First Generation Gateway: Bringing Together Academic Advising and Student Affairs to

Support First-Generation Student Success

2017 NACADA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER

Vicki Cohen · Patsy Nwagbaraocha · Trish Raysor

About TU

Founded in 1866 as Maryland State Normal School

1935 Maryland State Teachers College

1963 Towson State College

1976 Towson State University

1997 Towson University

Located in Towson, Md.

TU Facts & Figures

University Growth

UNIVERSITY GROWTH

TOP 10%

(TU INITIATIVE)

TU INITIATIVE

UNIVERSITY GROWTH

TOP 10%

(TU INITIATIVE)S3

TU INITIATIVE REVIEW

S3: SUPPORT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

CAMPUS CONSTITUENCIES

Academic Advising

Academic Achievement

Student Affairs

Enrollment Services

Admissions

• Registration/Common Course for first semester

• Professional First-Year Experience Advisors

• Focus on transition to college

Academic Advising

• Co-teaching

• Campus Activities

Student Affairs

• Team taught: FYE Advisor and Student Affairs staff

• Recommended but optional for first-generation, and/or low income, and/or needing developmental coursework

• 10 weeks

• P on transcript for completion

• No penalty for not completing

ORIE 050

S3

UNIVERSITY GROWTH

TOP 10%

(TU INITIATIVE)S3

CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

(STATE INITIATIVE)

• Registration/Common Course for first semester

• Professional First-Year Experience Advisors

• Focus on transition to college

Academic Advising

• SAGE Program

• Students Achieve Goals through Education

• Mentoring from upper-class students

• Early move in and orientation prior to fall start

• Common Core course

• Campus Activities

Student Affairs

• Team taught: FYE Advisor and Student Affairs staff

• Open to students not in residential component

• 10 weeks

• 1 credit

• Graded as S/U

• Enhanced curriculum

ORIE 101

SAGE

ORIE 050 │ORIE 101

ORIE 050

• Team teaching

• On Course textbook

• 10 weeks

• P grade/No penalty

• No credit

ORIE 101

• FYE Advisor, Student Affairs staff

• College Success textbook

• 10 weeks

• S/U

• 1 credit

ORIE 101

• Increase self-motivation

• Improve self-management

• Develop interdependence

• Maximize your learning

• Master effective study skills

Class # Day Theme Assignments Due

Class 1 Monday, August 28 Course Overview – Introduction to College Success and Blackboard, Expectations

Class 2 Wednesday, August 30

You and Your College Experience(Team Building)

Class 3 Wednesday, September 6

Understanding Financial AidFinancial Aid Office visit

Chapter 11Journal Reflection 1

Class 4 Monday, September 11 In-class workshop Chapter 1Journal Reflection 2Campus Involvement 1

Class 5 Wednesday, September 13

Thriving on Campus Center for Student Diversity visit

Chapter 9

Class 6 Monday,September 18

In-class workshop Chapter 7Journal Reflection 3

Class 7 Wednesday,September 20

Writing for CollegeWriting Center visit

Chapter 8

Class 8 Monday,September 25

Staying Motivated, Organized, and On TrackAcademic Achievement Center visit – CK 513

Chapter 4, 6

Class 9 Wednesday,September 27

Understanding Your ResourcesCook Library visit – CK512

Chapter 5Campus Involvement 2Journal Reflection 4

Class 10 Monday,October 2

In-class workshop Chapter 4Journal Reflection 5

Class 11 Monday,October 9

Taking Control of Your HealthCounseling & Health Centers visit

Chapter 10Campus Involvement 3

Class 12 Monday,October 16

In-class workshop Chapter 2Journal Reflection 6

Class 13 Monday,October 23

Taking Control of Your FutureCareer Center visit

Chapter 12Campus Involvement 4

Class 14 Monday,October 30

Taking Control of Your AcademicsAdvising & Registration prep

Campus Involvement 4Journal Reflection 7

Class 15 Monday,November 6

Presentations, Questions Chapter 3Journal Reflection 8

Class 16 Monday, November 13 Final Class Discussion, Course Evaluations Compelling Life Plan

Assignments

Assignments

PRE-ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR SAGE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITYHOUR MON 8/17 TUE 8/18 WED 8/19 THU 8/20 FRI 8/21 SAT 8/22

7:30AM

Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast

Help with Move-in & NSO

8:00AM8:30AM9:00AM

Newell Hall Check-In

Campus Rec: Team Building

OTS/Blackboard

Cook Library

Career Center9:30AM

10:00AM BREAK

10:30AMCounseling Center &

Health Center Fun Activity11:00AM

StrengthsQuest I & Woofound 11:30AM BREAK BREAK BREAK

12:00PM

LUNCH w/CSD Staff LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH12:30PM1:00PM Student Affairs Greeting

Location: Susquehanna Academic Achievement CenterLocation: Susquehanna

Reflections

TU Faculty InteractionAssessments1:30PM

Conduct & CivilityLocation: Susquehanna

2:00PM Parent Send OffLocation: Susquehanna

Final Rehearsal2:30PM

Scavenger HuntBREAK

Move-in Orientation3:00PM Community Building

Location: SusquehannaBREAK

Financial Aid

3:30PM BREAK

Academic Advising

4:00PMHRL Staff Resources

Location: Susquehanna

SGA Affinity GroupsLocation: Susquehanna

Prepare for closing

4:30PMStudent Activities

Location: Susquehanna

StrengthsQuest II5:00PM Community Building

Location: Susquehanna BREAK Positive Affirmations5:30PM6:00PM

DINNER DINNER DINNER DINNER DINNER6:30PM7:00PM Face Bags

Location: Susquehanna

Movie - Cinemark

Project Serv

Campus Life Interests

Closing Event

7:30PM

8:00PMPictures

Location: Susquehanna Terrace

Mentors Community Building8:30PM

Discuss Closing ProgramsLocation: Susquehanna Finalize Closing Event

9:00PM9:30PM

Plan Closing Event

10:00PM

10:30PM11:00PM

The Students

Semester GPAs

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

ORIE 101 students SAGE Residents ORIE 101 withdrawal All Freshmen

Fall 2015 Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Spring 2017

First Semester/First Year Retention Rates

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

ORIE 101 Students SAGE Residents ORIE 101 Withdrawal All Freshmen

Fall 2015 Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Spring 2017

Student Success

Student Affairs

Academic Advising

Q & A

Vicki Cohen

• vcohen@towson.edu

Patsy Nwagbaraocha

•pnwagbaraocha@towson.edu

Trish Raysor

• traysor@towson.edu