Supporting First Year Students in Academic Need Amy Lorenz Marshall University Huntington West Virginia United States Connect with me coachamyruns lorenzamarshalledu A Little About Amy ID: 591769
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The Mentor Connection Program:Supporting First Year Students in Academic Need
Amy Lorenz
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
United StatesSlide2
Connect with me
coachamyrunslorenza@marshall.eduSlide3
A Little About Amy
Assistant Director of Academic Initiatives
New position in 2012
Reason: On campus grade point average (GPA) was lower than off campus; retention rates were parallel to the rates on campus (68%)
Oversee residence education, the first and second year experience, and academic initiativesSlide4
Learning OutcomesAttendees will…
Understand Marshall University’s approach to Academic Mentoring
Identify student populations for a potential Mentor Connection program
Develop learning outcomes and job descriptions for Academic Mentors
Articulate campus partnerships to help facilitate a mentoring programReceive support materials to aid in the creation of a similar program at home institutionsSlide5
The ContextMarshall UniversitySlide6
Demographic Information
Located in Huntington, WV
Part of Appalachia
Several low-income, first general students
68% of students need some form of developmental educationOur retention rate is at 73% from first to second yearFrom Fall 2011-Fall 2012, the average GPA for students living on campus was a 2.1Slide7
Overview of Services
Midterm interventions with 1
st
and 2nd year students on the D/F list
Marco’s Academic MadnessA social norming campaign regarding healthy academic behaviorsPartnerships with advising officesLiving learning communitiesOne for most collegesAs of Fall 2014, all 1st year students will live in an LLC
Academic programming in the residence halls
Faculty-in-ResidenceSlide8
The Academic Mentor Position
Began in Fall 2013
Overall goals:
Provide direct academic support to students in the residence hallRecruit and train staff able to help in all academic areas
Create tutoring opportunities beyond office hoursImprove the GPA and retention of 1st year studentsSlide9
General Job DescriptionMentors live in residence halls with 1
st
year students
Provide 3 office hours a weekAt least 2 after 8 pm
Each holds 2 academic programs a semesterProvide general academic supportCoordinate and facilitate study groupsCoach students on academic probation through the Mentor Connection ProgramSlide10
Key Campus Partnerships
Student Resource Center
Provost’s Office/Academic Affairs
Professional and Faculty advisorsCareer Services
Multicultural AffairsSlide11
Time to ReflectSlide12
The Mentor Connection ProgramStructured, academic coaching
Students meet biweekly with their Academic Mentors and complete the following:
Academic Plans, Part 1 and 2
Complete a Time Management Packet
Meet at least once with each professor for their coursesAttend at least 2 Student Resource Center eventsComplete a Learning Styles Inventory…and other interventions mutually determined with the Academic MentorsStudy skills instruction, test preparation, tutoring, and so onSlide13
Marketing to Students
Formats
Social media
FliersEmails to key academic partners
Specific contact to students with below a 2.0 in Fall 2013IncentivesEvery student received a $125 bookstore gift card5 students received $500 due to nominations from their Academic MentorsSlide14
Key ResourcesAcademic Plan, Parts 1 and 2
Online Resources
Modeled after the University of Connecticut’s
Uconn Connects Program
http://aac.uconn.edu/links-resources/Slide15Slide16Slide17Slide18Slide19
Key Findings: Mentor Interactions
Type of Interaction
Number
Academic Advising
7
Course Registration
76
Class Attendance
7
Clubs
7
Final Exams
7
General
121
GPA Calculation
7
Graduate School
3
INTO
7
Major Exploration
17
Math Prep
34
Mentor Connection Meetings
76
Midterm Grades
58
Motivation
3
Notetaking
38
Professors/Office Hours
243
Sleep
3
Stress Relief
31
Student Illness
7
Study Skills
72
Study Bucks
48
Test Preparation
45
Test Anxiety
3
Time Management
59
Transfer
7
Tutoring
27
Writing Skills
20
All
1003Slide20
Key Findings: Effect on GPA and Retention
Students in the Mentor Connection Program had an average GPA of 2.64
The average GPA of 1
st year students on campus is a 2.02Slide21
Discussion TimeSlide22
Contact me with Questions