Magnifying First-Year Student Success
by Expanding STEM Learning Communities
Scott Silverman, Coordinator & Jennifer Hernandez, Assistant Coordinator, CNAS Scholars
University of California, Riverside
• 14F enrollment: 18,782 (UG)
• Hispanic-Serving Institute (HSI)
• Most diverse UC campus
• Tier 1 research institution
• NSF STEP Grant recipient
• University Innovations Alliance Founding member
College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS)
• CNAS total UG enrollment: 5,025
• First-year class: 1,589 (860 enrolled in a Learning Community, 54%)
Learning Community Overview
• Students take same math and sciences classes/discussions/labs together
• Faculty & Advisor taught first-year seminar
• Supplemental instruction (SI)
• Max of 24 students per cluster
Incentives to Join a Learning Community
• Reserved seats in impacted classes
• Direct faculty mentoring
• Close academic advisor contact
• Better class times
• Pre-scheduled SI
Learning Community Completion Benefits
• Higher first quarter GPAs (13F 0.37)
• Increased retention from FR to SO year
• Higher 4 and 6 year graduation rates
• Opportunity for summer research and stipend as a FR
Week
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:
14F
Intro: Introductions, Icebreakers, Review syllabus, Importance of textbooks and goal
setting from day 1, HS Transition
Time Management: Getting organized, Using a planner
Emotional Intelligence & Learning Styles: Intrapersonal/Interpersonal skills, VARK
questionnaire, MI Inventory
Critical Thinking & Learning Engagement: Bloom’s Taxonomy, Reading Techniques,
Note Taking
Advising 101: Review CNAS advising site, course plans
Comprehension & Test Taking Strategies: Memory Techniques, Test Prep, Test
Anxiety, Academic Integrity
Literacy: Writing and Speaking Effectively, Resume Writing
Finances & Careers: Creating a Budget, Financial Aid, Credit Cards, Self-Exploration
Preparing for Life: Relationships, Diversity, Wellness
Review/Wrap-Up: Self-Assessment, Presentations
Readings
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3, 4
Ch. 5, 6, 7
N/A
Ch. 8, 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 14, 15
Ch. 11, 12, 13
Wrap-Up
References
Silverman, S., Hernandez, J., McKibben, M., Wallace, B. & Olivera, C., CNAS Student Success Programs. CNAS Undergraduate
Academic Advising Center; http://chronicle.com/section/Home/5; http://www.sara.ucr.edu; http://www2.assist.org/browseUCs.do;
http://www.theuia.org/#home; http://www.nsf.gov/funding/
CNAS Student Success Programs 1223 Pierce Hall Riverside, CA 92521 (951) 827-5326 www.cnasscholars.ucr.edu
Scott Silverman, [email protected] ~ Jennifer Hernandez, [email protected]
Average First Term GPAs, By LC Status, 07F thru 13F LC Completers LC Waitlist Non Par>cipants 3.50 3.25 3.00 2.75 3.11 2.98 3.00 2.84 2.77 2.58 2.79 2.64 2.70 2.76 2.59 2.56 2.63 3.20 2.93 2.83 2.79 2.68 2.62 2.47 2.49 2.50 2.25 Fall Term 07F 08F 09F 10F 11F 13F LC Completers vs. LC Waitlist vs. Non ParCcipants, by Admit Year 80% 60% 66.7% 65.2% 58.5% 40% 46.6% 20% 41.5% 0% 12F 07F (LC) 35.6% 31.6% 52.0% 34.2% 31.8% 33.0% 22.8% 19.8% 22.0% 19.9% 07F 07F (WL) (Non) 08F (LC) 08F 08F (WL) (Non) LC Completers (4 Yr) LC Waitlist (6 Yr) 53.3% 32.1% 51.4% 09F (LC) 26.8% 26.3% 20.8% 09F 09F (WL) (Non) LC Completers (6 Yr) Non Par>cipants (4 Yr) 10F (LC) 10F 10F (WL) (Non) LC Waitlist (4 Yr) Non Par>cipants (6 Yr) RetenCon 07F-­‐13F LC Completers 100% 90% 80% 97.2% 95.1% 95.3% 95.1% 89.2% 87.5% Non-­‐Par>cipants 94.2% 92.9% 85.9% 86.3% LC Waitlist 95.6% 93.3% 87.1% 85.7% 84.4% 82.5% 96.2% 94.6% 85.6% 84.4% 76.8% 70% 07F 08F 09F 10F 11F 12F 13F Special Thanks
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the
Student Learning Communities and Research Engagement (SL-CARE) project; SmartStart Educational Consulting Services Grant Evaluators; CNAS
Faculty; CNAS UAAC Staff (Academic Advisors and Administrative Staff); Campus partners
CNAS Student Success Programs 1223 Pierce Hall Riverside, CA 92521 (951) 827-5326 www.cnasscholars.ucr.edu
Scott Silverman, [email protected] ~ Jennifer Hernandez, [email protected]