|
First Scholars 2.0
| |
Over the past eight months, the Suder Foundation staff and board engaged in strategic discussions about First Scholars and the four-year student experience. The result of those discussion is First Scholars 2.0! This framework solidifies the scholars' programming sequence to address key transition points for first generation students. In addition, it focuses on scholars' development in the areas of self-awareness, success and career, and significance and community while expanding the mentoring component.
To learn more, view our recent webinar.
|
| Spring 2012 Program Coordinator Institute | |
Our first annual Program Coordinator Institute brought Jessica Franks, The University of Alabama; Christina Gilroy, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Shea Houze, The University of Memphis; Martina Martin, University of Kentucky, and Alicia Castillo Shrestha, Washington State University to Dallas in April. During the intensive three-day professional development training, the coordinators reviewed strategies to successfully implement First Scholars on their campuses.
Wade Leuwerke, Ph.D., the foundation's data consultant from CECS, joined the group for a one-day primer and discussion on data collection efforts for the First Scholars program.
While the coordinators worked hard during the sessions, time for fun was included! Eric and Deb Suder hosted a reception for the group at their home to strengthen relationships and encourage connections among the network members and the foundation staff.
|
| Early Results from Spring 2012 | |
CECS provides ongoing, systematic program evaluation of the First Scholars program at the three campuses with active programs: University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, and Southern Illinois University. Academic success and persistence in college are the primary outcome measures of college success.
First Scholars across the three universities are demonstrating strong performance on both of these measures. The average grade point average (GPA) across all Scholar cohorts was 3.16, demonstrating that Scholars are outperforming the general student body which had an average GPA of 2.77 the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Examining retention data, at the conclusion of the spring 2012 semester 77 out of 83 First Scholars were enrolled across the three institutions, a projected 92.77% retention rate. This compares quite favorably with the historic retention rate for these three universities of 77.76%.
|
| Best Practices - Summer Parent Session at UK | 
Martina Martin, University of Kentucky First Scholars Program Coordinator, shares a best practice from her recent Summer Advising Conference:
"In preparing to welcome our latest additions to the First Scholars family, we felt the need to reach out, not only to the students, but their parents and guardians as well. To do this, First Scholars at the University of Kentucky took the opportunity to secure a time and location during Day 1 of the University's Summer Advising Conference (SAC), in which 16 of the incoming scholars were registered to attend, to host a special parent /guardian information session. The one hour long session coincided with a series of workshops the students were required to attend and allowed for families' participation without conflicts. This session was held in addition to the First Scholars welcome reception and a luncheon on Day 2 of their SAC.
The purpose of this informational session was to allow the family members to meet the Program Coordinator, the First Generation Living Learning Community Coordinator and the Director of First Generation Initiatives. The informal setting helped ease the fears of the parents/guardians as we shared more about who we were and our roles in working with and supporting their students through First Scholars. Time also allowed for the family members in attendance to openly express concerns, which their student may find embarrassing, related to financial aid, housing, scholarship requirements and adjusting to college life. Once introductions were completed and questions were answered the family members were given the chance to share a little background information and/or quirks about their scholars to help us better understand and work with their students."
|
|
Retention/Satisfaction Survey
| |
Each spring, CECS also conducts a survey of First Scholars at institutions with active programs. This survey includes general questions about scholars' college experience and plans as well as specific questions about the First Scholars program components, the program coordinator, mentors, and the impact on scholars' college experience. Ninety-one percent of scholars indicate that they plan to return to their university for the Fall 2012 semester and the same number expect to earn a bachelor's degree.
Scholars report that finances and working are the biggest barriers to their success while family and their organizational skills are their largest supports as a college student. Eighty-seven percent of Scholars are satisfied or completely satisfied with the program.
Scholars' comments about the program included reports that "The First Scholars program is a HUGE support network" and "I LOVE FIRST SCHOLARS! This has been the best time ever. I would not be where I am today without the family bond I have gotten from First Scholars".
Scholars find that meeting regularly with their Program Coordinator is the most helpful aspect of the First Scholars program and that the Coordinators' ability to create a sense of community among scholars is the Coordinators greatest impact. Scholars appreciate their mentors, especially their ability to answer questions about campus life. When asked about how the program impacts their success as a college student, First Scholars reported that the most important benefits of the program are the financial assistance they receive and that the program keeps them committed to graduating from college.
|
| Stay tuned... |
We're looking forward to the fall when The University of Memphis and Washington State University programs officially transition from the planning to operating phase as they welcome their scholar cohorts!
As a result of First Scholars 2.0, the foundation staff is expanding. We're adding a Program Development Manager to further develop and refine the four-year programming sequence. We're also looking for a National Program Manager to work with campus Program Coordinators. If you're interested in joining our team, learn more here.
Executive Director
The Suder Foundation
|
|
|
|
|
|
About the First Scholars program
| |
First Scholars addresses the challenges first generation college students may face during their college experience. Our program provides scholars with personalized support designed to connect them to their campus, optimize their college experience, expand career and community engagement opportunities, and guide their transition to the future.
|
|
|
