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The Unique Needs of Transfer Students

The Unique Needs of Transfer Students. Carolyn Blattner, Charisse Coston, Kevin Parsons September 30, 2013. Goals. Consider characteristics of transfer students Understand some of the challenges transfer students face

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The Unique Needs of Transfer Students

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  1. The Unique Needs of Transfer Students Carolyn Blattner, Charisse Coston, Kevin Parsons September 30, 2013

  2. Goals • Consider characteristics of transfer students • Understand some of the challenges transfer students face • Discuss implications for academic advising to support transfer student success

  3. Snapshot of UNC Charlotte TransfersEntering Transfer Class, Fall Semester Tamara Johnson, Student Success at UNC Charlotte: A Series of Working Papers

  4. New TR Student Demographics 2011-2012 Prior Institution 73% from NC institutions 51% from NC community colleges CPCC largest single feeder Credit Hours Transferred ~30% transfer 61-75 hours ~38% transfer 31-60 hours ~21% transfer 30 or fewer hours Cynthia Wolf Johnson, Student Success Working Group (February 12, 2013) Claire Kirby, Student Success Working Group (April 9, 2013)

  5. UNC Charlotte Transfer Population by College Fall 2011 Source: Report Central, All Undergraduate Student Demographics, retrieved July 2013

  6. Summary – One Year Persistence Cohorts: FALL 2005-2007-2009-2011; Criteria #1: Transfer Origin; Criteria #2: Initial Enrollment Status Cynthia Wolf Johnson, Student Success Working Group (February 12, 2013)

  7. EASE Survey • The Successful Transfer Student • Most attempted hours and higher attempted /earned hours ratio • Previous education experience matters (hours earned & degree attainment) • Highest first semester GPA • Self report that they were most prepared for class • Self report that they know when to seek out faculty for help if needed Ted Elling, Student Success Working Group (April 23, 2013)

  8. National Context Transfer swirl: attending multiple institutions to earn degree Transfer shock: dip in transfer student’s grades during first semester at new institution

  9. Activity Two-minute Brainstorm: Group 1: Academic issues for transfer students Group 2: Social/Emotional issues for transfer students Group 3: Financial issues for transfer students

  10. Transitions: Academics Academic Performance: New Transfers are placed on academic probation at higher rates than New Freshmen at end of first fall semester Class Size: Many new students report class sizes less than 50 at previous institution Logistics of Transfer: New transfers regularly report questions about transfer credit, exemptions, requirements Source: Academic Standing of All Undergraduate Students Report, Fall 2011, Institutional Research Source: Informal Survey, SOAR 2013

  11. Transfer Student Stories Many transfer students self-identify challenges and realize what they need to be successful.

  12. Transfer Student Challenges Academic “In the past while taking courses at CPCC, I felt less motivated while being there so I was just doing assignments to get by. I will be using all the resources that are available to me to go above and beyond.”

  13. Advising Implications: Academic Challenges Progression: Use CAPP and advising transcript Pay close attention to course attributes and course electives General Education: General Education attribute exempts student from specific requirement Contact Admissions or suggest student make appeal if course title seems similar to GenEd requirement University Advising Center can assist

  14. Advising Implications: Academic Challenges Academic policy Explain tuition surcharge or suggest student review policy if transferring large number of credits GenEd appeals go to Dean of University College Major/minor appeals go to dept. chair GPA does not transfer Ask about completion of associate’s degree if student has large number of community college credits Beware of repeated courses when possible Remind student that UNC Charlotte policies may be different than those at previous institution

  15. Advising Implications: Academic Challenges Academic Performance Help student select courses that meet requirements and allow for successful performance Discuss strategies for succeeding in large courses Encourage connection with faculty Encourage use of campus resources Encourage regular class attendance

  16. Transfer Student Challenges Socio-Emotional “I hope to find time to join and participate in at least a few clubs/organizations while I’m here, as well as enjoy catching our school athletic teams compete. Also, I’m hoping to forge some long-lasting friendships that will endure even after graduation.”

  17. Advising Implications: Socio-Emotional Challenges Engagement—Academic and Social Encourage student to connect with faculty and become involved in life of the department (honorary, research opportunities, events) Encourage regular contact and connection with advisor Discuss social and community engagement opportunities Encourage connection with University Career Center early Consider ways that internships or other experiential learning opportunities may fit into student’s plan

  18. Transfer Student Challenges Financial “Everyday expenses and renting is a headache, but I plan to use Financial Aid and National Guard benefits to help. Maybe a campus job too.”

  19. Advising Implications: Financial Challenges Discuss work/school balance Refer to Office of Student Financial Aid Refer to University Career Center, on-campus job postings Understand residency requirements (in-state and out-of-state) Explain possibility of tuition surcharge Student will want to consider family financial situation (dependence)

  20. A Faculty Advisor Summary Concerns Challenges for advisors Challenges for students Expectations

  21. Criminal Justice and Criminology Department About half of our undergraduate population in major are transfer students Transfer students were graduating at slower pace than native students

  22. CJUS Learning Community Goals To aid academic and social transition during the transfer process To provide a sense of belonging To introduce students to the major and to UNC Charlotte To involve students in the major and/or UNC Charlotte through a self-chosen volunteer experience

  23. Year Long Program Limited to 25 newly admitted transfer students Course 1: Graded, Writing-Intensive requirement Blocked Seating in another course, dependent upon pre-major or major Course 2: Graded, Oral Communication requirement, includes volunteer experience

  24. Descriptive Characteristics of Two Samples

  25. Descriptive Characteristics of Two Samples (cont.)

  26. Research on Transfer Student Stressors Method LC students were asked to indicate their biggest stressors (open-ended), and then to rank order the intensity of stressor(s) Question asked at three times during the year of participation in LC.

  27. Results: Top 5 Non-Traditional Student Stressors Learning New Campus Transfer Credit Loneliness Balancing full time work and school New rules and practices

  28. Results: Top 5 Traditional Student Stressors Learning New Campus Transfer Credit Registering for Classes (tie) Loneliness 4. Transferring from Pre-Major to Major 5. Learning new policies and rules

  29. Sources This presentation is based, in part, upon material derived from the following sources: Coston, C; Blowers, A, and D. Baals. (under editorial review) Non-traditional transfer students: Assessing academic outcomes from participants in a criminal justice learning community. Lord, V.; Coston C; Blowers, A; Davis, B. and K. Johannes (2012). The multidimensional impact of a transfer learning community. Journal of First Year Experience and Students in Transition. Vol.24 (2). Coston, C; Lord, V. and J. Monell (2010). Improving the success of transfer students: Responding to risk factors. Journal of Learning Community Research. 5 (2). Reprinted in Learning Communities Research and Practice . 1 (1).

  30. Campus Resources Tau Sigma Transfer Student Honor Society Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) Transfer Student Admissions website Office of the Registrar Facebook group called “Transfer Students-UNC Charlotte” University Career Center University Center for Academic Excellence Office of Student Activities Veteran Student Outreach Multicultural Academic Services Advising and student services office listed for your major and college Transfer Specialists in Dean of Students, University Advising Center, and University Career Center Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships General advising website (http://www.advising.uncc.edu/)

  31. Conclusions Advisors can continue to advocate for transfers and become informed about unique needs. CJUS provides one model that addresses Academic, Socio Emotional, Work/Financial issues

  32. Questions/Discussion

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