brian jicinsky and kathy jicinsky miami university maximizing the use of your transfer student...
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Brian Jicinsky and Kathy JicinskyMiami University
Maximizing the Use of Your Transfer Student
Organization
Overview
Miami University specificsFormation and structure of Miami University
Transfer Student Organization (MUSTO)MUSTO partnership with Office of AdmissionMUSTO partnership with Office of New
Student ProgramsQ&A and discussion
Roles at Miami University
Kathy Assistant Director of New Student Programs Advisor of Miami University Transfer Student
Organization (MUSTO)
Brian Interim Assistant Director of Admission Transfer Coordinator Advisor of Miami University Transfer Student
Organization (MUSTO)
Miami University Specifics
Located in Oxford, Ohio (resident population: 8,000)
Public university 5 Campuses
Residential university with focus on teaching undergraduates
Student population is 16,884 Undergraduate students: 14,671 Graduate students: 2,213
Transfer student numbers for the 2009-2010 academic year: 400
Miami University Transfer Student Organization (MUSTO)
Student initiated and createdGoal: To help transfer students transition
smoothly and find community at Miami University.
Current structure 2 Co-Presidents Treasurer Secretary Committees 15-20 active members 3 Advisors
MUSTO Benefits the Campus Community
Built in focus group to inform practice Programmatic changes implemented as a result of
members’ feedback, suggestions, and ideas
Cost effective resourcesPeer to peer mentoringPassionate about and dedicated to helping
othersPower of the “student voice”
MUSTO’s Partnership with Admission: Marketing
WebsiteTransfer student Facebook pageTransfer student viewbookTransfer student online chatsTransfer student acceptance packet
Shift toward focusing on student stories and experiences rather than facts and statistics.
MUSTO’s Partnership with Admission: Transfer Visit Days
MUSTO members serve as Student Ambassadors: Engage in conversation with students and families Answer questions of students and families Share information about experiences about life as a
Miami student and the transition process Connect with incoming transfer students on a
personal, peer-to-peer level
Partnership with New Student Programs: Orientation
Orientation for transfer students Not required Day-and-a-half long program including information sharing,
advising, and registration Occurs the week before classes begin
Transfer Student Leaders throughout Orientation Facilitate conversations about transfer student transitions Answer questions about campus life, inside-the-classroom
expectations and experiences, involvement, etc. Serve on a student panel Attend social events with transfer students Coordinate additional activities for transfer students after
Orientation concludes
Partnership with New Student Programs:EDL 110: The University and the Student
Optional, 1-credit, credit/no credit, discussion based course.
Sections of the course specifically for transfer students.
MUSTO Member as Peer Facilitator Share experiences Lead class discussions Attend outside-of-class events with students Facilitate in-class activities Serve as a resource
MUSTO Members’ Experiences
Build community amongst membersJumping off point for student involvement Rewarding to work toward improving the
transfer experience for future studentsActive role creating Living Learning
Community for transfer students
MUSTO’s Future Initiatives
Living Learning Community programming for transfer students
Transfer Admission videos“Buddies program” with new transfer
students Campus-wide programmingCommunity service outreachReview of advising process for transfer
students
Discussion Questions
If your institution has a transfer student organization, how do you utilize this group? What works at your institution?
If your institution does not have a transfer student organization, would a group like this be beneficial? In what ways?
What ideas and/or suggestions do you have about additional ways to utilize a transfer student organization?
What challenges exist when working with and utilizing a transfer student organization?
