Presented by Hannah Lewis and Brian McGowan

Promoting Community Involvement to First Year Students through Academic Service Learning (ASL) and First Year Experience Programs (FYE) Presented by Hannah Lewis and Brian McGowan

Overview • Background of ASL and FYE programs at NMU • Student experience surveys • Brainstorm ideas for projects • Share ways to make the ASL/FYE partnership successful at your institution

Assumptions • ASL is a positive experience • Community involvement is a positive experience • FYE is a positive experience • ALS and FYE combined is a positive experience…and maybe even better

The History of ASL at Northern • Adopted in 2000 – started with the Education Department and student teaching • Used 14 sub grants provided by Learn and Serve America • Winter 2003 - creation of ASL advisory board • Survey revealed 85 courses in 35 content areas had ASL characteristics. • In 2004 - 30 faculty members took part in a two day seminar on ‘relating theory to practice’ by Dr. Dale Rice.

The History of ASL at Northern • 2005 - development of ASL website and use of ASL courses in promotion and tenure materials • Development of NMU ASL definition and designation requirements (used Eastern MU previously) • 2006/2007 - Provost Office funded ten $500 Action Grants for ASL projects

Definition of ASL • A course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students: • participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs; and • reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of both personal values and civic responsibility.

ASL Designation • To have an ASL designation, classes must include the following five common elements: • Community partners or agencies must be involved in the planning of the service projects • Conceptualized connection between course objectives and service activities • Service projects must enrich the learning experience • All parties involved in the service projects must benefit • Time built into the syllabus for formal active reflection, which enables students to synthesize and derive new meaning from their experiences • Examples would include activities such as directed writings, small group discussions and class presentations

ASL Board/Structure • Chaired by Dr. Judith Puncochar- Department of Education • Four credit course release • Subcommittees • Research • Outreach • Grant • Curriculum • Faculty recognition award supported by academic dean • Guest speaker preparations Edward Ztlotkowski (April) • Increasing our research on ASL in rural areas

The Growth of ASL at Northern • In the beginning, there were 2-3courses and 6 sections designated as ASL

Student, Faculty and Community Partner Surveys • Qualtrics • NOT based on learning objectives/outcomes • Faculty send survey to students and community partners • Currently refining faculty and community partner surveys

First Year Experience (FYE) at Northern • Northern adopted FYE in 1995 • The mission of FYE: • To enhance student satisfaction, success, retention, and graduation • Program Goals: • To help students develop strategies and attitudes to maximize academic success • To familiarize student with campus resources and how to use them • To assist students with developing positive relationships with faculty, staff, student leaders and peers

FYE at NMU • Each fall there are about 65 UN 100 sections • Representing about 70% of the incoming class’ enrollment

FYE Works • FYE retains 90% compared to it’s counterparts at 80% • FYE students outperform their counterparts academically, by roughly 3/10 of a GPA percentage

All ASL vs. UN100 ASL

Quotes from UN 100 (ASL) Students • “The volunteer gets a better understanding of what their future career may include. The community partners can get more work done with volunteers.” • “It gets you out in the community which makes learning some things easier. It is also great to give back to the community at the same time as earning credits. Many college kids don't have a lot of extra time to volunteer, so this is a nice way to get out in the community and give back.” • “I liked being able to interact with people from the Marquette community. Coming to a university can be scary because you are leaving your community to be in a community of students. But it is nice to be active and participate with the rest of the community as well.” • “It sparks an interest in community work and gives real-life experience.”

ASL Projects in UN 100 Courses • Volunteer hours range from 2-15+ • UPAWS • North Star Academy • Lake Superior Youth and family center • Marquette General Hospital • Moosewood

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership • Empower teaching assistants • Designation forms • Brainstorm ideas and work out the logistics • Letters to give to instructors • Support from both ASL and FYE • Spotlights

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership • Support New Faculty • Informal mentoring program • ASL contact for each department

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership • Create incentives for faculty • Awards • Spotlights • Grants

A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership • Collect data to support administrative decisions • ASL is collecting data on students, faculty, and community partners • FYE is collecting data on retention and student satisfaction with course evaluations

Preliminary data comparing UN 100 courses with and without an ASL component

ASL and FYE at YOUR Institution • What works for you? • Where is your program struggling? • Ideas for others?

Presented by Hannah Lewis and Brian McGowan