Strategies for Turning Undeclared Majors into STEM graduates

1. Strategies for Turning Undeclared Majors into STEM graduates Ann Blackman CTC Program Manager, Collin College Kat Balch English Professor, Collin College Julie Turnbow Math Professor, Collin College

2. Convergence Center Partners

3. It’s NOT Your Imagination …. There really are more students! October 2009: 70% of high school graduates enrolled in some form of college --------------------------------- 1987 – 1997 Higher Education enrollment increased 14% 1997 – 2007 Higher Education enrollment increased 26% http://www.chillicious.com/finance/college-student-enrollment-facts-and-figures/

4. Types of Prospective Students • Recent High School Graduate • Undeclared Major • Entry level technician • Re-careering individual • Post Baccalaureate

5. Recruiting Practices Prospective Students vs Undeclared Majors

6. Challenges and Opportunities Turning Undeclared Students Into Completers University Transfer

7. Do We Have Their Attention? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxPVyieptwA

8. Why Would A Math & English Professor be involved in the CTC? • Working Connections Impact on the Classroom • Educator Perspective • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D_nRT_JHSk&list=UUm1L_81jN7AHvF3IxcsmazA&index=2&feature=plcp • Student Perspective • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDnkCEepOHo&feature=related

9. Why Would A Math & English Professor be involved in the CTC? • Why get involved with the CTC? • How to get involved? • Advice

10. One Recruitment Event, Over and Over, Right? NO! • Recruitment MUST be a multi-faceted, focused approach. • “We’re creating quality through customization.” -Alicia Huppe, Associate Dean of Recruiting & Programs for New Students, Collin College.

11. Making Connections Focused Recruitment • Provide “just in time” information • Keep it relevant to what their interest and needs are • Show them the money • Remember - If they’re not a geek, then they know a geek

12. Making Connections Information Sessions • SHORT, INFORMAL • One stop shopping • Advisors, high school dual enrollment, internship info etc

13. Making Connections Information Sessions • Keep it interactive • Clickers (we use Turning Technologies) • Passports to stamp, games, etc. • TRY THIS! http://wiffiti.com • Let the students and alumni be your ambassadors

14. NOTE: Example of quiz game used at Info Session in place of a lecture describing value of program Is Convergence Technology... • Voice • Voice & Video • Voice, Video & Data • Voice, Video & Data on one secure network

15. NOTE: Example of quiz game used at Info Session in place of a lecture describing value of program. The average salary of Convergence Technician with an AAS degree is... • $100/year • $5/hour • $35,000-$50,000/year • More than Bill Gates will ever make!

16. Make It Hands On NOTE: Demo’s can be cheap and easy yet meaningful and engaging … students using their own cell phones to plot wireless strength based on 3 minutes of instruction.

17. Make It Hands On

18. Partners in Recruitment & Retention NOTE: Students lend your recruitment events credibility as well as more energy.

19. Partners in Recruitment & Retention NOTE: Partner a current student with a prospective student. This builds confidence in the current student and provides an additional resource for the prospective student.

20. Partners in Recruitment & Retention NOTE: Encourage the students to create demo’s they have not learned in class – We ALL have got something to learn!

21. Partners in Recruitment & Retention NOTE: Making student services like advisors, co-op program, career services etc turns a recruitment event into a recruitment AND retention event.

22. Partners in Recruitment & Retention B.A. in Information Technology • A new program from the Computer Science and Engineering Department at UNT

23. Effective Communication Tools • Online Communication • Regular contact that is CUSTOMIZED • Upcoming courses, Promote events, Faculty development • Email & Event Marketing • www.constantcontact.com • www.icontact.com • www.eventbrite.com • www.eventsbot.com • www.verticalresponse.com

24. Maintaining Connections …Be Social! Convergence Technology Center Fan Page Collin College Convergence Group GreenITCenter twitter stream LinkedIn Group: CTC - The Green IT Solution

25. Effective Communication Tools It’s not ALL online … Advisors Faculty Posters …. And chalk! … And maybe balloons! LISTEN to what others want …

26. Maintaining Connections • Declare Your Degree Day - is a hand out in class • Focus Groups - are a class visit and/or email survey • Plan TechKnowFire • Suggest “Bringing IT Together” Network Dinners • Participate in recruitment events • Take every opportunity to highlight and acknowledge student accomplishments

27. Access To Recruitment Materials www.ConnectedTech.org Choose “Educators” tab

28. In Summary • Personalize • Communication, Events, and Follow Up • Think Recruitment and Retention • Seek out partnerships • Develop a Year-Round Plan • Think in terms of both in person and online

29. REMEMBER Your Best Recruitment Tools are Your Students!

30. Want More? • Consider becoming a CTC Mentor Network College • A lead faculty member to assist • PI or grant staff as an administrative contact • Training for faculty through summer institute • Equipment list • Recruitment plans and event details

31. For more information: www.ConnectedTech.org Ann Blackman ablackman@collin.edu Julie Turnbow jturnbow@collin.edu Kat Balch kbalch@collin.edu "This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0903239. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation."