OUR PARTNERSHIP: Student Success Creating Your Path at an Honors University

OUR PARTNERSHIP: Student SuccessCreating Your Path at an Honors University Jill Randles 410-455-3715 jrandles@umbc.edu http://fye.umbc.edu

This presentation will provide you with… • An understanding of the university’s expectations and the resources available in supporting students in meeting those expectations • An introduction to typical road blocks to success • An introduction to the advising process and the role of advisors • An introduction to key offices and programs on campus that promote engagement and support success both in and outside the classroom As you think about these topics, which ones relate to your concerns, what is missing?

Learning that starts today…

Their focus vs. Your focus

Something else is happening…personal development. Plus meeting the expectations that accompany college-level work.

Asking for help Time management Communication

Use the Campus Resources and Create a High Impact Learning Experience

Perhaps differences between previous academic work and UMBC… In the slides that follow, are four areas that challenge many new students, but are abilities faculty and staff often expect students to have. Lots of resources to support them as they grow in these areas, but this is work with which they will have to actively engage…Learning for Mastery. As we review the next few slides think about your family member’s preparation.

Initiative

Which of these areas do you think are your family member’s strengths? Resilience, Motivation, Initiative, Accountability Which of these strengths did you possess at their age?

Then provide tools for exploration… • Visit academic department’s web site for details and unique characteristics about your program • Review the Undergraduate Catalog for prerequisites and other related information • Explore how the department manages advising • Who are the faculty? Research interest? Etc…. Provide opportunities for support…tutoring, SI Pass, Writing Center, Student Disability services, Advising, Counseling, Health and Wellness, faculty and staff connections, peer engagement, to name a few.

Advising Advising is required at UMBC, so students must see a professional advisor or faculty member at least once every semester for clearance to register, but advising is much more than this. It is an opportunity to…. Explore new paths and direction… a Guide Prepare for internships and the world of work…a Mentor Provide support when challenges are experienced…a Resource Celebrate your successes…a Colleague These connections begin today as students talk with an Orientation Advisor.

What we want to help students avoid...

What is missing?? • Family Responsibilities • Socializing • Sleeping • Sorority / Fraternity • Time to Relax • Tutoring/Study Groups • Meeting with Advisor • Meeting with Faculty • 11.5 more study hours (3 hrs. for 1 hr. in class) • Job, Full or part-time, on or off campus • Breakfast • Shower • Dressing/Laundry • Commuting • Parking • Sports

What is an Honors University Experience? Well…it will look different for each student, and we can support a variety of paths, but it should include some of the following. • First-Year Experience (Honors experience for all) • Applied learning opportunities i.e. research, study abroad, service-learning, internships • Explore Prestigious Scholarships • Multiple degrees/minors/certificates • Interdisciplinary experiences/study • Performance as a co-curricular or area of study

Clubs and Organizations • Departmental seminars/guest speakers/networking: Really engage with faculty across disciplines • Welcome Week: Fun and informative sessionsrelated to academic and engagement opportunities-Everyone is looking to connect!! • Off Campus Student Services • Leadership opportunities: SGA, RA, Club Officer, Peer Mentor, Tutor, etc. • Step outside one’s comfort zone, try something new • Study groups Commit to one activity during the first semester that helps them feel part of the UMBC community.

First Year OpportunitiesMirror Proven Best Practices First Year Seminars Transfer Seminars Introduction to an Honors University Seminars May already have selected Summer Bridge or a Living Learning Community

What is it? A UMBC website devoted to helping you find your path Top 3 reasons your student should visit the Career Center 2.Write a Resume and Cover Letter 3.Gain Experience & Connect with Employers 1. Explore Your Major/ Career Options

Celebrating 25 Years of Bridging Campus & Community! Service-Learning & Community Engagement creates spaces in which students, faculty, and staff deepen understanding of community needs and assets and develop relationships with community partners to bring about positive, systematic change. Public Service Scholars are rising juniors and seniors who receive paid summer fellowships to explore careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. Shriver Peaceworker Fellows are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, a part of a growing network of social change leaders building peace and community through service and learning in Sargent Shriver’s spirit of practical idealism. They offer Peace Corps Prep for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing international service. The Choice Program envisions communities where youth make choices that strengthen their lives, their families and their world.

Undergraduate Research and Prestigious Scholarships Getting involved in research as an undergraduate helps you network with faculty both on and off campus, strengthen your resume for graduate school, professional school, and employment, support your artistic vision, and helps you apply what they’ve learned in the classroom in a research setting. UMBC has several programs that affirm UMBC’s commitment to the twin goals of research and a distinctive undergraduate experience: Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD)features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits, performances, and film. Undergraduate Research Awards (URA)provide up to $1,500 to undergraduate students to support their research or creative work with a UMBC faculty mentor on an original project. UMBC students of all years and disciplines are invited to apply. UMBC Review (Journal of Undergraduate Research)Published annually, this peer-reviewed journal features academic papers written by UMBC undergraduates. Travel AwardsStudents who are invited to present their work at a conference or festival may apply for funds to support their travel. Summer ResearchAssistance with finding and applying to summer research opportunities. Prestigious ScholarshipsSupport for students applying for prestigious scholarships such as Rhodes, Gates-Cambridge, Marshall, Truman Goldwater, and others. ur.umbc.edu

Study Abroad WHY? Study abroad is one of the best ways students can acquire global skills and open up personal and professional opportunities. WHERE? Students can go almost anywhere in the world to an academically accredited institution and take courses to make degree progress in major, minor, or GEP WHEN? Opportunities are available in the spring, fall, summer, January term, and academic year and vary in length from as short as 2-weeks to up to a whole semester HOW MUCH? Opportunities vary in price but some cost the same as UMBC tuition or less. Financial aid is usually transferrable to study abroad programs and the Study Abroad Office works with students to apply for scholarships IS IT SAFE? The Study Abroad Office works to prepare students for a safe and healthy experience while sending them to vetted programs in safe and culturally rich locations

Study Abroad • A study of nearly 80,000 respondents across 34 countries found that graduates who studied abroad had a 23% lower unemployment rate five years after graduation (European Commission, 2014). • 85% of alumni cited study abroad as the most meaningful experience of their undergraduate education and 80% reported that study abroad contributed to their ability to adapt to diverse workplace environments . (AIFS, 2013) • 97% of study abroad alumni indicated the experience increased their maturity, 96% reported greater self-confidence, 95% indicated a lasting impact on their perception of the world and 89% claimed it helped them to tolerate ambiguity (Jones, 2014). • Studies show students who study abroad have better grades, experience less attrition, and graduate from college at higher rates than students who do not study abroad.

We are a Community that exists in aUniversity…Can you avoid us?…yes…but you have to work at it. In summary…issues like time management, study skills, communication, knowledge about resources, etc…we can help them develop a strong skill set. The second set of skills, such as motivation, initiative, and others are ones they will come to in their own time, but, at UMBC, I hope you can see that we set up experiences to support them in doing this. Their engagement will be KEY to successful outcomes by asking for help, managing their work and fun, communicating in a timely manner, and using all of the resources we have available.

OUR PARTNERSHIP: Student Success Creating Your Path at an Honors University