Transfer Student Success Through Collaboration

1. Transfer Student Success Through Collaboration Presented by: Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D. Shouan Pan, Ph.D. Andrea Buehman, M.A. AACC 91st Annual Convention • April 10, 2011

2. Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University • Fall 2010 Enrollment: • Maricopa Community Colleges – over 141,000 credit students at 10 colleges • ASU - 70,000 students on 4 urban and suburban campuses • Serving Residents of Maricopa County: • More than 4 million population • 9,000 square miles American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 2

3. Maricopa-ASU Transfer Stats • 4900 students transferred from a Maricopa Community College to Arizona State University in the 2009-10 academic year. • 57% of all new transfers into ASU in Fall 2010 were from a Maricopa Community College American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 3

4. Developing a Culture of Transfer: The New Alliance • History of Collaboration between Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University • Mutual commitment to strengthen existing Maricopa-ASU Alliance • One year to develop the framework at executive level • Memorandum of Understanding signed by CEO’s December 2008 • Implementation plan agreed on and signed in 2009. American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 4

5. Alliance Signing Ceremony American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 5

6. Guiding Principles • Excellent academic preparation • Specific prescribed pathways to ASU majors: Maricopa-ASU Pathways Program (MAPP) • Financial support • Tuition commitment; transfer scholarships • Strong advisement • ASU advisors on Maricopa campuses; joint advisor training and collaboration American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 6

7. Guiding Principles • Assessment of the transfer student experience • Data sharing • Monitor and evaluate student progress • Electronic transcript system • Technology solutions to smooth transfer process American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 7

8. Shared Goals • Double transfers over five years, from baseline of 4300 in 2008-09 • Double number of students transferring with an associate’s degree • Increase successful completion of baccalaureate degrees • Ensure seamless transitions • Improve direct transfer into specific degree programs American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 8

9. Student Benefits at the Center • Clearly prescribed program pathways; no loss of credit when MAPP is followed • Requires completion of associate’s degree • Guaranteed admission into university programs • Participation in ASU “Tuition Commitment” program – caps on increases • Eligibility for transfer scholarships • Dedicated advising from both colleges and university American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 9

10. Necessary Elements • Have a shared commitment from institutional leadership • Dedicate resources to implementation • Focus on students • Use research-based best practices for transfer student success American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 10

11. Time to Implement • Steering Team and Work Teams focused on MAPP development • Intensive 9-month planning phase • Analysis of top majors; develop first phase • College and system-level business processes • Advisor training, advising tools • MAPP degree audits • Technology solutions for data sharing • Communication and marketing plan • Development of web sites American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 11

12. American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 12

13. Roll-Out Plan • Begin with top 30 most popular ASU majors for Maricopa transfer students. • Add majors as approved by ASU academic units or requested by Maricopa faculty. • Ensure consistent messaging and information dissemination, both at the Maricopa colleges and the university. American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 13

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15. MAPP Enrollments American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 15

16. Under Development • AAS to BAS agreements • Joint admissions for MAPP students – under development • Maricopa student access to ASU’s e-advisor system American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 16

17. Challenges • Addressing complexities of two large organizations • Reading consensus about business processes • Developing technology solutions • Agreeing upon consistent student messaging from both institutions American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 17

18. The College View • Mesa Community College: • More than 26,000 students • 47% plan to transfer to another college or university • Close proximity to ASU Tempe and ASU Polytechnic campuses • 966 MCC students transferred to ASU in Fall 2010 • 650 Students enrolled in MAPPs as of 3/31/11 American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 18

19. Faculty View • MCC and ASU are creating a student-centered transfer culture: • Video monitors with MAPPs information • Course Guide includes MAPPs information • Website, table tents, posters, fliers refer to MAPPs • Strategies to increase completion of associate and bachelor degrees: • Faculty Advising Compliments Teaching (FACT ) • On-site ASU advisor specialist • Training offered to Faculty and Staff twice each semester American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 19

20. Student View • Benefits: • Guaranteed admission to ASU degree programs when all MAPP requirements are met • Eligibility for the ASU Tuition Commitment • Merit-based scholarships available to students who complete an associate’s degree • Transfer advising on-site at MCC American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 20

21. Student View • Challenges: • Expand MAPP offerings • Early awareness, i.e. in high schools • Simplify the MAPP process for out-of-state credit American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 21

22. MCC Transfer Student Performance at ASU • Over 25% of students receiving a bachelor’s degree from ASU have transfer credits from Mesa Community College.  • MCC students transferring to ASU (with 12 or more credits) earned an average GPA of 3.13.  • Transfer students earning degrees or certificates from MCC earned an average GPA of 3.29. • MCC is 5% above the state average in transfer and student performance. American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 22

23. For More Information • http://www.maricopa.edu/alliance/ • Contact us at: • span@mesacc.edu • maria.harper@domail.maricopa.edu • andrea.buehman@domail.maricopa.edu American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 23

24. Questions? American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention, April 9-12, 2011, New Orleans 24