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Presentation for Higher Learning Commission Conference on the Graduation Project at UW Oshkosh
Citation preview
Presenters
Ruth A. FreiburgerDirector, Adult Non Traditional
Resource (ANSR) Office
Martin TadlockAssistant Vice Chancellor,
Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement
Purpose of the Graduation Project • Help former UW Oshkosh students complete their
baccalaureate-level studies
• Increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders in Wisconsin
This Fall UW Oshkosh enrolled 12,669 students. Hidden withinthose numbers are the stories of:
• 67 students currently enrolled in the University through the Graduation Project (Spring 2009 Enrollment)
• 105 students who completed their undergraduate degrees at UW Oshkosh through the Graduation Project over the past two years
• 365 students in the pipeline exploring ways to complete their degrees
Wisconsin Facts• In top 10 states in high school graduation rate
• 5th in percentage of high school graduates who immediately enroll in college
• 7th in the nation for its high percentage of associate degree holders
• 35th in percentage of bachelor’s degree holders in adult population
Problem• 35th in the nation is not good!
Growth Agenda – Is there a “brain drain”?• Wisconsin needs 70,000 more adults with a bachelor’s
degree to reach the national average
• Major reinvestment is necessary to help restore quality
• Graduation Project is one of these efforts
Graduation Project Pilot 2004
• Idea of Chancellor – Richard Wells
• Test the water
• Establish contact
• Graduate nondegree completers
The Beginning – Outreach• Registrar and Graduation Examiners
identified “low hanging fruit”
• Stopped out in last six years
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
• 15 or less credits left
The Beginning – Communication• Admissions and Academic Advising
• Sent letter to first group with new STAR reports and academic plans
• Students responded to advisors
• Effort was time-consuming and understaffed
Graduation Project 2005• ANSR Office assigned project/new staff
added
• ANSR Office sent invitation to students
• Student mentors worked with GP students
• STAR reports were developed by academic advisors after students responded
Marketing• Graduation Project website
http://www.uwosh.edu/graduationproject wiki: gradproject.wetpaint.com
• Project brochure
• New phase letter sent out annually
• Resend letter to earlier year students with brochure
• Follow-up
GP operates out of the ANSR Office• 1.0 Project Appt. – Outreach Specialist dedicated to GP
• 2 student mentors @ .25 FTE – dedicated to GP
• .25 Academic Advisor – dedicated to GP
• ANSR Program Assistant – as needed
• ANSR Director
Personal Contact• Information, pre-advising and friendly follow up = essence
of project
• Follow up, follow up, follow up
T.K.
Assess Needs• Students respond to invitation to return
• Intake form gets the process started
• Advisors make new academic plan
Assess Needs• Choose available campus and format
for class
• Special issues: appeals, repeating classes, probation, suspension and applying for academic amnesty
Assess Needs• Transcripts
• Financial Aid
• GP Scholarship
Campus Process• Track GP students with database indicators
• Team up with other campus offices for meetings to problem solve, discuss relevant issues and policies
• Help students find courses and complete paperwork
Important Policies• Course Repeat policy
• Academic Amnesty
• Credit for Prior Learning
Benefits• New online and hybrid course development
• Collaboration with Center for New Learning
• Special distance students – GP and other NTS
• Solve unique problems
M.M.
Benefits• Increases faculty buy-in
• Get training to teach online and develop new skill
• Get paid for online training
• Able to teach courses above department allotment
Benefits• Creates direct personal connection for
students to get re-enrolled
• Adds new degree completers each year
• Instills hope!
Evaluation• Numbers of students who respond
• Numbers enrolled
• Numbers graduated
• Satisfaction
• Exit interviews/survey
• Survey to build on collaboration efforts
Funding• Committee on Baccalaureate Expansion (COBE)
funded for two years (06-07), $75,000 per year, total of $150,000
• President of UW System, Dr. Reilly, funded for two years (07-09) at $100,000 per year, total of $200,000 at UW Oshkosh Chancellor’s request
Scholarships• Privately funded scholarships from alum
and long-term donor
• Need based
• Recommended by Project and Provost
• No state funds for scholarships
Target Enrollments• Groups of students targeted for re-enrollment to complete their
degree are broken into phases relating to year of last enrollment at UW Oshkosh
Phase Year of Last Enrollment
Target (approximate number)
Phase 1 & 2 2004-2005 342 former students
Phase 3 2006 605 former students
Phase 4 2007 100 former students
Phase 5 2008 410 former students
(including contacts from Phase 1 & 2)
Graduation Project by the Numbers• 365 have responded to the invitation from all phases
• 116 have graduated – 105 from UW Oshkosh, 11 from other institutions
Accomplishments• Happy campers!
• More baccalaureate holders for university and state
• GP “counted” on UW stats, percentages, etc.
• New online courses to help GP and other NTS
• Visibility – helps students know where to start
Limiting institutional issues• Time lag in getting STAR reports
• Limited number of online classes
• Limited number of evening classes
Limiting institutional issues• 15 of last 30 credits rule
• Catalog year – lasts 6 years
• Full time Outreach Coordinator not permanently funded
What are the limiting issues on your campus?
The Graduation Project re-recruits and helps former students return to complete their baccalaureate-level studies and become proud alum!
Martin Tadlock [email protected]
Ruth Freiburger [email protected]
Graduation Project
Adult Nontraditional Student Resource (ANSR) Office
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: 920-424-1401
Email: [email protected]
Graduation Project wiki: gradproject.wetpaint.com