Enhancing Student Leadership: Transfer Council’s Innovative Programming Model for Transfer Student Success

2. Enhancing Student Leadership: Transfer Council’s Innovative Programming Model for Transfer Student Success Presented by: Scott Fogleman Haley Hamam

3. Meet the Presenters • Scott Fogleman • Director of Transfer Council • Senior, B.S. Marketing • Haley Hamam • Associate Director of Transfer Council • Junior, B.A. Political Science

4. Today’s Program Clemson University • Background • Numbers • Transfer Population • Undergraduate Student Government • An Overview and Our Role • Transfer Council • Our Structure: Then and Now • Supporting Academics • Accomplishments • Implementation on Your Campus • Questions and Comments

5. Clemson University: A Brief History • Land-grant institution founded in 1889 through the will of Thomas Green Clemson • Clemson offers over 300 organizations for students • Our core values are: • honestly • integrity • respect • Clemson believes in academic excellence and providing student’s with a social atmosphere conducive to higher learning

6. Clemson: Our Town • Clemson University is located in the upstate of South Carolina at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the shores of Lake Hartwell • Clemson is set in a small college town that attracts students looking for a strong sense of community, school spirit and a love of winning – in academics, in athletics, and in life

7. Clemson by the Numbers • Freshman-Sophomore Retention Rate: 90.5% • Transfer Student Retention Rate: 85.8% • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1 • Number of transfer students enrolled in Fall 2009: 970 • Top Ranking in “Clemson Town-Gown Relations” by 2010 Princeton Review • 1st rated Best Value in Public Universities in South Carolina by Kiplinger’s magazine in 2009 • 2nd ranking “our happiest students” by 2010 Princeton Review • 3rd ranking our career services by 2010 Princeton Review • Ranked 22nd by US News and World Report • Ranked 27th by Business Week

8. Our Transfer Population • Transfer students represent approximately 30% of new students each academic year • Bridge to Clemson Program • In-state and Out-of-state four-year institutions • Technical colleges

9. Clemson University Student Government

10. Why Create a Transfer Council? • To provide new transfer students an outlet through student government to voice concerns and opinions • Need for a specialized Council with transfer experience to relate to new students • To provide specific programming to support the academic needs unique to transfer students

11. CUSG Transfer CouncilThe development and first year • Presented a proposal to Senate to create a Transfer Council that was modeled after the successful Freshman Council. • The Need for This Council • No student government representation for transfer students • Transfer SHOCK (example: GPA decline first semester of college) • Previous new student programs catered to freshmen, ignoring the unique needs of transfer students • The Mission of This Council • Streamline credit evaluation process • Provide monthly newsletters to students • Supplement Orientation Ambassadors with council members • Develop and implement new transfer student activities • Short and long term goals for the Council • Implement an effective mentoring program • Have a positive effect on retention rates • To facilitate a better social environment • To inspire and influence other universities to give transfer students the representative voice they need and deserve

12. CUSG Transfer Council • 30 members, each assigned a position • Subcommittees targeted a specific area: • Academic Affairs, First Week, Orientation, Communication, Activities, and Mentoring • Subcommittees limited member’s abilities and strengths Previous Structure Improved Structure • Size reduced to 25 members • Subcommittees revamped to be cross-functional • Strict attendance policy • Members given increased responsibilities • Progress has been faster and members are happier

13. Accomplishments • Voice for transfers on Clemson’s campus • Two new credit evaluators hired • Held numerous events, both social and academic • Created Transfers to Tigers Mentoring Program • Mission: Transition, part of extended orientation • Increased roles and responsibilities at transfer orientations • Collaborated successfully with University Housing to relocate “Tiger Den” to core campus

14. Mission: Transition • Mission: Transition--January 2010 • Unique program that connects new students with key resources and services at Clemson • Only academic program that is student-led • Council members are the program facilitators • Creates more interaction between students • Transfers to Tigers is introduced to students

15. Transfers to Tigers • Developed over the past three years • First active year: Fall 2009 • Approximately 350 Fall 2009 mentees • Approximately 140 Spring 2010 mentees • Relaxed, unique approach • “See what you’re missin’ from your Clemson transition!”

16. Tiger Den and “TDAB” • Transfer Council and University Housing working relationship • On-campus transfer community • Additional opportunity for student leadership • Direct source for student input to University Housing

17. Campus Impact • Volunteered for Admission’s Phone-A-Thon • Only student organization supporting ePortfolio requirement • Welcome Leaders, Orientation Ambassadors, and “small-group” leaders • Supports other student organization events • Philanthropy involvement

18. Our Future Goals • Continue building relationships with faculty, staff, and administration • Play a larger role in transfer student orientation • Continue promotion of our programs on a national level • Explore and create additional opportunities for transfer student involvement on our campus

19. Our Challenge To You • Bring this idea back to students on your campus • Encourage your transfer students to become more involved on campus, more proactive with the decisions that directly effect them • Empower transfer students to feel that they are part of your University’s family from their first day on campus • Need help getting started? E-mail us!!

20. Questions and Comments