Ohio Transfer Student Practices and Committee Initiatives

Ohios Promising Practices Essential Transfer Practices State Meeting 04/12/17

Background An analysis of the data compiled over the past 10 years by the Higher Education Information System indicates that there are both regional and institutional variances in the effectiveness of Ohio s articulation framework as it provides opportunities for transfer students degree completion goals.

Background Ohio and National data indicate a number of factors impact transfer students degree completion rates Location Size Proximity to transfer destination Regional student mobility Inter-Institutional cooperation Staffing The Questionnaire opens the door for dialog in these areas.

Committee Charge The committee, composed of 2 and 4 year college and university representatives, through a combination of national research, statewide discussion with stakeholders and surveys, will develop and provide an inventory of best and most promising practices that can be shared and implemented statewide. This will provide each college and university a comprehensive overview of processes for increasing transfer student degree completion.

Committee Action Committee recommended a questionnaire be developed and distributed to all Ohio pubic 2 and 4 yr Institutions to ascertain best practices aimed at transfer student degree completion Questionnaire was develop and approved by committee December 2016 Questionnaire was sent via Survey Monkey to all public Colleges and Universities January 2017 Results compiled and initial analysis began late February and is ongoing

Committee Action Questionnaire was designed around 10 categories identified through research and national literature review Replies were of both a quantitative and qualitative nature

Core Transfer Framework 1. Outreach 2. Credit Transfer & Application 3. Pathways & Partnerships 4. Web/Social Media 5. Orientation 6. Advising 7. Institutional Environment 8. Partner Collaboration 9. Financial Assistance 10.Data Sharing

1.Outreach (the process by which your institution promotes and encourages transfer applications) Question 1: Does your institution actively reach out to potential transfer students to promote transfer? Does your institution actively reach out to potential transfer students to promote transfer? Does your institution actively reach out to potential transfer students to promote transfer? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 90.2% 37 Yes 9.8% 4 No 34 If yes, which methods are most effective? Describe: answered question 41 skipped question 3

1. Outreach Common Unique Falcon Express-Owens/BGSU concurrent enrollment program (Owens/BGSU) Use social media in all forms (email, twitter, Facebook, email, etc) Outreach through 6 community college partners on 20 community colleges (OU) Host application days for specific majors Established a Transfer and Nontraditional Student Center focused on transfer and returning students (WSU)

2.Credit Transfer & Application (the timing and process by which students are officially notified as to how previous coursework has been accepted) Question 2: Do you have a process to provide transfer students with an unofficial copy of the acceptance and application of transfer coursework prior to admission? Do you have a process to provide transfer students with an unofficial copy of the acceptance Do you have a process to provide transfer students with an unofficial copy of the acceptance and application of transfer coursework prior to admission? and application of transfer coursework prior to admission? Yes No Respon se Count Answer Options Response Percent 46.2% 18 Yes 53.8% 21 No answered question 39 skipped question 5

2. Credit transfer & application Common Unique Provide unofficial evaluation of transfer coursework as part of pre- admissions process Evaluation of all transcripts submitted with the students receiving personalized communication for the next steps. (Shawnee State) Unofficial degree audit showing how transfer coursework completes program & major requirements During pre-advising the Admission s Office provides students with transfer estimates to allow for a good sense of applicability (KSU)

3.Pathways and Partnerships (the process by which articulation agreements are initiated, developed and monitored) Question 3a: Are Pathways developed jointly with faculty from both sending and receiving Institutions? Are Pathways developed jointly with faculty from both sending and receiving institutions? Are Pathways developed jointly with faculty from both sending and receiving institutions? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 87.2% 34 Yes 12.8% 5 No answered question 39 skipped question 5

Pathways and Partnerships (the process by which articulation agreements are initiated, developed and monitored) Question 3b: Are they reviewed on an Annual basis? Are Partnerships reviewed on an annual basis? Are Partnerships reviewed on an annual basis? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 46.2% 18 Yes 53.8% 21 No 23 If no, how often? answered question 39 skipped question 5

Pathways and Partnerships (the process by which articulation agreements are initiated, developed and monitored) Question 3c: Is there a point person? Is there a point person responsible for Partnership development and updates? Is there a point person responsible for Partnership development and updates? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 94.9% 37 Yes 5.1% 2 No answered question 39 skipped question 5

3. Pathways and Partnerships Common Faculty from both sending and receiving institutions involved in all aspects of the agreement. Unique Established a cross-departmental team to work on streamlining & improving all aspects of the transfer process (WSCC) Agreements are in force for a specific time and reviewed on an annual basis Program Director of the University Partnership responsible for new partnership programs and articulation agreements (Lorain CCC)

4.Web/Social Media (how potential and accepted transfer students are integrated into the college/university via various forms of social media) Question 4: Do you use social media to connect transfer students to the institution? Do you use social media to connect transfer students to the institution? Do you use social media to connect transfer students to the institution? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 66.7% 26 Yes 33.3% 13 No 21 If yes, please explain what types and how they are used. answered question 39 skipped question 5

4. Web and Social Media Common Use Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Etc. to attract and inform prospective transfers Unique Center for Pathways, Advising & Student Success launched a transfer App usable on any mobile device (U.C.) Purchase advertising through a variety of media platforms to targeted markets Admission Advisors & students offer online chats through OHIO Facebook (OU)

5.Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5a: Does your institution provide a dedicated orientation for transfer students? Is the Orientation mandatory for all transfers? Does your institution provide a dedicated orientation for transfer students? Does your institution provide a dedicated orientation for transfer students? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 39.5% 15 Yes 60.5% 23 No answered question 38 skipped question 6

Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5b: Does your institution offer a version of a First Year Experience course for transfer students? Does your institution offer a version of a First Does your institution offer a version of a First- -Year Experience course for transfer students? Year Experience course for transfer students? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 21.1% 8 Yes 78.9% 30 No answered question 38 skipped question 6

Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5c: Is the Orientation mandatory for all transfers? Is the orientation mandatory for all transfer? Is the orientation mandatory for all transfer? Yes No N/A Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 26.3% 10 Yes 36.8% 14 No 36.8% 14 N/A answered question skipped question 38 6

Orientation (how are transfer students informed of services available, their rights and responsibilities, and the culture of your institution) Question 5d: Does your institution offer a version of a First Year Experience course for transfer students? Does your institution offer a version of a First Does your institution offer a version of a First- -Year Experience course for transfer students? Year Experience course for transfer students? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 21.1% 8 Yes 78.9% 30 No answered question 38 skipped question 6

5. Orientation Common Unique Specific orientations are developed and available for transfer students Creation of a transfer orientation through CPASS for all incoming transfer students prior to fall semester - (UC) Versions of a Freshman Year Experience course are available but not required All transfer students with freshman status are required to attend the Transfer Program and complete the KickStart web-based component (KSU) All new students enrolled in the first- year experience course must meet with a counselor and establish a completion plan (Tri-C)

6.Advising (by what process are students assisted in monitoring their degree completion progress and how are advisors kept current in all aspects of transfer related issues.) Question 6a: Are transfer students assigned to specific transfer advisors or to a transfer advising team? Are transfer students assigned to specific transfer advisors or to a transfer advising team? Are transfer students assigned to specific transfer advisors or to a transfer advising team? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 31.6% 12 Yes 68.4% 26 No answered question 38 skipped question 6

Advising (by what process are students assisted in monitoring their degree completion progress and how are advisors kept current in all aspects of transfer related issues.) Question 6b: Are advisors updated relative to state and institutional transfer policy and new partnership information on a consistent basis? Are advisors updated relative to state and institutional transfer policies and new partnership Are advisors updated relative to state and institutional transfer policies and new partnership information on a consistent basis? information on a consistent basis? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 86.8% 33 Yes 13.2% 5 No answered question 38 skipped question 6

6. Advising Common Formal update and training sessions held on ongoing basis to convey institutional & state policy and procedural changes Unique A campus-wide Undergraduate Advisors Council meets monthly. (WSU) Every student is assigned to a specific counselor or success coach. (Lorain CCC) List-serves provide current information in a real-time basis Each college within the university has a dedicated advisor focused on transfer students and each transfer student is assigned a Success Coach. (UT) Cross-institutional meetings for advisors to review, discuss and make recommendations relative to transfer issues Since nearly 50% of our transfer students are Distance Learning, the university is working to enhance web-based student services, including the creation of assessment tools that measure DL learning readiness (UC)

7. Institutional Environment (the commitment through all levels of the institution that transfer students and their success are an integral part if the Strategic Enrollment Management plan.) Question 7a: Do policies and procedures view native and transfer students equitably? Do policies and procedures view native and transfer students equitably? Do policies and procedures view native and transfer students equitably? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 84.2% 32 Yes 15.8% 6 No answered question 38 skipped question 6

Institutional Environment (the commitment through all levels of the institution that transfer students and their success are an integral part if the Strategic Enrollment Management plan.) Question 7b: Are there specific activities and organizations that help connect transfer students to the college/university and faculty? Are there specific activities and organizations that help connect transfer students to the Are there specific activities and organizations that help connect transfer students to the college/university and faculty? college/university and faculty? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 68.4% 26 Yes 31.6% 12 No 24 If yes, please explain answered question 38 skipped question 6

Institutional Environment (the commitment through all levels of the institution that transfer students and their success are an integral part if the Strategic Enrollment Management plan.) Question 7c: Do the various departments involved in different aspects of the transfer process receive updates that help coordinate their activities and do they meet on a consistent basis? Do the various departments involved in different aspects of the transfer process receive updates that Do the various departments involved in different aspects of the transfer process receive updates that help coordinate their activities and do they meet on a consistent basis? help coordinate their activities and do they meet on a consistent basis? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 76.3% 29 Yes 23.7% 9 No 23 Please explain answered question 38 skipped question 6

7. Institutional Environment Common Cross institutional departments meet on a scheduled basis to receive updates. Unique In a multi-campus system, each campus had a Transfer Center. (Tri-C) Transfer Pathway Program, for key articulation partners, provides special services for students (CSCC) Advisors are updated consistently during the academic year Outreach & welcome activities help transfer student integrate into the university culture The Ohio Transfer Ambassador Program, an official student organization for transfer students. (OU) Sponsor Student to Student organizations for transfer students The Transfer Advisory Council is a student led organization within the Student Success Program. Become (KSU)

8.Partner Collaboration (the level and process by which institutions interact to ensure mutual understanding of issues impacting transfer issues) Question 8: Does your institution interact with partner institution s faculty, staff and administrators in the process of development, maintenance and curriculum alignment of agreements as well as issues related to fostering student success? Does your institution interact with partner institution s faculty, staff, and administrators in the Does your institution interact with partner institution s faculty, staff, and administrators in the process of development, maintenance, and curriculum alignment of agreements as well as issues process of development, maintenance, and curriculum alignment of agreements as well as issues related to fostering student success? related to fostering student success? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 89.2% 33 Yes 10.8% 4 No answered question 37 skipped question 7

8.Partner Collaboration Common Unique Provide workshops for advisors from community colleges Cleveland Foundation funding, through the Higher Education Compact, for a university and community college to explore using predictive analytics (Tri-C) Offer presentations to community college classes about options for bachelors degree completion Center for Pathways Advising & Student Success will oversee the development and maintenance of all articulation agreements (UC) All articulation agreements with community colleges are done in collaboration with faculty & advisors from the university & partnership college

9. Financial Assistance (providing students with comprehensive financial information and funding opportunities) Question 9: Is a process in place to provide transfer students with a comprehensive Financial Aid plan needed to complete their program without exceeding federal guidelines? Is a process in place to provide transfer students with a comprehensive Financial Aid plan Is a process in place to provide transfer students with a comprehensive Financial Aid plan needed to complete their program without exceeding federal guidelines? needed to complete their program without exceeding federal guidelines? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 48.6% 18 Yes 51.4% 19 No 18 If no, please explain what type of financial advising students receive. answered question 37 skipped question 7

Financial Assistance (providing students with comprehensive financial information and funding opportunities) Question 9b: Are there specific institutional or other scholarships available for transfer students? Are there specific institutional or other scholarships available for transfer students? Are there specific institutional or other scholarships available for transfer students? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 67.6% 25 Yes 32.4% 12 No answered question 37 skipped question 7

. 9. Financial Assistance Common Unique Students receive advising from both two and four-year college and partner university financial aid advisors (CSCC) All transfer students are provided with a comprehensive letter explaining the financial aid award package The inclusion of the Student Financial Aid Office in the orientation program has proven to be very beneficial for students and families (KSU) One-on-one appointments are available with financial aid advisors. Offers a tuition-only Completion Scholarship to students, with less than 12 credit hours to finish their degree. (Sinclair CC) Scholarships available specifically to the transfer population.

10. Data sharing (data related to transfer student profiles, progression metrics and completion that is routinely shared with partner institutions) Question 10: Does your institution have a process in place to regularly share information with partner institutions relative to transfer student success and progression? Does your institution have a process in place to regularly share information with partner Does your institution have a process in place to regularly share information with partner institutions relative to transfer student success and progression? institutions relative to transfer student success and progression? Yes No Answer Options Response Percent Response Count 32.4% 12 Yes 67.6% 25 No answered question 37 skipped question 7

10. Data Sharing Common No Common practice on data sharing was presented Unique University Partnership offers an information luncheon that includes all staff responsible for admission and transfer, includes faculty & administration for the college and participating universities (Lorain CCC) Institutional Research regularly runs retention reports on transfer student profiles and graduation rates- (UC) The university shares reverse transfer information to Ohio s community colleges . (OU)

CCRC Essential Transfer Practices Core Transfer Framework 1. 2. Prioritize Transfer Create Clear, Rigorous Program Pathways Provide Tailored Transfer Advising Build Strong Transfer Partnerships 1. 2. Outreach Credit Transfer & Application Pathways & Partnerships Web/Social Media Orientation Advising 7. Institutional Environment Partner Collaboration Financial Assistance 10. Data Sharing 8. 3. 3. 9. 4. 4. 5. 6.

How they fit together Create Clear ProgramPathways Provide Tailored Transfer Advising Build Strong Transfer Partnerships Prioritize Transfer 3. Pathways & Partnerships 2. Credit Transfer & Application 1. Outreach 8. Partner Collaboration 4. Web/Social Media 10. Data Sharing 5. Orientation 7. Institutional Environment 6. Advising 9. Financial Assistance