Aboriginal Student Achievement Models

1. Aboriginal Student Achievement Models Part II: Pre-conference Workshop hosted by NASSA and SASA Sunday, June 10, 2007 CACUSS 2007 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

2. Agenda • Welcome (back) and introductions • Presentation on U of S model • Break out discussion • Refreshment break • Report back • Closing activity • Closing remarks, thanks, and evaluations

3. “Achievement” Forging new Relationships: The Foundational Document on Aboriginal Initiatives at the University of Saskatchewan http://www.usask.ca/vpacademic/integrated-planning/key_planning_docs/foundational_doc.php

4. Academic programs specifically for Aboriginal Students • Aboriginal Business Education Programs (Commerce) • Aboriginal First Year Experience Program (AFYEP) • Aboriginal Justice and Criminology Program (ABJAC) • Aboriginal MBA Program • Aboriginal Public Administration • Indian & Northern Education Program (INEP) (Graduate Studies) • Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) • Mathematics & Science Enrichment Program (MSEP) • Native Access Program to Nursing (College of Nursing) • Program of Legal Studies of Native People (Native Law Centre) • Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) • Summer University Transition Program

5. Academic programs with an Aboriginal Focus • Academic Programs with Aboriginal Content (Arts & Science) • Indigenous Peoples & Justice Program (IPJP) • Indigenous Peoples’ Program (Extension Division)

6. Centres, Departments & Societies • Aboriginal Students' Centre • Aboriginal Business Students Society • Aboriginal Graduate Students’ Association • Aboriginal Law Students’ Association • Indigenous Students Council • Native Studies Department • Native Law Centre

7. Special Events • Aboriginal Achievement Week • Powwow at the Bowl • Orientation

8. Special Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Initiatives

9. Goals: - To teach students habits for academic success - To provide opportunities for students to explore and set goals Goals: - To develop appropriate transition programming - To increase participation in transition programming Principle 1 Engagement in Learning Principle 2 Effective Transition Goals: - To ensure appropriate support exists - To develop students’ knowledge of and ability and willingness to access support • Goals: • To foster academic integration • - To foster social integration Principle 4 Access to Support Principle 3 Sense of Belonging Aboriginal Student Achievement Model: Principles & Goals

10. Aboriginal Student Achievement Model • Focus on first year Aboriginal students admitted to one of our 3 achievement programs (AFYEP, MSEP, SUT) • Moved from a reactive model of problem solving to a proactive model of fostering student achievement • Seeks to retain students by helping them to achieve their personal success & academic goals • Identifies several factors that are key to student achievement & success

11. Aboriginal First Year Experience Program Goal is to support students in all undergraduate first year programs & to support students to consider all academic program options • Restricted enrollment to Aboriginal students • Class size limit to 30 students per class • Mandatory tutorial sessions • Life Skills Coaching • Career & employment presentations

12. Math & Science Enrichment Program Goal is to serve as a bridge to university study in programs that lead to careers requiring a pure or applied science background. • Restricted enrollment to Aboriginal students • Class size limit to 30 students per class • Mandatory lab and tutorial sessions • Voluntary non-academic presentations • 2005-6: 24 enrolled

13. Aboriginal Students’ Centre • Aboriginal Students’ Centre (ASC) was established in 1991 to increase Aboriginal student enrollment & improve their success. Began with small staff (1), now: • 4 permanent F/T staff (Manager, Admin. Assistant, Student Advisor & Resource Coordinator) • P/T Staff include Life Skills Coach, two Elders & approximately 20 students as tutors • College Partnerships (Academic

14. Aboriginal Achievement Model Team Members Charlotte Ross Arts/Science Coordinator Academic Programs for Aboriginal Students Kathleen Makela ASC Manager Lori Delorme ASC Resource/Handbook Coordinator Angus Sanderson MSEP/AFYEP Student Advisor Dave Cowan MSEP/AFYEP Academic Director Elizabeth Duret Certified Life Skills Coach & Group Facilitator

15. Life Skills Coaching & Programming Personal life skills coaching • One-on-one, informal sessions • Identifying personal barriers to success • Developing a proactive approach to resolving personal issues • Referrals to appropriate community resources Group Facilitation & Workshops • Based upon student needs • Requires a level of trust between facilitator & student

16. Student Advisor • Student intake and recruitment • Registration processes • Transition and funding advising • Referral to academic advising, personal support • Monitoring student attendance

17. Relationship with SIAST

18. Best practices discussion: 30 minutes • What is the context for Aboriginal students from your region? • What is working well on your campus? • What advice do you seek from your colleagues?

19. More on Aboriginal students at CACUSS 2007? • #1 Financial Aid Myth Busting Stories from Indian Country • #2 A Collaborative Approach to Engaging Aboriginal Youth in Postsecondary Education and Leadership Training • #5 Celebrating and Supporting Aboriginal Student Achievement • #6 Aboriginal Success in Trades and Technologies • #6 Science and Health Aboriginal Success Strategy Program • #7 Aboriginal Student Support at UBC-Okanagan • #7 Working with our students BEFORE they enroll: The Career Trek Program • #8 Finding their own path: The Building of an Aboriginal Student Development Theory • #8 Circle of Strength: Native Access Program to Nursing/Medicine • #9 Partnerships and Programming for Aboriginal Student Success • Poster Monday, 11:45-1:45 Becoming Whole: A Model of Empowerment in Aboriginal Women Leaders and Professionals

20. In closing…