study abroad for the 99%: how do we create equal access? heather barclay hamir, ph.d. the university...
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STUDY ABROAD FOR THE 99%: HOW DO WE CREATE
EQUAL ACCESS?
Heather Barclay Hamir, Ph.D.The University of Texas at Austin
Changing US Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, Tables P1 and P2.
Higher Education in Texas
Hispanic students are projected to be the largest college-going population in Texas by 2040 (50.9%)
H.B. 588 (“The Top 10% Law”) shapes university admissions
Current political debates: Affordability of higher education Faculty productivity (research v. teaching) Four-year graduation rates
The University of Texas at Austin 51,000 students; 39,000 undergraduates
Admitted first majority-minority entering cohort in 2010
Demand for admission to UT led to restructuring of Top 10% Law in 2010
Four-year graduation rate: 51% (80% in six years)
Study Abroad at UT Austin
5th largest study abroad program in the US (2,284 abroad in 2009-2010)
Goal: equal access to study abroad for UT students
Underrepresented Groups
On-campus Abroad
Science majors 25% 8%
First-generation-in-college
23% 9%
Racial/ethnic minorities 48% 39%
Men 48% 42%
First-Gen Student Characteristics “First-gen” refers to students whose
parents have not graduated from college (federal definition)
First-gen student characteristics at UT: Racially/ethnically diverse population Lower average socio-economic background Lower persistence and graduation rates
(35.7% graduate in 4 years)
Study Abroad & Degree Completion 7,845 students in the first-time-in-
college (FTIC) cohort of 2002 13.6% of cohort studied abroad,
representing 21% of graduatesGraduated in:
Participants Average: 4.11
years
Non-Participants Average: 4.16
years
4 years or less
59.8% 45.0%
5 years or less
82.4% 69.9%
6 years or less
95.7% 75.0%
Predicted Probability of Graduating Study abroad participation did not predict:
time-to-degree graduation in 4 years
Study abroad participation did predict: graduation in 5 years (46% more likely to graduate) graduation in 6 years (185% more likely to graduate) graduation in 8 years (712% more likely to graduate)
Effect increased as GPA decreased
Yes, but….
Study abroad students: have higher GPAs (true) have higher standardized test scores (true) are more motivated, organized, etc. (maybe)
When applicants were compared to non-participants, no differences existed in predicted time-to-degree or likelihood of graduating from UT
The First Abroad Initiative
Three components: scholarships, partnerships, outreach/mentoring
Goals: Increase access to study abroad for a
diverse and underrepresented population Enable seamless integration of study
abroad into degree progress Contribute to student retention and success
at UT
First Abroad: Scholarships
1. Scholarships: address the financial barrier early = increased opportunities + better academic planning
250 scholarships over 5 years for first-gen students with financial need:
Hutchison International Scholars: scholarships awarded at admission, no application
First Abroad Scholarships: apply in first/second year of attendance, 2 academic years to use funds
First Abroad: Partnerships, Outreach2. Partnerships: collaboration to promote
early outreach to students, academic integration, and reduce financial barriers
Collaboration with UT retention programs, increased partnerships with academic departments
Funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation Add-on awards from study abroad program partners
3. Outreach and mentoring: staff and peer advisors