From Pilot to Program Assessment:
Developing a community focused model of first year success
International Conference on the First Year Experience
June 2013
Cynthia Baron, MSW, Sandra Posey, PhD, Ashby Butnor, PhD, Heather Lindsay­carpenter, MA
MSU­Denver Student Demographics:
Do we have a cool photo of the campus that we can put in here?
Approximately 24,000 students
Urban Campus in Downtown Denver
Largely Commuter
Average Student Age 23
Comprised of 60 %Transfer Students
33% students of Color (Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution)
High First­Generation Student Population
FYS Fast Facts
Prior to 2007, program existed as a First Year Seminar model for 20 years in the Department of English. Program was piloted in 2007 with approximately 300 provisionally admitted students.
Since Fall 2007 program has served 3,400 students.
Since Fall 2009 program has served an average of 40% students of color as a key campus retention strategy at an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. First Year Success Mission:
First Year Success (FYS) was created to increase student persistence, success and a passion for lifelong learning in a nurturing scholarly community. The program serves the needs of students through collaborative, engaging methods that:
Foster on and off campus relationships;
Connect learning to compelling issues; and
Are culturally relevant.
FYS High Impact Practices
First Year Seminars and Experiences
Common Intellectual Experiences
Learning Communities
Writing Intensive Courses
Collaborative Assignments and Projects
Service­Learning, Community­Based Learning
Adopted from Kuh, (2008)
FYS Pilot Model (2007­2008)
University president’s mandate
Served 300 Provisionally Admitted students
Learning Community model of paired courses
First Year Seminar (3 credit and 1 credit version)
Peer Support (Supplemental Instruction)
Program Assessment
Focus Groups with faculty, students, and peer leaders
Outcomes:
Inspired the revamping of the first year seminar course
Improvement to academic and peer support programs
Inspired need for further faculty development
Modification of Co­curricular Programs
Qualitative Research­Student Stories
Outcomes: Sandra?????
Program Challenges
Program History
Institutional Culture Shift
Faculty Resistance
Inconsistent Administrative Leadership
Lack of Program Infrastructure
Lack of Physical Space
FYS Progress
Fall 2009
Modular Classroom 7
Student Success Building 2012
Current FYS Program Components
 Academic Learning Communities  First Year Success course­Communication in Action
 Co­curricular Programs
 Community Service Learning Options and Volunteer Opportunities
 Dedicated FYS classrooms and program space
 Peer Support (Supplemental Instruction, 1st Year Student Ambassador Program)
 Common Reading Program
 Health and Wellness Program • A classroom setting
• Large Peer Leader Support FYS Community Service Lunch & Learn Series
2012 New Student Convocation
MidWeek 10 Series
Student Persistence
Fall 2012 census data reports revealed a higher fall to fall retention rate difference of 10.8% for the Fall 2011 FYS cohort compared to the non­FYS comparison group. Since 2005, the MSU Denver 1st year student retention rate has increased from 58% to 66%. Student Academic Performance
Since 2009, on average 48% of FYS participants achieve a 3.0 GPA or above.
Outreach and Collaboration
FYS provides resources and mentoring support to over 100 faculty representing 22 academic programs.
FYS collaborates with 15 student affairs departments to offer a comprehensive 1st year experience.
FYS has added a first year seminar course focused on service learning in partnership with the Communications Dept.
The Success in FYS
FYS celebrated the 1st New Student Convocation in the 46 year history of MSU­
Denver in Fall 2012. FYS has expand to serve over 2,000 students in the 2013­2014 academic year. (Show video here)
Meet the FYS Team!
2013 FYS
Student Ambassadors
GO BIG…or…GO HOME!
FYS Faculty and Staff
2013 Peer Leaders – Orientation Leaders, Supplemental Instructors, Peer Advocates & Student Ambassadors. Q & A Discussion
Please visit www.msudenver.edy/fys for more information regarding Learning Communities and First Year Success at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
References
Harper, S. R., & Quaye, S. J. (2009). Student Engagement in Higher Education. New York: Routledge.
First Year Success Census Data Report (May 2012). Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Kuh, George D. (2008). High Impact Educational Practices: What They Are, Who Has Access to Them, and Why They Matter. Washington D.C.: AAC&U.
Rendon, Laura I, Mildred Garcia and Dawn Person, Eds. 2004. Transforming the First Year of College for Students of Color (The First­Year Experience Monograph Series: 38). Columbia, SC: National Resource Center for The First­ Year Experience and Students in Transition.