Building Student Success through a Scholarship Retention Program Educational Policy Institute s Retention 2014 Dr. Overtoun Jenda; Dr. ChuChu Chidume; Brittany McCullough Auburn University October 1, 2014
Commitment to Diversity Auburn University s Strategic Diversity Plan was adopted in 2006 (developed in 2002-2005). The plan contains 5 goals, each with recommended strategies, tactics, and measures. Goal 5, Strategy 2: Increase the recruitment, retention, and thus representation of people of color, ethnic minorities, women, and other underrepresented students at Auburn University to a level that reflects the relevant pool of availability for the target population.
Provost Leadership Undergraduate Scholarship (PLUS) Program Program Goals: Increase diversity among the undergraduate student population at Auburn University to complement the goals of Auburn University Strategic Diversity Plan Increase the number of African American students on campus Improve retention and graduation rates of minority students at Auburn University
Provost Leadership Undergraduate Scholarship (PLUS) Program Implemented and coordinated by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (ODMA) Administered through the Educational Opportunities Resource Center (EORC), a unit of ODMA Scholarships are for $2,000/year for up to four years In addition to scholarships, the PLUS program provides support to students academically and socially through peer mentoring, leadership training, study and tutoring sessions, counseling services, and enrichment workshops and seminars. First cohort of PLUS students began in Fall 2006.
PLUS Program Administration Dr. Overtoun Jenda Associate Provost for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Dr. ChuChu Chidume, Project Manager; Lecturer Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics Brittany McCullough Diversity Analyst Colleges & Schools: Diversity Council / Diversity Officers
Student Selection Requirements: U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status 3.25 High School GPA Admittance to Auburn University Diversity Essay Submission Priorities: First Generation College Students Demonstrate Financial Need Alabama Residency Represent Diverse Backgrounds
PLUS Participation Requirements Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and fulltime student status Attend mandatory PLUS meetings Join and participate in multicultural organizations Attend leadership seminars Attend workshops to acquire necessary skills for college success (e.g. time management, study skills) Participate in study and tutoring sessions within colleges, the Student Success Center, and/or other tutorial centers (at least 4 hours a week) Participate in peer mentoring
PLUS Mentoring Monthly group meetings with faculty/staff and guest speakers Individual meetings with program director Cluster meetings Cluster groups made up of students from different academic classifications Clusters formed based on major/college enrollment Provide academic and social support for students at all academic levels
PLUS Demographic Profile - Overall Total PLUS recipients to date: 346 (over 9 years) PLUS Scholars by race/ethnicity: African American: 73.4% Hispanic: 9.1% Asian: 7.7% Caucasian: 5.1% Native American: 4.7% The overall gender breakdown for PLUS recipients: Female: 62.8%; Male 37.2%
PLUS Demographic Profile - Overall PLUS Scholars by college: Agriculture (16), Architecture, Design & Construction (25), Business (17), Education (14), Engineering (65), Forestry & Wildlife Sciences (1), Human Sciences (10), Liberal Arts (41), Nursing (10), Sciences & Mathematics (75) Average unmet financial need for an incoming PLUS student in Fall 2013: $21,298.
Average ACT Scores of Enrolling PLUS Freshmen: Cohort 1 (2006-07) 21.6 Cohort 2 (2007-08) 22.0 Cohort 3 (2008-09) 22.8 Cohort 4 (2009-10) 22.9 Cohort 5 (2010-11) 23.8 Cohort 6 (2011-12) 24.6 Cohort 7 (2012-13) 23.4 Cohort 8 (2013-14) 24.5 Cohort 9 (2014-15) 24.5
PLUS Demographic Profile: 2013-14 (100 Students) 33# 36# 25# 67# 64# 75# Female# Male# First#Genera2on:#Yes# First#Genera2on:#No# Alabama#Residents# Out#of#State# 40# 30# 20# 10# 0# 12# 20#or# below# 32# ACT$Scores$ 25# 19# 12# 21E23# 24E26# 27E29# 30#or# above# 70# 60# 50# 40# 30# 20# 10# 0# 64# African# American# Distribu0on$by$Race$ 13# Hispanic# 5# Nat.# American# 13# Asian# 5# Caucasian#
PLUS Academic Performance Average cumulative GPA for current PLUS students as of May 2014: 3.21 11 students had a 4.00; 19 are at 3.80 or higher.
2014-15 PLUS 255 applications were submitted 100 students received scholarship offers 70 accepted/enrolled 137 students funded in Fall 2014 70 new incoming freshmen 67 continuing students
PLUS Assessment Methods Entering Freshmen Survey Collects information regarding high school academic experiences, program expectations, and academic goals. Orientation Survey Students rate various aspects of the orientation and provide feedback and suggestions. Mentoring Surveys Twice per year, both mentors and mentees rate their mentoring interactions. End-Year Survey Students rate their experiences in the program and describe benefits and challenges they experienced. Weekly activity sheets submitted by students to provide a record of which methods were used to achieve their required 4 hours of weekly studying. Mid-semester Grades are tracked by the coordinator Grades and retention are tracked each semester by the Diversity Analyst.
PLUS Assessment Feedback Most Positive Program Aspects: Networking / Social interactions Financial support Mandatory study requirements Mentoring Guest speaker presentations Coordinator Meetings
PLUS Assessment Feedback The PLUS Program made my transition from high school to college very smooth. Without this program, I don t think I would have done as well my first year. In addition to helping me financially, this program also motivates me to maintain my grade-point average. Being part of a program of Auburn makes me feel more proud to say I m from Auburn. Being a part of PLUS also betters me as a student academically, motivating me to stay ahead of the game. My mentor helped me to overcome my anxiety in confronting campus life by telling me stories of her first time on campus. She was even kind enough to email or text me just to see how I was doing.
PLUS Outcomes PLUS Cohort 1 Six Year Graduation Rate: 76.3% (29 of 38), compared to 68.3% for the university overall. Total Bachelor Degrees received by PLUS students to date: 95 The average first-year retention rate for the first seven PLUS cohorts is 92.1%, compared to 87.8% for the university overall for the same seven years Students have entered successful careers, as well as graduate schools including Auburn University, Alabama State University, Georgia Tech University, Tennessee State University, University of Kentucky, University of Florida, and University of Southern Mississippi.
Pre-Freshman PLUS Virgin Islands Study Abroad Program One-week program designed to give the students the opportunity to live and learn in an intercultural setting Course: "Exploring Sustainability and Marine Science in an Island Environment
PLUS Students
Contact Information Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs 381 Mell Street 103 M.W. Smith Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 Phone: (334) 844-4184 Fax: (334) 844-4445 E-mail: diversity@auburn.edu Website: http://www.auburn.edu/diversity