Inspiring Student Success: From At Risk to “EXCEL”

NACADA International ConferenceJune 2013

Susan Fuerbringer&

Catherine Mathweg

Marian University

•Catholic applied liberal arts institution sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes•Traditional and adult undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs•Core Values of Community, Learning, Service, Social Justice, and Spiritual Traditions

•Strengths-Based Campus, January 2011

Marian At A Glance

•Campus & Outreach Sites

•Academic Schools

•Student Enrollment

•Average Traditional Class Size

•Course Offering Format

•Student/Faculty Ratio

•Undergraduate Majors

•Gender & Ethnicity

•Degrees Awarded

•Faculty & Staff

•Governance

Academic AdvisingApproach

•Developmental Academic Advising“A systematic process based on a close student-advisor relationship intended to aid

students in achieving educational, career, and personal goals through the use of the full range of institutional and community resources.”

(Winston, Miller, Ender & Grites 1984)

•Intrusive Academic Advising“Intrusive advisement is based on the philosophy that the counselor and the

student share responsibility for academic success or failure.”(Connell, 2003)

Delivery Models

•Faculty – School of Arts & Sciences

•Professional Staff – School of Nursing & Health Professions

•Split Model – School of Business & Public Safety AND School of Education

Academic Advising Syllabus

•Academic Advising Mission Statement/Purpose

•Responsibilities of the Academic Advisor

•Responsibilities of the Student

•Additional Resources Recommended

•Academic Advising Calendar

•Objectives and Expected Student Outcomes of Advising Relationship

EXCEL Program Mission Statement

The EXCEL Program offers opportunities and support services for provisional students to

develop and demonstrate their ability to become self-advocates and successful

students in a learning environment that promotes development of language,

mathematics, and critical thinking skills.

Program History

•Established in 1997

•For students who did not meet admission criteria an opportunity to pursue higher education

•Program Criteria

•Curriculum Developed

Program History - Grant

•Anonymous grant donor in 1999-2000 - $900,000

•Grant funding Ended 2003-2004

•Coordinator position integrated into the university

•Rollover funding 2004-2005 to 2005-2006

•Rollover funding 2005-2006 (small amount) to 2006-2007

•Last report to donor 2012-2013

Admission CriteriaInstitutional Admission Criteria

Students must meet a minimum of two of the following three criteria to be admitted to the university:

•ACT composite score 18 or above•top 50% class in rank•2.00 high school GPA

EXCEL Admission CriteriaStudents who are eligible for consideration into the EXCEL Program:

•Meet one of the three traditional admission criteria •Show potential for academic success through an interview

Admission Process

•Identify

•Invite

•Interview

•Listen

•Determine Eligibility

•Recommendation

Program AgreementPurpose

To set clear expectations and guidelines for each student within a specific timeframe

To emphasize the EXCEL Program partnership between student and university working toward same goal

Academic Success

To give the student an opportunity to pursue a college degree which they may have been denied at

another institution

Program Agreement Criteria

•Meet bi-weekly with the EXCEL Academic Advisor

•Referrals made to Academic Services & other resources

•Individual study plan developed with each student

•Must attend Summer Bridge Experience

•Must earn minimum cumulative of a 2.00 GPA and 24 credits

Summer Bridge Program

•Implemented in 2002-2003

•Provides students with academic success workshops and activities to assist in their transition which are planned and facilitated by faculty and staff students will interact with during their first year

•Goals and Outcomes

Summer Bridge Program

Curriculum

•Focuses on the University’s Liberal Arts Core Curriculum•Initially designated EXCEL course sections & faculty training•1999-2000 – Philosophy and Values course mainstreamed•2001-2002 – Mainstreamed students & blended course sections•2003-2004 – Elective course option•2005-2006 – Implementation of on-line registration •2006-2007 – Implementation of First Year Experience Program •2007-2008 – Implementation of new Liberal Arts Core Curriculum

Liberal Arts Core Curriculum

•First Year Studies Course 3 credits•Studies of:

-Applied Liberal Arts 9 credits-Humanities & the Arts 12 credits-Natural Sciences & Mathematics 10 credits-Social Sciences 9 credits-Theology 6 credits

Resources•Academic Services ▪Math ▪Nursing ▪Reading ▪Science ▪Writing •Career Services•Disability Services•Early Warning System•Electronic Notification of Class Schedule Change •Financial Literacy•Study Skill Assistance•Textbook Library •Tutor Program

Program CompletionAfter completion of two semesters:

•YESStudent officially declares a major

•NOStudent dismissed from the university

•Mitigating CircumstancesLearning Contract offered

Program Success

•Program success is not only defined by retention of students

•The goal and intent is to give students an opportunity.

Where Are They Now?568 students have participated in the EXCEL Program since 1997

(303 – 1st yr. / 168 eligible / 97 dismissed)

School of Arts & Sciences☼Marian – Communication; human resource specialist☼Mohammed – Communication; director of multicultural education ☼Eric – Art Education; owner and co-founder of two small businesses

School of Business & Public Safety☼Kari – Business; serves as a benefits specialist☼Joanne – Finance & M.S. in Counseling; business analyst☼Megan – Management; merchandising assistant☼John – Criminal Justice; police officer☼Amy – Criminal Justice; corrections officer

School of Education☼Laura – Early Childhood/Elementary Education; teaching 2nd grade☼Paul – Education; pursuing Ph.D. in Educational Leadership☼Sherry – Elementary Education & M.S. in Education Technology; computer teacher☼Patrick – Elementary Education; teaching 5th grade

School of Nursing & Health Professions☼Cassandra – Nursing; hospital setting☼Nicole – Radiologic Technology; x-ray technician☼Amy – Social Work; practicing Social Worker focusing on the youth☼Sarah – Social Work; Funeral Director☼ Jennifer – Social Work; completing M.S.W.

Changes 2013-2014

New type of student who meets the regular admission criteria and would benefit from aspects of the EXCEL Program

Undeclared Success Program• Undeclared major

• Invited to participate in Summer Bridge Program

Thank You&

Questionssrfuerbringer74@marianuniversity.edu

cmathweg@marianuniversity.edu