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Study abroad for the 99%: how do we create equal access?

Study abroad for the 99%: how do we create equal access?. Heather Barclay Hamir, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin. Changing US Demographics. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, Tables P1 and P2. Higher Education in Texas.

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Study abroad for the 99%: how do we create equal access?

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  1. Study abroad for the 99%: how do we create equal access? Heather Barclay Hamir, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin

  2. Changing US Demographics Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, Tables P1 and P2.

  3. Higher Education in Texas • Hispanic students are projected to be the largest college-going population in Texas by 2040 (50.9%) • H.B. 588 (“The Top 10% Law”) shapes university admissions • Current political debates: • Affordability of higher education • Faculty productivity (research v. teaching) • Four-year graduation rates

  4. The University of Texas at Austin • 51,000 students; 39,000 undergraduates • Admitted first majority-minority entering cohort in 2010 • Demand for admission to UT led to restructuring of Top 10% Law in 2010 • Four-year graduation rate: 51% (80% in six years)

  5. Study Abroad at UT Austin • 5th largest study abroad program in the US (2,284 abroad in 2009-2010) • Goal: equal access to study abroad for UT students

  6. First-Gen Student Characteristics • “First-gen” refers to students whose parents have not graduated from college (federal definition) • First-gen student characteristics at UT: • Racially/ethnically diverse population • Lower average socio-economic background • Lower persistence and graduation rates (35.7% graduate in 4 years)

  7. Study Abroad & Degree Completion • 7,845 students in the first-time-in-college (FTIC) cohort of 2002 • 13.6% of cohort studied abroad, representing 21% of graduates

  8. Predicted Probability of Graduating • Study abroad participation did not predict: • time-to-degree • graduation in 4 years • Study abroad participation did predict: • graduation in 5 years (46% more likely to graduate) • graduation in 6 years (185% more likely to graduate) • graduation in 8 years (712% more likely to graduate) • Effect increased as GPA decreased

  9. Yes, but…. • Study abroad students: • have higher GPAs (true) • have higher standardized test scores (true) • are more motivated, organized, etc. (maybe) • When applicants were compared to non-participants, no differences existed in predicted time-to-degree or likelihood of graduating from UT

  10. The First Abroad Initiative • Three components: scholarships, partnerships, outreach/mentoring • Goals: • Increase access to study abroad for a diverse and underrepresented population • Enable seamless integration of study abroad into degree progress • Contribute to student retention and success at UT

  11. First Abroad: Scholarships • Scholarships: address the financial barrier early = increased opportunities + better academic planning • 250 scholarships over 5 years for first-gen students with financial need: • Hutchison International Scholars: scholarships awarded at admission, no application • First Abroad Scholarships: apply in first/second year of attendance, 2 academic years to use funds

  12. First Abroad: Partnerships, Outreach • Partnerships: collaboration to promote early outreach to students, academic integration, and reduce financial barriers • Collaboration with UT retention programs, increased partnerships with academic departments • Funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation • Add-on awards from study abroad program partners • Outreach and mentoring: staff and peer advisors

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