Presentation to the National Partnerships for Educational Access Conference – Chicago, Illinois

From Access to Success: The First Year Student Enrichment Program

Presented by: Jay Davis, Dartmouth College

April 19, 2012

AGENDA

1. Overview of FYSEP Program Structure- Mission and Objectives- History- Current Structure

2. Collaboration Lessons:- Undergraduates- Faculty and Staff- Campus Programs- Other Institutions

3. Questions and Discussion

Mission Statement:The First Year Student Enrichment Program empowers first-generation students

at Dartmouth College to thrive academically and in the greater college community.

Learning Objectives for Students:• To thrive in college-level classes• To use campus resources to support them in their non-academic lives• To make the most of the unique network of support that the FYSEP students and

undergraduate mentors provide• To better understand their own inner-strengths, affinities, and areas for growth

Mission & Objectives

• Began in 2009 as a student-initiated and student-led programo Received limited financial support from the collegeo Focused on building a network and 1:1 mentoring relationships

• Became Administratively Supported Program in 2010o 5-day pre-orientation program targeted at first generation studentso Year long components including: academic workshops, social

activities and mentoring relationships

• Further Changes in 2011-2012 o 7-day pre-Orientation programo Incorporating of first year and sophomore experience

History

2011-2012 ProgrammingOrientation Week:

Academics: “Authentic” classes, with pre/debriefCollege Resources: Workshops with variety of college offices and staffPersonal Growth: Scaffolded workshops focused on greater self-awareness

Academic Year:Social Events (Dinners, “Inside Scoop” Event)Ongoing Workshops (eg Major Selection, Off-term Planning, Financial Literacy)Enrichment activities (eg, Learn to Ski, Cooking, Canoeing)

Program Structure

Among Undergraduates

• 115 students in the pre-orientation program• 34 first-year FYSEP students• 34 peer mentors (juniors and seniors)• 8 Pre-orientation facilitators (FYSEP sophomores)• 24 first-year members of the Native Leadership Institute attend class• 15 first-year athletes attend class

• 95 students in the year-long program• 34 first-year FYSEP students• 34 peer mentors (juniors and seniors)• 27 sophomore FYSEP students

Collaboration

With Faculty and Staff• Professors from Government, Economics, English, Psychology, Mathematics, Chemistry,

Biology, and Native American Studies- Authentic preparation for college academics- Overlap with Year-Long Faculty Advisors- Interdepartmental Communication- Personal Enrichment for Faculty Members- Pedagogy: Balancing Aspiration and Likely Reality- Compensation and Tenure-Track/Non-Tenure Track

• Administrators from Advising Deans, Library, Academic Skills Center, Office of Pluralism and Leadership, Career Services, Counselling, Writing Center, Financial Aid, Computing Services, Institutional Diversity and Equity

- Wide-ranging introduction to campus resources- Need for Triage in What is Most Important, When- Balancing Workshop Objectives with Colleague’s Strengths/Weaknesses

Collaboration

With Other Campus Programs

• Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth Program and other Mentoring Programs• Native Leadership Institute, International Student Orientation, First Generation

Network• Balance with Orientation Program for All First Year Students

Collaboration

With Other Colleges/Universities

• Institutions similar to Dartmouth

• Institutions with historically different missions

• NPEA

Collaboration

Program Outcomes• Student reported an increased knowledge of faculty/staff and campus

resources. They were able to name resources such as RWIT, Academic Skills and the Tutor Clearinghouse

• The top self-reported lessons learned during pre-orientation program were: time management, how to utilize resources, the value of getting to know faculty

• Participants reported feeling more confident in their abilities and more prepared after the five-day program.

• Increased Network/Community of students, staff and faculty• Student repeatedly used their resources when they had difficulty and

were able to navigate a wide variety of obstacles. • Understanding of how to be an active learner and increased self-

motivation

First Year Student Enrichment Program

Questions & Discussion