Using an Academic Enhancement Program Using an Academic Enhancement Program to Retain Academically At-Risk Students at to Retain Academically At-Risk Students at

a Moderately Selective Public Four-Year a Moderately Selective Public Four-Year Institution in Southeast MissouriInstitution in Southeast Missouri

Melanie Thompson, Ed.S., LPC, NCCMelanie Thompson, Ed.S., LPC, NCCDirector, Learning Assistance Programs Director, Learning Assistance Programs

& Disability Support Services& Disability Support Services

Trent Ball, MATrent Ball, MAAssociate Dean of StudentsAssociate Dean of Students

L. Randy Carter, Ed.D.L. Randy Carter, Ed.D.Assistant Dean of Students, Student ConductAssistant Dean of Students, Student Conduct

Southeast Missouri State UniversitySoutheast Missouri State University

222

Academic Enhancement Program (AEP)Academic Enhancement Program (AEP)

An overview of the development and An overview of the development and administration of the program and successful administration of the program and successful collaborations collaborations

A specific discussion of the core components and A specific discussion of the core components and day-to-day operations of the program day-to-day operations of the program

A comprehensive examination of the successes A comprehensive examination of the successes and challenges of an integrated retention model and challenges of an integrated retention model

across service areas and support systemsacross service areas and support systems

33

Description of AEP

The Academic Enhancement Program provides highly structured academic support for students that are academically at-risk and directly connects first-year students to the University’s academic support services to assist in the development of a plan for academic success.

44

Development of AEPDevelopment of AEP University Academy / Minority Peer Academic University Academy / Minority Peer Academic

Coaching (MPAC)Coaching (MPAC) Enrollment challenges in Fall 2005Enrollment challenges in Fall 2005 Submitted Title III Grant in Spring 2006Submitted Title III Grant in Spring 2006 Target services for at-risk populations within the Target services for at-risk populations within the

Coordinating Board of Higher Education’s (CBHE) Coordinating Board of Higher Education’s (CBHE) Admissions range (10%)Admissions range (10%)

Creation of Academic Support Centers (ASCs): Creation of Academic Support Centers (ASCs): Educational Access Programs, Learning Educational Access Programs, Learning Assistance Programs & Disability Support Assistance Programs & Disability Support Services, McNair Scholars Program and Student Services, McNair Scholars Program and Student Support ServicesSupport Services

4

55

Administration of AEPAdministration of AEP Role of the Associate Dean of StudentsRole of the Associate Dean of Students Role of the Director of LAP & DSSRole of the Director of LAP & DSS Role of the Director of Enrollment Role of the Director of Enrollment

ManagementManagement Role of Collaborators:Role of Collaborators:

– Office of Student ConductOffice of Student Conduct– AthleticsAthletics– Office of Residential LifeOffice of Residential Life– Academic AdvisorsAcademic Advisors– AdmissionsAdmissions– RegistrarRegistrar

5

66

Core Components of AEPCore Components of AEP Targeted students with below 2.5 HS GPA and Targeted students with below 2.5 HS GPA and

below 21 ACT (CBHE 10%)below 21 ACT (CBHE 10%) Agreement signed with Admissions, again at Agreement signed with Admissions, again at

Orientation and reviewed again prior to start of Orientation and reviewed again prior to start of schoolschool

Staffed through 3 programs (ASCs)Staffed through 3 programs (ASCs)– Shared College Success Plans (CSPs) and SeminarsShared College Success Plans (CSPs) and Seminars– Services available in multiple locationsServices available in multiple locations

Intrusive, multiple meetingsIntrusive, multiple meetings Examples of agreement and CSP followExamples of agreement and CSP follow

6

777

ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM 2007 FALL SEMESTER

Agreement I understand that I have been admitted to Southeast Missouri State University through the Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) and I am eligible to enroll as a full time student taking 12 credits for the Fall 2007 semester. I understand that I must successfully complete the requirements listed below to remain fully admitted to Southeast Missouri State University. As such, I agree to: attend a First STEP orientation program prior to the beginning of the Fall 2007 semester participate in the mandatory AEP meeting scheduled during First STEP participate in the mandatory AEP meeting scheduled on August 18th enroll in and complete 12 hours earn a GPA of 2.5 or higher earn a minimum grade of C in each of my courses attend and participate actively in all aspects of the AEP including weekly meetings with the AEP staff during

the first eight weeks of the Fall 2007 semester and periodic meetings with the AEP staff during the last eight weeks of the Fall 2007 semester

develop an individualized education plan with my AEP staff consult with my AEP staff prior to making any changes to my class schedule and/or my declared major meet with my academic advisor to select Spring 2008 semester courses remain in good academic and disciplinary standing with Southeast, including the University’s Code of Student

Conduct If the above requirements are not met, I acknowledge that I will be required to participate in the AEP program during the Spring 2008 semester. I also acknowledge that if I earn less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA or fail to pass 24 credit hours by the end of the Spring 2008 semester, I will not be allowed to return to the University. I hereby authorize the faculty/staff of Southeast Missouri State University to release to the Academic Enhancement Program any pertinent information related to my academic progress from August 2007 through May 2008. Discussion topics may include, but are not limited to, my participation in class; class attendance; quality and timeliness of my assignments; and, performance on tests and written assignments. Additionally, I give my permission to AEP staff to discuss my participation in the AEP with my parent(s) or legal guardian.

888

Academic Enhancement Program COLLEGE SUCCESS PLAN

The College Success Plan (CSP) is designed to enhance your academic performance this semester by establishing an academic goal and developing a plan to achieve that goal. The CSP is a required agreement between you and your AEP coach. In order to remain in good standing with the AEP, you will be required to complete the agreed upon activities listed below. Completing the requirements listed below is essential to completing your CSP and satisfying a requirement of AEP. Record the dates that you complete each requirement listed below. Attendance at your scheduled appointments is mandatory and is essential for staying in good standing within AEP. Semester Goals: _______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scheduled Requirements Date Completed/Attended Week 1: Attend orientation

Week 2: Sign CSP, review CSS schedule (must attend at least 6 seminars during fall semester)

Week 3: Review syllabi and day-planner

Week 4: Review LASSI

Week 5: Review collegiate expectations (i.e. class, residential, judicial) Review coursework and current grades

Week 6: Review coursework and current grades

Week 9: Complete 8 week grade check

Week 11: Academic update

Week 13: Academic update

Week 15: AEP Review and academic standing

99

College Success SeminarsCollege Success Seminars

Socially SpeakingSocially Speaking Communicating with FacultyCommunicating with Faculty Classroom EtiquetteClassroom Etiquette Preparing for 8 Week GradesPreparing for 8 Week Grades Academic Review and RecoveryAcademic Review and Recovery Healthy RelationshipsHealthy Relationships Navigating the System (Advocating)Navigating the System (Advocating) Understanding AdvisingUnderstanding Advising Sense and CivilitySense and Civility

9

1010

Day to Day OperationsDay to Day Operations

Shared “contact form” delivered to one Shared “contact form” delivered to one office for data entryoffice for data entry

Staffed by three programs in three Staffed by three programs in three locationslocations

Interaction with students via face-to-face, Interaction with students via face-to-face, e-mail, and phone e-mail, and phone

Professional staff liaisons' with Professional staff liaisons' with Collaborative OfficesCollaborative Offices

10

1111

Collaborations Across CampusCollaborations Across Campus

Office of Residential LifeOffice of Residential Life– Space for meetings and college success seminarsSpace for meetings and college success seminars

Office of AdmissionsOffice of Admissions– Initial entry into program and assistance with “holds”Initial entry into program and assistance with “holds”

Academic Advisors / RegistrarAcademic Advisors / Registrar– Assistance with “holds,” schedules, majorsAssistance with “holds,” schedules, majors

AthleticsAthletics– Tracking of student athletes within AEPTracking of student athletes within AEP

Office of Student ConductOffice of Student Conduct– Proactively involved, as follows…Proactively involved, as follows…

11

121212

Office of Student ConductOffice of Student Conduct

Collaborations impacting AEPCollaborations impacting AEP

Outreach efforts in association with LAP & Outreach efforts in association with LAP & DSSDSS

Disciplinary referrals and reverse referralsDisciplinary referrals and reverse referrals

Anticipated versus actual numbersAnticipated versus actual numbers

131313

OSC Collaborations Impacting AEPOSC Collaborations Impacting AEP Dean of StudentsDean of Students Learning Assistance ProgramsLearning Assistance Programs Educational Access ProgramsEducational Access Programs Student Support ServicesStudent Support Services Department of Public Safety (DPS)Department of Public Safety (DPS) Southeast AthleticsSoutheast Athletics VICTORY ProgramVICTORY Program Office of Residence LifeOffice of Residence Life RegistrarRegistrar AdmissionsAdmissions

141414

OSC Outreach for AEPOSC Outreach for AEP

Code of Conduct highlights for AEP StaffCode of Conduct highlights for AEP Staff Sense and Civility Workshop highlightsSense and Civility Workshop highlights

– Examines life in and out of the classroomExamines life in and out of the classroom– Face-to-face and onlineFace-to-face and online

Three key componentsThree key components– Overview of the Code of ConductOverview of the Code of Conduct– Top Ten List for staying out of the OSCTop Ten List for staying out of the OSC– Information on sexual misconduct and Information on sexual misconduct and

relationship violencerelationship violence

151515

OSC Referrals and Reverse OSC Referrals and Reverse ReferralsReferrals

AEP Staff, DPS, Office of Residence Life, AEP Staff, DPS, Office of Residence Life, and Southeast faculty members submitted and Southeast faculty members submitted referralsreferrals

OSC uses educational approach—goal is to OSC uses educational approach—goal is to keep student enrolledkeep student enrolled

OSC referred students back to their AEP OSC referred students back to their AEP contact person (reverse referral)contact person (reverse referral)

Open communication loopOpen communication loop

161616

Anticipated Versus Actual Anticipated Versus Actual NumbersNumbers

Examined pilot group of students prior to 2007-Examined pilot group of students prior to 2007-2008 (89 students from MPAC)2008 (89 students from MPAC)

Anticipated seeing 25% of AEP students Anticipated seeing 25% of AEP students 22 / 111 or 19.8% of AEP Students22 / 111 or 19.8% of AEP Students 31 / 276 or 8.9% of all cases31 / 276 or 8.9% of all cases Types of violations / sanctionsTypes of violations / sanctions Average GPA for students referred to our office Average GPA for students referred to our office

was 1.57was 1.57 Challenges working with this groupChallenges working with this group

– ImmaturityImmaturity– PreparednessPreparedness– Community College comparisonCommunity College comparison

1717

Fall OutcomesFall Outcomes

111 students started AEP in fall 2007111 students started AEP in fall 2007 5 / 111 (4%) withdrew during semester; 4 5 / 111 (4%) withdrew during semester; 4

received or faced judicial sanctionsreceived or faced judicial sanctions 106 / 111 (96%) of initial students still in 106 / 111 (96%) of initial students still in

attendance at end of fall semesterattendance at end of fall semester 38 / 106 (36%) below 2.00 GPA at end of fall 38 / 106 (36%) below 2.00 GPA at end of fall

semestersemester 68 / 106 (64%) at or above 2.00 GPA68 / 106 (64%) at or above 2.00 GPA 25 / 106 (24%) matriculated out of AEP at end of 25 / 106 (24%) matriculated out of AEP at end of

fallfall

17

1818

Fall to SpringFall to Spring

13 / 106 (12%) students elected not to 13 / 106 (12%) students elected not to return for the spring semesterreturn for the spring semester

1 / 13 (7%) had successfully completed fall 1 / 13 (7%) had successfully completed fall requirementsrequirements

93 / 106 (88%) started the spring 93 / 106 (88%) started the spring semestersemester

24 / 93 (26%) completed fall AEP 24 / 93 (26%) completed fall AEP requirementsrequirements

69 / 93 (74%) had spring AEP 69 / 93 (74%) had spring AEP requirementsrequirements

1919

Spring OutcomesSpring Outcomes

4 / 93 (4%) withdrew during semester4 / 93 (4%) withdrew during semester 89 / 93 (96%) completed spring semester89 / 93 (96%) completed spring semester Of 89 students, 65 had spring AEP Of 89 students, 65 had spring AEP

requirementsrequirements– 19 / 65 (29%) met AEP requirements (2.00 GPA & 24 19 / 65 (29%) met AEP requirements (2.00 GPA & 24

credit hours)credit hours)– 16 / 65 (25%) met University requirements (2.00 GPA 16 / 65 (25%) met University requirements (2.00 GPA

& 18 credit hours)& 18 credit hours)– 12 / 65 (18%) eligible to return on Academic 12 / 65 (18%) eligible to return on Academic

probationprobation– 18 / 65 (28%) academically suspended but eligible 18 / 65 (28%) academically suspended but eligible

for readmission through University appeal for readmission through University appeal

2020

End of Year OutcomesEnd of Year Outcomes 9 / 111 (8%) of original students withdrew; 9 / 111 (8%) of original students withdrew;

eligible to returneligible to return 13 / 111 (12%) of original students elected to 13 / 111 (12%) of original students elected to

transfer; eligible to returntransfer; eligible to return 89 / 111 (80%) of original students completed 89 / 111 (80%) of original students completed

academic yearacademic year– 38 / 89 (43%) completed AEP requirements38 / 89 (43%) completed AEP requirements– 57 / 89 (64%) completed University requirements57 / 89 (64%) completed University requirements– 19 / 89 (21%) completed both requirements19 / 89 (21%) completed both requirements– 33 / 65 (51%) sought an AEP appeal to continue with 33 / 65 (51%) sought an AEP appeal to continue with

voluntary AEP assistance in the Fall 2008voluntary AEP assistance in the Fall 2008

2121

Administrative Successes and Administrative Successes and ChallengesChallenges

Presently 65 / 89 (73%) of students returning in Presently 65 / 89 (73%) of students returning in the fallthe fall

Assisted the institution in identifying an area of Assisted the institution in identifying an area of academic difficulty and commit to addressing the academic difficulty and commit to addressing the issue (developmental math)issue (developmental math)

Entrance into the program through Admissions, Entrance into the program through Admissions, but provision of service through ASCsbut provision of service through ASCs

AEP students are exceptions to the Admission AEP students are exceptions to the Admission criteria; not provisional/conditional admitscriteria; not provisional/conditional admits

The continuation of AEP and its format is an The continuation of AEP and its format is an ongoing discussionongoing discussion

2222

Programmatic Successes and Programmatic Successes and ChallengesChallenges

The collaboration of three separate entities The collaboration of three separate entities (EAP/SSS/LAP & DSS) to work together under the (EAP/SSS/LAP & DSS) to work together under the umbrella of Academic Support Centersumbrella of Academic Support Centers

Students did not “slip through the cracks”Students did not “slip through the cracks” Getting students connected early to services (i.e. Getting students connected early to services (i.e.

Students with Disabilities)Students with Disabilities) Workshops online and in personWorkshops online and in person Structuring the AEP requirements within Structuring the AEP requirements within

University requirementsUniversity requirements

2323

Collaborative Successes and Collaborative Successes and ChallengesChallenges

The program supported collaboration among The program supported collaboration among various areas across divisionsvarious areas across divisions

Getting students engaged Getting students engaged – Limited workshop involvementLimited workshop involvement– Missing appointmentsMissing appointments– Not reading agreementsNot reading agreements

Getting offices outside of ASCs “on-board” (i.e. Getting offices outside of ASCs “on-board” (i.e. academic advisors)academic advisors)

Maintaining consistency in dataMaintaining consistency in data– Consistency of data from office to office and various Consistency of data from office to office and various

entities outside of ASCsentities outside of ASCs

242424

Academic Enhancement ProgramAcademic Enhancement Program

AEP website access: AEP website access: http://www6.semo.edu/lapdss/

Contact information:Contact information:– Trent Ball: tball@semo.eduTrent Ball: tball@semo.edu– Melanie Thompson: mvthompson@semo.eduMelanie Thompson: mvthompson@semo.edu– Randy Carter: lrcarter@semo.eduRandy Carter: lrcarter@semo.edu– Office of Student Development Office of Student Development

(573) 651-2263 (573) 651-2263

2525

Information Packet

Brochure

Suggested readings/resources

Frequently asked questions Code of Student Conduct

AEP forms for 2007 and 2008– Contracts– Contact forms

262626

Academic Enhancement ProgramAcademic Enhancement Program

Questions and discussion?Questions and discussion?

Thank you for your attendance and Thank you for your attendance and participation!participation!