ready or not, here i am! nisod conference 2010. arleen arnsparger project manager, initiative on...

Ready or Not, Here I Am!

NISOD Conference 2010

Arleen ArnspargerProject Manager, Initiative on Student Success

Welcome to our Austin Community College Students!

Center for Community College Student Engagement

Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE)

& Starting Right:

Listening to Entering Students


SENSE & Starting Right: Listening to Entering Students3 years

235 + colleges

Represents 1.5 million students

32 states, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands

Focus Groups

89%…of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they believe they have the motivation to do what it takes to succeed in college.


High Expectations and Aspirations

85%…of new students responding to the SENSE survey say they’re academically prepared for college.


Entering students are highly motivated, are committed to achieving their academic goals, and sincerely believe they will.



…of our students leave in their first year.

50%


Helping students succeed through the equivalent of the first semester (12–15 credit hours) can dramatically improve subsequent success rates.

SENSE Benchmarks • Early Connections

• High Expectations and Aspirations

• Clear Academic Plan and Pathway

• Effective Track to College Readiness

• Engaged Learning

• Academic and Social Support Network


Some Observations about Entering Students

• Students experience culture shock and academic shock.

• It’s over within the first three weeks!

• You have to ask to be told…but what if you don’t know what to ask?


Some Observations about Entering Students

• Students feel disconnected. “They didn’t notice me when I got here, they didn’t notice me when I left.”

• Orientation helps – but students want to meet faculty and other students before classes start.

• Students don’t consider it “advising” when someone simply helps them sign up for class.


What does all this mean for us?

• Create an “on-ramp” to college life.

• Streamline registration – help students understand the “what” and the “why.”

• Make everything more personal – show them we care!

• If we know what students need – make it mandatory!



Students Start Right When They…•Make connections –

• between now and their future (setting goals)

• with faculty, staff and other students

• between what they’re learning and what’s important to them – personally and professionally


Students Start Right When They…

•Navigate successfully through college systems, processes and procedures

They understand what they’re doing and why it matters!

Arleen ArnspargerProject Manager, Initiative on Student Success

Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE)Community College Leadership Program The University of Texas at Austin

Web sites – www.enteringstudent.orgwww.ccsse.org


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ready or not, here i am! nisod conference 2010. arleen arnsparger project manager, initiative on...

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