Easing the Transfer of 2YC Students to 4YC’s – Examples from the University of Texas at El Paso

Easing the Transfer of 2YC Students to 4YC’s – Examples from the University of Texas at El Paso Diane Doser, doser@utep.edu

University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)– El Paso Community College (EPCC) • Educational closed loop – 80% K-12 teachers attended UTEP, (New Mexico State only other close choice, 40 miles away) • EPCC has AS degree in Geological Sciences, 6 branch campuses, ~30,000 students • At UTEP 80% Hispanic, 60% first time college, ~70% do not speak English as first language, ~25,000 students, BS, MS, PhD in Geological Sciences

Before Transfer: • Visits to the 4 YC – Earth Science Day, Departmental Research Colloquium, Campus-wide Undergraduate Research Symposium • Visits to the 2 YC (judging, guest lectures) • Joint field trips • Joint research project (especially semester before transfer) • Visit with advisor at the 4YC

After Transfer: • Meet other transfer students (current and previous semesters) • Help find faculty and student mentors • Help find financial support (faculty, campus scholarships, external scholarships) • Visits back to 2YC as ambassador

Enlisting Support at Department Level: • Encourage other faculty to support 2YC students on REU’s (especially in first summer or first semester) • Write proposals that include outreach activities with 2YC’s as broader impacts • Vertical mentoring programs (faculty, graduate students, 4 YC and 2YC students) • Outreach/recruiting visits to 2YCs

Enlisting Support at College/University Level: • Campus Office of Undergraduate Research Initiatives (zero credit research courses, workshops on research, leadership, etc.) • Peer mentor training

Easing the Transfer of 2YC Students to 4YC’s – Examples from the University of Texas at El Paso