First in the World Weekend College

1. First in the World Weekend College Victoria Marron, Grant Director Jessica Thompson-Falla, Completion Coach Kathryn Hernandez, Faculty Coordinator

2. Baytown, TX • Population: 72,418 • Median Age: 31.7 • Median Household Income $48,191 • 12 service area school districts • 4 county service area • Goose Creek Poverty Rate = 19.3% • Texas Poverty Rate = 17.4% • United States Poverty Rate = 14.9%

3. Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $2.7 million grant in order to spur the development of innovations that improve educational outcomes and make college more affordable for students and families, and to develop an evidence base of effective practices.” Grant #P116F140214

4. Lee College Weekend College Goal Increase access and completion for underrepresented, underprepared and low-income students by offering five streamlined Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Sciences degrees for full-time students on Fridays evenings and Saturdays. Grant #P116F140214

5. Lee College Weekend College Format Pre-designed two year schedule with block-scheduled, primarily hybrid, classes to create learning communities among the students, 100 students per year will be moved toward persistence and graduation by case management techniques. Remediation Offered as a three-week bridge if the students are close to college-level or in a self-paced lab setting if more extensive work is needed. Expectation At least 43% of the Weekend College students will complete their degrees within three years as opposed to the current completion rate of 22.6% over four years. Research Randomized experimental design Grant #P116F140214

6. Degrees Offered Associate of Arts General Studies – Allied Health Associate of Arts General Studies – Social Science Associate of Arts Business Administration & Management Associate of Applied Science – Welding Associate of Applied Science - Computer and Network Maintenance Technology

7. Administrative Role’s • Communication - press releases, marketing designs, program officer • Core and Larger Team Members - meetings and professional development • Team building - DiSC contractor and follow-up on working with others • Faculty - loads, class assignments, master scheduling

8. Administrative Role’s • Budget – amendments, administrative assistant, understanding regulations, purchasing processes, HR guidelines and hiring committee responsibilities • Evaluator – RFP process, constant communication, Director as liaison for the institution, faculty and administration

9. Faculty Roles • Understanding the Weekend student • Design of Schedule • Coding & Contact Hours • Slicks

15. Faculty Roles • Effective communication with chairs • Advance notice of schedule • Finding Instructors • Training • Hybrid/online certification • Smarthinking

16. Case Management Who are the Weekend College Students? • Began: 47 / Current Enrollment: 41 • FTIC: 20 / Returning: 27 • Not college ready in math: 28 • Not college ready in reading & writing: 14 • Pell or TPE recipients: 21 • Receive Lee scholarships: 16 • Federal Loan: 8 • No aid: 16 • Veterans: 4 (Use benefits) • Ages: 18 – 65

17. Case Management College Completion Coach • Support students through degree completion in a hybrid advisor-mentor-counselor role • Consistent check ins with students, various forms of communication • Maintain relationships with college offices and off campus resources; make appropriate referrals when necessary • Function as a link between instructors and students; encourage team effort for student success • Advocate for and with students to overcome barriers • Research and create different ways to deliver services, such as workshops and social events • Keep abreast and pass on knowledge regarding financial aid, registration and degree requirements, etc.

18. Case Management Focus on proactive versus reactive methods to success: • Weekly updates from instructors • Connect at first signs of concern • Absences • Lateness • Behavioral issues • Missed assignments • Missed appointments • Unfinished processes • Resistance to challenge or growth

19. Case Management Academic Advising • Initial intake • Understanding college processes • Admissions • Financial Aid • Individualized registration meetings – CCC must register students • Navigating degree map • Midterm Progress meetings • Post graduation options, focusing on transferring • Time management and study skills • Workshops and orientations

20. Case Management Social Service Referrals • Crisis intervention • Discussion of personal issues and barriers: • Institutional obstacles • Divorce • Bankruptcy • Homelessness • Mental and physical health ailments • Appropriate referrals such: • Legacy Community Health • Baytown Public Housing • Benefits Bank application • Special Populations Office • Lee College Scholarship Office and application • Stay within limit of profession, no long term counseling

21. Case Management Think outside the box: • Cohort Social Events • Encourage cohort support, peer-to-peer mentoring • Have specific orientations and ceremonies, while still utilizing college’s events • Flexible appointment schedule – optimize hours • Various avenues for communication • Remind Me 101 texting system • Email to personal and school emails • Personal phone calls • Classroom visits

22. Case Management How much do I really annoy them? • Average number of group contacts per cohort: 9 • Average number of personal contacts per student: 5 • Number of Group Texts: 23 • Initial intake: 1 • Program Orientation: 1 • Freshman Follow Ups: 1 • Meet and Eat: 1

23. Victoria Marron, STEM & FITW Grant Directorvmarron@lee.edu281-425-6501Jessica Thompson Falla, Completion Coachjfalla@lee.edu281-425-6421Kathryn Hernandez, Faculty Coordinatorkhernandez@lee.edu832-556-4019

24. Thank you!