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The First Year College at NC State University: Twelve Years of Academic Success!

The First Year College at NC State University: Twelve Years of Academic Success!. Overview. Demographics Historical Perspective Assessment Advising Model Curriculum FYC Village Successes Challenges Vision for the Future Questions?. First Year College. About First Year College.

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The First Year College at NC State University: Twelve Years of Academic Success!

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  1. The First Year College at NC State University: Twelve Years of Academic Success!

  2. Overview • Demographics • Historical Perspective • Assessment • Advising Model • Curriculum • FYC Village • Successes • Challenges • Vision for the Future • Questions? First Year College

  3. About First Year College • Located within the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs. • One of 10 “colleges” at NCSU. • 720 first-year students in 2007. • 47% female, 15% minority, and 94% In-state. • 1168 Avg. SAT, 3.98 HS GPA.

  4. In retrospect..How FYC Began • Opened its doors in the summer of ‘95. • Combined resources from 3 existing programs: UUC, UTP, & FYE. • Hired new Director and 4 academic advisers. • All advisers in residence hall by 3rd year. • Emerged into FYC Village. • Admitted 650-875 students annually.

  5. FYC Staff • 1 Director • 1 Associate Director /Academic Adviser • 4 Assistant Directors / Academic Advisers • 9 Academic Advisers • 3 Administrative Support Staff • 1 Graduate Student Intern • 5-8 Work-study/temporary student employees First Year College

  6. FYC Mission Statement The mission of the First Year College at NC State University is to guide students through a structured process for transition to the University and selection of a major. This is accomplished through one- on-one advising, teaching and experiential learning, the FYC Village, emphasizing theoretical and practical methods of inquiry, guided reflection, engagement, assessment and analysis. Through this process students will gain the foundation for acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become self-reliant and productive citizens of an increasingly diverse community. First Year College

  7. Assessment Structure • Continuously evolving and growing process. • Outcomes-based model • Assistant Director for Assessment. • Assessment Committee.

  8. Assessment • Student Learning and Development • Are students learning and practicing strategies for academic success? • Do they understand career decision making process and can they apply this? • Are they more decided as to major/career after one year? • Do they choose majors that fit their interests, aptitudes, values, and career goals? • Academic Advising • Are students satisfied with their FYC advising experience? First Year College

  9. Assessment • Teaching • Do our instructors employ effective strategies in the classroom? • Programming • How are student retention, satisfaction, campus- involvement, and academic success impacted by our programs? First Year College

  10. Developmental Academic Advising(as defined by NACADA) • App. 60 first-year advisees per adviser each year • Adviser teaches his/her advisees in USC course (Freshman Advancement Seminar). • Required meetings outside of class (initial & registration advising appts.) • Advisers housed in the new FYC Commons Building • Cross curricula • GERs (no extra college time) First Year College

  11. Developmental Advising (Cont’d) • College liaisons • Training • START Teams and professional development • Academic + Career (in one resource)

  12. Assessment: What We’ve Learned • Academic Advising -Exceptionally High satisfaction level (ACT) -78% report that the advising system is “more than adequate” or “exceptional” in meeting students needs…40% national average -72% report meeting with adviser 4 or more times during the year…24% national average -100% of aggregate student responses on ACT were higher than the national average.

  13. Curriculum:USC 101/102A • One hour: two-semester required course: Intro to University Education 1 & 2 • Four major themes: Transition, Academic Success, Self Exploration, and Major/Career Development. • THE Workbook and Summer Reading • Curriculum and Career Directions Committees • Emphasis on and use of technology • Co-curricular requirements First Year College

  14. Assessment: What we’ve learned • Teaching • Student evaluations positive overall (course evaluations) Spring 2005 * Course value and content: 3.907/5 was avg. response * Meeting course objectives: all items measured avg. between 3.954 & 4.374 * Instructor ratings: 4.536/ 5 average response

  15. The FYC Village • Established 2001 • Students in Tucker & Owen Residence Halls • Partnership with University Housing • “Linked” GER courses with NCSU/FYI faculty • 10 Resident Mentors (RM’s) employed • FYC Village Advisory Council • Assessment plan First Year College

  16. Assessment: What We’ve learned… • The FYC Village - From 2002-2007, students living in the FYC village have academically outperformed those not in the FYC village -more likely to be involved in other campus activities -Articulate a commitment to promoting and appreciating diversity

  17. Assessment: What We’ve learned • Student Learning and Development • FYC Students performed as well or better than comparison group in GPA, retention, and graduation rates (yearly assessment reports) • Students have good understanding of most aspects of the career development model (final exam). First Year College

  18. Assessment: What We’ve learned • Students become more decided about a major after 1 year (CDP) • FYC students have “changed” majors significantly less than cohort group every year. (5 year & yearly assessment reports) • Students perform better when enrolled in 15+ hours/semester (2004 implementation)

  19. Requirements • Must take at least 15 credit hours • Students who live on-campus must live in FYC Village • No transfers into FYC, just incoming

  20. Successes and Accomplishments External (cont.) • One of 18 institutions selected to participate in the Boyer Partnership Assessment Project (BPAP) 2003-2005 • THE Workbook recognized by NACADA as outstanding general advising publication (2001) • FYC Career Development Model featured in latest NRC on FYE Monograph First Year College

  21. Successes and Accomplishments External (cont’d) • Several (6) advisers individually recognized by NACADA • Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Advising Program (2006) • One staff member recognized as outstanding first-year student advocate by NRC on FYE (2004)

  22. Successes & Accomplishments (External) • Recognized by the Templeton Foundation in 2001 as one of 60 exemplary first-year programs • One of 25 programs profiled in the monograph "Strengthening First-Year Student Learning at Doctoral/Research-Extensive Universities" published in 2002 by the Policy Center on the First Year of College • FYC was the focal point for a three-page article in USA Today (2002) on students attending a large research university in an urban setting. We were described as a model for aiding in student adjustment to university life • Featured as an exemplary advising programs in NACADA’s Advising Special Populations Monograph (2007) First Year College

  23. Successes and AccomplishmentsInternal • University Recognition. • Student Satisfaction & preparedness. • Stronger partnerships. • Demand for services to campus (training). • Administrative commitment. • Funding Allocation • Space allocation.

  24. Challenges • Outdated faculty perceptions • Intracampus transfer requirements. • “Second-choice” students • Student tenure in program (to stay or not to stay) • Change management/staff development • Staff retention (good people are hard to keep) • $$$…Always need more

  25. The next 10 years... • Continued participation in all relevant university committees • Continued research and publication about the program and students • Develop and strengthen partnerships at N.C. State…and with other educational entities (K-12 and Community College) • Continue to promote our program & accomplishments at the national level First Year College

  26. The next 10 years... • Join The Policy Center & National Resource Center in promoting foundations of excellence and educating others (internally & externally) as to the uniqueness and importance of the first-year of college. • Continue to be assessment driven in our efforts to maintain and/or improve the quality of the college “experience” for FYC students • Diversity development/education First Year College

  27. The next 10 years • Commitment to change management that drives staff development • Seek alternative funding strategies • Participate actively in conducting and publishing research about the program and college students • Enjoy our our new home!

  28. Questions? • Website: http://www.ncsu.edu/fyc First Year College

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