Community Colleges

A Valuable Partner in Student Success

Sherrie Knop LicónDirector of Student

RetentionCentral Arizona College

Overview

• Introduction and today’s news• Benefits of community college• (Sometimes unknown) Resources

Available at the Community College• Reverse Transfer

Community College

Benefits of Community College

Easier transition for students

Small class sizesQuality of instruction

Low tuitionOpen door admission

Benefits of Community College

Benefits of Attending a Community College

Easier transition for students

• Small class sizes•Quality of instruction• Low tuition•Open door admission

Common Student Learning Outcomes (CSLO)

• Cultural and Civic EngagementParticipate in diverse environments while demonstrating global citizenship and social consciousness

• Integrative KnowledgeIdentify, comprehend, apply and synthesize facts, concepts, theories and practices across broad and specialized knowledge areas

• Personal and Professional SkillsDemonstrate skills which enhance personal and professional development

• Reasoning SkillsInquire and analyze to solve problems, draw logical conclusions, or create innovative ideas

Tips for Student Success

(sometimes unknown) Resources Transition Programs

TRIO Student Support Services: www.centralaz.edu/trio

TRIO Summer Bridge: www.centralaz.edu/summerbridge

Why TRIO?

Why TRIO?

Transition Programs

STEM: www.centralaz.edu/stem

WIOA: www.centralaz.edu/wioa

Title V Step Up to Success: http://goo.gl/hgpaIZ

University Transfer Centers

Course Placement Boot Camp/Math Prep Programs

(sometimes unknown) Resources On-Campus Housing

• Central Arizona College – Coolidge, AZ

• Yavapai College – Prescott, AZ

• Arizona Western College – Yuma, AZ

• Eastern Arizona College, Thatcher, AZ

• Cochise College, Douglas, AZ

Reverse Transfer (4 yr. to 2 yr.)

National Student Clearinghouse Study – 1.3 million students• 14.4% of first-time university students enrolled at a two-

year institution outside of summer months• Only 16.6% of these students returned to their original

institution• 71.1% remained in a two-year institution for more than one

term• By end of 6 year study period, two-thirds of these students

had neither a credential from nor were still enrolled at a four-year institution

• Only 1 in 10 of the students who left completed a degree or were still enrolled at original institution

Reverse Transfer (4 yr. to 2 yr.)

• 77.5 percent of students who began at a four-year institutions, enrolled in summer courses at a two-year, then returned to their initial institution successfully completed a degree

• Students who did not also attend a two-year institution – only 58.4 percent completed a degree at their institution of origin.

Why the churn?

• Academic difficulty• Financial challenges• Homesickness, transition from HS to college• First-generation• Seeking practical, applied degrees or

learning opportunities• Personal fit

Challenges

• Unfamiliar structures• Deal with bureaucracy of not one, but two or three

institutions *social/cultural capital formed during this time

• Internal vocabulary• Perceptions of reverse transfer

• Self-talk is sometimes VERY LOUD – I couldn’t handle university, will I be able to handle a new institution, new people, etc.?

• * what was learned from the experience? How can we value this knowledge

How can we help?

1. First, determine the end goal. a) Bachelors, Associate’s, Certificate?

2. Create a plan.3. Help the student to see daylight at the end of

the tunnel.4. Engage and EmpowerPartner DiscussionWhat are your experiences with reverse transfer students?

How can we help?

Group DiscussionWhat are strategies we as professionals can employ to ensure improve completion rates of reverse transfer students?

Questions?

Sherrie Knop LicónDirector of Student Retention

Central Arizona Collegesherrie.licon@centralaz.edu

480-677-7838