Navigating Student Engagement with the GPS LifePlan (Goals + Plans = Success)

1. Navigating Student Engagement with the GPS LifePlan (Goals + Plans = Success) Presented by: Michele Jersak, Counseling Faculty at Century College and MnSCU GPS LifePlan Coordinator

2. Brief History

3. Program Components • Website • eFolio • Campus Activities • Curriculum Integration • Student Success Day • Student-Faculty Interaction • http://www.gpslifeplan.org www.gpslifeplan.org

7. Topic Areas • Self-Assessment - Interests - Skills - Work Values - Personality • Career Research • Links to Education • Decision-Making • Marketing Yourself - Job Search - Resume and Cover letter - Networking - Interviewing • Managing Job Loss and Transitions

14. Topic Areas • Degree/Program • Course Planning • Study Skills • Learning Styles • Grade Issues • Transfer Planning • College Readiness • Library and Research Resources

21. Topic Areas • Financing Education - Financial Aid - Scholarships - Tax Related Benefits - Military Education Benefits • Budget • Debt Management • Credit Management • Identity Theft • Saving for the Future www.gpslifeplan.org/mnscumilitary

27. Topic Areas • Leadership Skills • Resources for Leading • Civic Engagement • Service Learning • Global Competence

31. Topic Areas • Life Transitions • Stress Management • Relationships • Fitness and Physical Health • Child Care • Housing • Transportation • Mental Health • Health Insurance Information • Legal Resources • Reintegration for Veterans www.gpslifeplan.org/WSURochester

32. Topic Areas • Life Transitions • Stress Management • Relationships • Fitness and Physical Health • Child Care • Housing • Transportation • Mental Health • Health Insurance Information • Legal Resources • Reintegration for Veterans

34. Integration Throughout Campus • New Student Orientation • Counseling appointments • Workshops throughout the semester • Student Success Day • eFolio • Student Life • Curriculum Integration

35. Curriculum Integration Examples • Developmental English • Budget Analysis, Understanding Your Credit, Getting out of Debt, Goal Setting, and Scholarship applications (FinancePlan) • Creating your Own Vision Mission (CareerPlan) • Marketing (Professional Development) • Leadership Styles (LeadershipPlan) • Stress Management Project (PersonalPlan) • Dental Hygiene • Learning Styles Assessment and Class Instruction (EducationPlan) • Develop a S.M.A.R.T. goal to identify a study skill the student would like to improve (EducationPlan)

36. Curriculum Integration Examples • Developmental Reading • Multiple Intelligences, Bloom’s Taxonomy of Critical Thinking (EducationPlan) • The Differences Between High School and College; Resiliency Activity and Mental Health Issues (Personal Plan) • Public Speaking • Leadership Philosophy, Articulating a Vision (LeadershipPlan) • Interests, values, skills, possible careers, major of study (CareerPlan) • Persuasive speech on finance related topic (FinancePlan)

38. Scenario 1 – Claire K. Displaced homemaker after 15 years of marriage Location: Metropolitan Area, MN Age: 35 Previous education: GED and 10 semester credits earned in her early 20’s Dependents: Son (6 yrs) Transition Needs: Situational • Readjust to a new budget • Determine resources to finance education • Seek funding for after school day care • Needs more affordable housing and transportation • Requires legal resources for pursuing child support Educational and Career • Assess how her interests, values, skills, and personality align with various fields • Explore labor market needs and job opportunities in the Metro Area • Research which education programs prepare her for the chosen career path • Determine how previous credit applies toward her chosen education path

39. FinancePlan: Create a budget FinancePlan: Financing options for her education LeadershipPlan: Leadership style assessment PersonalPlan: Child care options PersonalPlan: Housing resources PersonalPlan: Legal resources CareerPlan: Career assessments CareerPlan: Career exploration CareerPlan: Exploring education options EducationPlan: Determining education goals EducationPlan: Transfer information for credit review EducationPlan: Time management GPS LifePlan Resources for Claire

40. Scenario 2 – Danny T. U.S. Army Veteran (Five Years Service) Location: St. Cloud Age: 28 Previous education: High school diploma and military training Dependent: Spouse and Daughters (2 and 5 yrs) Transition Needs: Situational • Returned from service working as automotive production supervisor past 4 years • Currently laid off, has wife, two children, and mortgage – needs retraining • Eligible for unemployment benefits and has severance package • Severance package includes 6 months training benefit • Needs to explore other state, federal, and VA displaced worker/training programs Educational and Career • Investigate what and where are the job opportunities in the St. Cloud area • Explore educational programs closely related to his military/professional experience • Determine where to get maximum education credit for military/professional work • Struggles with test anxiety – needs to explore strategies

41. FinancePlan: Veteran’s benefits FinancePlan: Seeking financial help LeadershipPlan: Leadership philosophy PersonalPlan: Grief and loss PersonalPlan: Managing stress PersonalPlan: Change and resiliency CareerPlan: Career networking CareerPlan: Training options CareerPlan: Exploring education options EducationPlan: Determining education goals EducationPlan: Transfer information for credit review EducationPlan: Test preparation and anxiety GPS LifePlan Resources for Danny

42. Scenario 3 – Ashley S. First semester student Location: Duluth Age: 18 Previous education: Recent high school graduate Dependent: None Transition Needs: Situational • Having roommate difficulties • Has many questions about relationships • Has been feeling lethargic and unmotivated after the first 10 weeks of the term • Parents financial situation has changed and so she needs to find a PT job • Has recently lost her health insurance coverage due to parent’s circumstances Educational and Career • Is undecided – needs to learn more about herself and explore her options • Decide which classes to take next semester even though she is undecided • Struggling with her academics, needs to learn more about academic support, learning styles, and study skills

43. FinancePlan: Financial aid FinancePlan: Tax related benefits LeadershipPlan: Campus involvement PersonalPlan: Roommate tips PersonalPlan: Managing stress PersonalPlan: Depression screening test CareerPlan: Exploring education options CareerPlan: Job postings CareerPlan: Resume and interviewing EducationPlan: Determining education goals EducationPlan: Study skills and strategies EducationPlan: Learning styles assessment GPS LifePlan Resources for Ashley

44. Academic Challenge Meaningful connections to course objectives Student Effort Increase in motivation and student ownership Support for Learners Study Skills, Transition to College, Health Resources, Time Management Student-Faculty Interaction Faculty learn more about students and students feel more validated Active and Collaborative Learning Students can interact though creating eFolio & topic discussions

45. Community College Survey of Student Engagement

46. Reading 0080 AQIP ProjectRe-enrollment fall to spring rate

47. How faculty Use the program SP09 14% 37% 38% Required 19% Extra 10% 12% 38% 16% Century College Faculty Survey Fall 2006 (N=130)