Opening Up the Pathway to Opening Up the Pathway to Graduate EducationGraduate Education

Opening Up the Pathway to Opening Up the Pathway to Graduate EducationGraduate Education

Lessons Learned from California State Lessons Learned from California State University (CSU) StudentsUniversity (CSU) Students

Linda DeAngelo, MALinda DeAngelo, MADoctoral Student/Research AnalystDoctoral Student/Research Analyst

Glen T. Winans, PhDGlen T. Winans, PhDAssistant DeanAssistant Dean

CSU Alumni Participation in UCLA Graduate Study

CSU Alumni Participation in UCLA Graduate Study

From Fall 1992 thru Fall 2002:• Over 3,300 CSU Students Admitted into

UCLA Graduate Programs- 34% of CSU Master’s Program Applicants Admitted

with 73% Registered- 25% of CSU Doctoral Applicants Admitted with 63%

Registered

• CSU Registrants Comprised- 16% of underrepresented Master’s Students @ UCLA- 21% of underrepresented Doctoral Students @ UCLA

CSU Outreach Project ObjectivesCSU Outreach Project Objectives

• Promote CSU Student Awareness of Graduate Study

• Promote CSU Student Preparation for Graduate Study

• Recruit Underrepresented CSU Students to UCLA Graduate Programs

CSU Outreach Project Activities CSU Outreach Project Activities

• Focused Outreach Activities At CSU Campuses

• Focused Outreach to CSU Student Groups

• Participation in CSU and UC/CSU Outreach Programs

• Research Initiatives

Research QuestionsResearch Questions

• How do students formulate graduate degree How do students formulate graduate degree aspirations?aspirations?

• How do student experiences at the CSU shapeHow do student experiences at the CSU shape aspirations and preparation?aspirations and preparation?

• What do students experience during their transition to graduate study?

• What are students’ suggestions for assisting more CSU students to pursue graduate study?

Student SampleStudent Sample

• Interviews Conducted July to November 2002

• 122 Interviews of CSU Alumni Enrolled in UCLA Master’s & PhD Programs- 65 PhD Students- 57 Masters Students

• Representing 17 CSU Campuses

• Enrolled in 41 Degree Programs @ UCLA

Student DemographicsStudent Demographics

African American 6%Asian American/Pacific Islander 7%Latino/Mexican American 18%Native American 2%White 56%Decline to State 11%

Females 65%Males 35%

Formulating AspirationsFormulating Aspirations

• Mentorship/Encouragement Mentorship/Encouragement - Especially Important for First Generation and - Especially Important for First Generation and

Underrepresented StudentsUnderrepresented Students

- Mentor Types - Mentor Types

““Talent Seekers” & “Accidental Assisters”Talent Seekers” & “Accidental Assisters”

• Academic EngagementAcademic Engagement- Research Experiences & Internships- Research Experiences & Internships

• Graduate School FundingGraduate School Funding

Role of CSU Role of CSU

• Faculty MentorshipFaculty Mentorship- Connecting Students to Enriching Experiences- Connecting Students to Enriching Experiences

• Research ExperiencesResearch Experiences- - More Competitive, Better Understanding of GraduateMore Competitive, Better Understanding of Graduate School Environment and Application ProcessSchool Environment and Application Process

• Academic Environment at CSUAcademic Environment at CSU- Viewed as a Positive and a Negative- Viewed as a Positive and a Negative

• McNair, Pre-Doctoral, & NSF ProgramsMcNair, Pre-Doctoral, & NSF Programs- Confirmed as Enriching Experiences

Transition Experiences at UCLATransition Experiences at UCLA

• Students Felt Prepared to Enter and SucceedStudents Felt Prepared to Enter and Succeed- More Higher Level Academic Courses Helpful- More Higher Level Academic Courses Helpful

- Research Experiences & Faculty Interaction Important- Research Experiences & Faculty Interaction Important

• Common Adjustment & Transition IssuesCommon Adjustment & Transition Issues- Pace of Graduate School- Pace of Graduate School

- Theoretical Orientation of Graduate School- Theoretical Orientation of Graduate School

- Diversity of UCLA as Compared to CSU- Diversity of UCLA as Compared to CSU

Student SuggestionsStudent Suggestions

• Increase Availability of Graduate School InfoIncrease Availability of Graduate School Info

• Greater Encouragement to Pursue Graduate Greater Encouragement to Pursue Graduate SchoolSchool

• Provide Information on Graduate School FundingProvide Information on Graduate School Funding

• Increase Exposure to Experiences that Enhance Increase Exposure to Experiences that Enhance CompetitivenessCompetitiveness

• Reinforce that CSU Students are Wanted and Reinforce that CSU Students are Wanted and WelcomeWelcome

Conclusions: What We LearnedConclusions: What We Learned

• CSU Provides Strong Foundation CSU Provides Strong Foundation

• Faculty Mentorship/Encouragement ImportantFaculty Mentorship/Encouragement Important

• Research Opportunities ValuableResearch Opportunities Valuable

• Graduate School Going Culture BeneficialGraduate School Going Culture Beneficial

• Proper Preparation Eases TransitionProper Preparation Eases Transition

• Importance of a Welcoming EnvironmentImportance of a Welcoming Environment

Implications for PracticeSuggestions for CSU

Implications for PracticeSuggestions for CSU

• Reward Faculty Mentoring

• Promote Opportunities for Research & Extracurricular Involvement

• Engage Graduate School Culture

• Encourage Upper Level Academic Courses

• Facilitate Connections Between Undergraduate and Graduate Education

Implications for PracticeSuggestions for UCLA

Implications for PracticeSuggestions for UCLA

• Increase Awareness of Graduate Education

• Modify Faculty Perceptions

• Connect CSU Students w/ UCLA Faculty & Graduate Students

• Partner w/ CSU Campuses to Build Bridges in All Academic Disciplines

• Document Graduate Student Success