Engaging the First Year Student

1. Engaging the First Year Student WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYQuality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

2. Freshman Convocation 2005

3. Purpose

4. “Engaged pedagogy is really the only type of teaching that truly generates excitement in the classroom that enables students and professors to feel the joy of learning.”bell hooks

5. Definition

6. WTAMU: A Great University • Small class sizes • Affordable • Friendly • Strong academic programs • (CIRP, 2005)

7. A Focused Topic Of the 1,221 Fall 2005 freshman, 790 were beginning their first collegiate experience. The university has more than 50% first-generation college students. WTAMU lost 421 freshmen in 2004. WTAMU lost 454 freshmen in 2005.

8. A Focused Topic Place Picture Here Only 28.9% chose WTAMU because it had a good academic reputation. Only 35% of our first year students expected to be satisfied with WTAMU. Only 9% expected to develop relationships with professors. (According to CIRP Data)

9. Level of Student Engagement • Significantly Below National Average: • Number of books read • Preparation for class • Synthesis and application • Emphasis on study time

10. Level of Student Engagement Place Picture Here • Below National Average: • Contribute to class discussion • Made class presentation • Class community-based projects • Tutored or taught other students

11. Level of Student Engagement • First year students do not get the same access to faculty: • Collaborate with faculty/staff • Discuss career plans • Prompt feedback from faculty • Discuss reading & class with faculty outside of class time

12. Level of Student Engagement • Significantly Below National Average: • Participate in co-curricular activities • Field experiences, internships • Community service • Racially and religiously diverse relationships Place Picture Here

13. Level of Student Engagement • Below National Average: • Campus helps with non- academic responsibilities (work, family, etc.) • Support to ensure social success • Quality of relationships with students, faculty, staff, administration Place Picture Here

14. Level of Student Engagement • Our students do not easily connect to faculty, staff, or each other. • Our students, faculty, and staff do not effectively communicate value of the Core Curriculum. • Our students are not well prepared for the collegiate experience. • Our faculty and staff do not have systemic support for implementing engaging teaching strategies.

15. Goals • Facilitate faculty development & improving classroom instruction in core courses. • Infuse service-learning and project based learning into the core curriculum.

16. Goals • Create unique field experiences to develop first year student civic responsibility. • Augment cultural awareness on a global level for civic responsibility.

17. Goals • Build successful learning skills. • Link problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

18. Goals • Connect first year students to peers in the campus community. • Link faculty and staff to peers in the campus community. • Foster relationships between first year students, faculty, and staff.

19. Initiatives

20. Initiatives

21. Assessment

22. Systemic Change

23. Program Improvement Plan

24. Accreditation Visit • April 10-12, 2006 • Focus will be on QEP • Visit with all campus partners • Inquire about knowledge of QEP focus and initiatives • Exit interview Wednesday, April 12, 2006

25. “All of us in the academy . . . are called to renew our minds if we are to transform educational institutions – and society – so that the way we live, teach, and work can reflect our joy in cultural diversity, our passion for justice, and our love of freedom.” (bell hooks, 1994)

26. Reactions • Questions? • Reactions? • Ideas?