The Blinn Transfer Enrollment to A&M (TEAM) Program

1. The Blinn Transfer Enrollment to A&M (TEAM) Program Russ T. Graves, Ph.D. Director of Programs General Academic Programs Texas A&M University Kriss H. Boyd, Ph.D. Executive Director General Academic Programs Texas A&M University Michael J. Yeater, M.S.T. Director, Academic Advising & Counseling Center Blinn College

2. Overview • Background • Basics • Benefits • Breakdown • Lessons Learned K

3. Background K

4. Background • Factors that facilitated TEAM • A&M operating at maximum capacity • Increasing number of applicants • Corresponding increase in denial of • qualified applicants • Large number of Blinn transfers • History of close collaboration • TEAM partnership signed June ’01 • Partnership renewed June ’06 K

5. Basics • 2-year program • Requirements for automatic A&M admission: • 45 Blinn credit hours • 15 A&M credit hours • 3.0 GPR at each school • Students co-enroll in 1 or 2 A&M courses & the rest at Blinn. • Students may compete for early transfer admission • Students who do not gain full admission via TEAM or transfer processes become eligible for readmission as A&M former students. M

6. 3 Methods of Admission from TEAM: • Transfer • Complete TEAM • - 45 Blinn hrs / 3.0 GPA • - 15 A&M hrs / 3.0 GPA • 3. Readmission R

7. Basics • TEAM students meet all freshman admission requirements • Selected from the pool of qualified regular applicants • How the Freshman Admission Process Works: • Top 10% applicants automatically offered admission • Other qualified applicants reviewed • Admission offers extended to > 12,000 • The most qualified [2,000] applicants remaining placed on the Wait List, and/or considered for Blinn TEAM • After confirmations received, some Wait List applicants may be fully admitted (based on the freshman class target size) • Approx. 1,000 of those remaining on Wait List offered TEAM • 600+ applicants expected to accept TEAM offer R

8. Benefits (to students) -Four-year university experience -Advising at both schools -Use of facilities at both schools -Financial Aid eligibility -A&M dorm residence -A&M sporting events -Blinn tuition savings -Blinn smaller class sizes -Blinn Associate Degree -Student activities at both schools --Fish Camp, Corps, etc. M

9. Benefits (costs) TEAM Student (15 hrs) Blinn (10 hrs) Tuition $680 Fees 300 TAMU (5 hrs) Tuition 883 Fees 701* TOTAL $ 2,564 A&M Student (15 hrs) Tuition $ 2,648 Fees 1,157* TOTAL $3,805 TEAM Students may save > $1,200 per semester M *Fees represent minimum estimate Fall 2010

10. Benefits (to A&M) • Admission of quality students who would have otherwise been denied • Increased lower division enrollment without decreasing upper division capacity and resources • Places A&M in a leadership role in seeking creative ways of admitting transfer students—TEAM is a unique program in Texas • State Legislature Interested • Queries from universities outside Texas K

11. Benefits (to Blinn) • Collaborative partnership with a major university • Unique status among State community colleges • Admission of academically prepared students • Improves classroom learning environment • Contributes to Blinn having the highest transfer rate to four-year schools • Increased enrollment M

12. Breakdown K

13. Breakdown R

14. Breakdown R

15. Breakdown • TEAM is in its 10th year • Three-fourths of students matriculate to A&M • State transfer rate – 32% • Blinn transfer rate – 52% • 1,225 have graduated from A&M to date • - 65% graduation rate • - 125 with Latin Honors; 10% of graduates • Twice nominated for the THECB Star Award • 750 TEAM freshmen projected for Fall 2011 • Will bring total participants since 2001 to 5,000 K

16. Examples of TEAM Student Leadership & Involvement • Corps of Cadets • Aggie Band • Ross Volunteers • Student Government • Fish Camp Counselors • Yell Leader • Fraternity President • ASSIST Mentors • Blinn Ambassadors R

17. Lessons Learned • Need for a partnership must exist. • Support and commitment of governance boards and administration is critical. • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board • Texas A&M University System Board of Regents • Blinn College Board of Trustees • Presidents, chief academic officers, chief student affairs officers, deans, department heads • Designate a leader from each institution. • Establish guidelines to facilitate communication among partners. K

18. Lessons Learned • Identify critical issues early: • Admissions • Faculty resistance • Co-enrollment issues (financial aid) • Technology interfaces • Implementation Committee • Admissions Subcommittee • Academic Affairs Subcommittee • Student Affairs Subcommittee • Financial Aid Subcommittee • Oversight and Coordination Committee initially responsible for periodic evaluation • This can be subsequently delegated M

19. Blinn TEAM Program QUESTIONS? Russ T. Graves, Ph.D. Director of Programs General Academic Programs Texas A&M University Michael J. Yeater, M.S.T. Director, Academic Advising & Counseling Center Blinn College Kriss H. Boyd, Ph.D. Executive Director General Academic Programs Texas A&M University