Easing Transitions – A Capstone Course for Transfer Students

Angela GastDirector of Adult Student ResourcesIU Bloomington

Martin WolfgerDean of Liberal ArtsIvy Tech Bloomington

Students in Transition – A Possible Scenario

High School

• Student chooses Ivy Tech to start academic career

• May or may not have plans to transfer to IUB

Ivy Tech

• Student completes TGEC (30 cr.) and courses that transfer

• Transfer plan to IUB takes shape

• Student does not know much about IUB

IUB

• Student arrives at IUB and faces “transfer shock”

• Feels unprepared for the challenges of a university environment

A Tale of Two Cities…

Ivy Tech Bloomington Over 6,000 students Third-fastest growing

community college campus in the nation for its size (Borden, 2007)

Offers certificates, technical certificates, and associate’s degrees

Over 400 credit hours transfer to Indiana University

Small class sizes, low tuition Centralized and easily

accessible services (one stop)

IU Bloomington Over 40,000 students “Global” campus and

flagship institution of the Indiana University system

Situated on 1,933 acres Over 120 majors More than 1,800 FT faculty Decentralized services “We’re not in Kansas

anymore..”

But do students really transfer?

2000

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Number of Transfer StudentsITCC Bloomington - IUB

But do students really transfer?

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Transfer CreditsITCC Bloomington - IUB

But do students really transfer?

2011 2012 20135200

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Transcript Requests (Ivy Tech Bloom-ington)

Preventing Transfer Shock Angie Gast (IUB) served as

guest speaker in LIBA/GENS 279 Capstone course Both degrees are intended to

be transfer degrees Students expressed a clear

need for more transfer support! Possible solution: Creation of

a special “Transfer to IUB” section of LIBA/GENS capstone course

Course Development and Funding

Timeline January 2013 - Proposal for Lumina funding

is submitted and approved $7,500 for course development and marketing Truly collaborative project between ITCC and IUB

Course was developed and piloted during the 2013-14 academic year

Enrollment exceeded expectations!

How did we tell students about the course?

1. Word-of-mouth and individual course registration

2. Postcard3. Course brochure4. Website5. Monitors on

campus

Course Structure

16-week, hybrid format Taught by Angela Gast▪ Face-to-face sessions▪ Discussion Board topics▪ Outside assignments ▪ Independent study work preparing

final projects (education plan and portfolio)

▪ Campus visit to IUB Text: You Majored in What?

Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career by Katherine Brooks, ED.D

Course Content and Design

Covers all

learning

outcomes

• Example: Demonstrate mastery of ethical and responsible behaviors (COR)

Adds related IU

resources to each outcome

• Assignment: Using the IU financial aid website, determine your costs for attending IUB, the types of financial aid available, and possible scholarship opportunities. Then, describe three actions you can take during your first year at IUB to reduce your student loan debt.

Wandering MapActivity

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Wandering Map

Keep in mind:

• It will always be a work in progress. You may add items to it anytime you want and we will revisit it in future chapters.

• There are no rules, so don’t sabotage yourself by creating arbitrary rules, such as: o I must figure out the answers to all my

questions. o I must make the perfect map that includes

absolutely everything that’s important.o I have to be some kind of artist to create this

map.o I should include ____________ because my

parents/family/friends think it’s important.

Angie

Begin by writing your name in the middle of the sheet.

Angie

Earning master’s degree

Mental healthcaseworker

Spending summerbackpacking thru NZ

Trips to Europe

Cooking with

friends

Becoming an academic advisor

Teaching opportunityat Ivy Tech

Securing endowment for adult student scholarships

Being an aunt

Time with family

hiking

gardening

Wolf park internship

music

Now, add items such as meaningful events, classes, activities, hobbies, jobs, etc.

Angie

Mental healthcaseworker

Trips to Europe Cooking for

friends

Teaching opportunityat Ivy Tec

Securing endowment for adult student scholarships

Being an aunt

hiking

gardening

Wolf parkinternship

music

Now, begin to notice any themes that are present and draw lines to connect.

Spending summerbackpacking thru NZ

Earning master’s degree

travelHelping others

Importa

nce

of family

Becoming an academic advisor

Time with family

Love of new experiences

Helping others

Hobbies, outdoors

What does all of this mean? What did you learn by completing this activity?

Any new or surprising themes? New ideas about connectedness?

Do your themes relate to your academic and career goals? In what ways?

What role do values (such as family, friends, time for hobbies) play in your academic and career goals?

How might you incorporate minors, extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, etc. into your academic plan to account for any themes outside of your planned major?

Course Highlights

Special Features: 1. Visit from IU Admissions discussing

transfer process and timeline2. Campus visit to IU Bloomington with

brief tour, goody bags, lunch, and guest speakers from the following areas:

Financial aid Student Academic Center Disability Student Services First Year Experience Academic Advising

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho,It’s to IU we go!

Enrollment and Grades

ENROLLMENT: Fall 2013: 12 students Spring 2014: 12 students

GRADE DISTRIBUTION:A’s: 16 (67%)B’s: 4 (17%)C’s and D’s: 0F’s: 4 (17%)*

*The four failing grades were for non-attendance. All four attended first session, but participation and attendance tapered off over the course of the semester.

What do students say about the course?

“Very helpful to not be afraid of IU.”

“Good bye Ivy Tech. What a lovely send off.”

“ Such a wonderful experience. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to take this course.”

“Excellent class! I gained knowledge AND wisdom.”

Some were REALLY impressed…

I LOVED THIS CAPSTONE COURSE WITH THE FOCUS ON TRANSFER TO IU. I FELT LIKE I RECEIVED INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE IU EXPERIENCE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED WITHOUT IT. THE DAY ON CAMPUS AT IU GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF OTHER IVY TECH TRANSFER STUDENTS AND ALSO TO HEAR INFORMATION FROM MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL BE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE TO US IN OUR UPCOMING ENROLLMENT AT IU. ANGELA GAST WAS VERY HELPFUL AND THOROUGH. I WOULD ALWAYS RECOMMEND THIS COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TRANSFER!

Moving Forward

Ideas to involve IU Admissions in this course include: IU Admissions may host a

campus visit day for ITCC transfer students

IU Admissions may offer expedited transcript evaluation during class

IU Admissions may visit class and provide information for application processing

Questions?