year Bridge to Clemson Program In-state and Out-of-state four-year institutions Technical colleges

9. Clemson University Student Government CUSG Executive Branch Student Body President President’s Cabinet Freshman Council Transfer Council Council on Diversity Affairs Legislative Branch Senate Judicial Branch Attorney General

10. Why Create a Transfer Council? To provide new transfer students an outlet through student government to voice concerns and opinions Need for a specialized Council with transfer experience to relate to new students To provide specific programming to support the academic needs unique to transfer students

11. CUSG Transfer Council The development and first year Presented a proposal to Senate to create a Transfer Council that was modeled after the successful Freshman Council. The Need for This Council – No student government representation for transfer students – Transfer SHOCK (example: GPA decline first semester of college) – Previous new student programs catered to freshmen, ignoring the unique needs of transfer students The Mission of This Council – Streamline credit evaluation process – Provide monthly newsletters to students – Supplement Orientation Ambassadors with council members – Develop and implement new transfer student activities Short and long term goals for the Council – Implement an effective mentoring program – Have a positive effect on retention rates – To facilitate a better social environment – To inspire and influence other universities to give transfer students the representative voice they need and deserve

12. CUSG Transfer Council 30 members, each assigned a position Subcommittees targeted a specific area: – Academic Affairs, First Week, Orientation, Communication, Activities, and Mentoring Subcommittees limited member’s abilities and strengths Size reduced to 25 members Subcommittees revamped to be cross-functional Strict attendance policy Members given increased responsibilities Progress has been faster and members are happier Previous Structure Improved Structure

13. Accomplishments Voice for transfers on Clemson’s campus Two new credit evaluators hired Held numerous events, both social and academic Created Transfers to Tigers Mentoring Program Mission: Transition, part of extended orientation Increased roles and responsibilities at transfer orientations Collaborated successfully with University Housing to relocate “Tiger Den” to core campus

14. Mission: Transition Mission: Transition--January 2010 Unique program that connects new students with key resources and services at Clemson Only academic program that is student-led – Council members are the program facilitators Creates more interaction between students Transfers to Tigers is introduced to students

15. Transfers to Tigers Developed over the past three years First active year: Fall 2009 Approximately 350 Fall 2009 mentees Approximately 140 Spring 2010 mentees Relaxed, unique approach “See what you’re missin’ from your Clemson transition!”

16. Tiger Den and “TDAB” Transfer Council and University Housing working relationship On-campus transfer community Additional opportunity for student leadership Direct source for student input to University Housing

17. Campus Impact Volunteered for Admission’s Phone-A-Thon Only student organization supporting ePortfolio requirement Welcome Leaders, Orientation Ambassadors, and “small-group” leaders Supports other student organization events Philanthropy involvement

18. Our Future Goals Continue building relationships with faculty, staff, and administration Play a larger role in transfer student orientation Continue promotion of our programs on a national level Explore and create additional opportunities for transfer student involvement on our campus

19. Our Challenge To You Bring this idea back to students on your campus Encourage your transfer students to become more involved on campus, more proactive with the decisions that directly effect them Empower transfer students to feel that they are part of your University’s family from their first day on campus Need help getting started? E-mail us!!

20. Questions and Comments