TheSMARTChoiceforResidentialTransfers

DanStypaResidenceLifeCoordinator

Welcome Welcomeandintroductions Overviewoftheresearchontransferstudents&peermentorprograms

InformationabouttheSMARTGuideposition ChallengesandopportunitiesofcreatingandimplementingtheSMARTGuideposition

AssessmentofgoalachievementoftheSMARTGuideposition

InvolvementofcampusstakeholdersoutsideofHousing Closing

LearningOutcomes1. Understandrelevantresearch pertainingtotransfer

studentsandpeermentorprograms.2. Developtechniquestoassesstheneedsoftransfer

studentsontheirrespectivecampuses.3. Understandaspectsofplanningandimplementinga

peermentorprogram.4. Createapersonalizedactionplanforaddressingthe

needsofresidentialtransferstudentsontheirrespectivecampuses.

5. Developanetworkofprofessionalscommittedtoenhancingtheresidentialtransferexperience.

AboutTransferStudents– Co‐curricular

StudyoftransfersusingCIRP(CooperativeInstitutionalResearchProgram)andYFCY(YourFirstCollegeYear)datashowedspecificareasofnon‐engagementamongtransfers(UCSanDiego,2003)

Transfersarelesslikely to:– engageinco‐curricularactivitieslikeintramuralsportsandcampusclubsthannativestudents

– usesupportserviceslikecounselingandtutoringthan“native”studentsand

– developclosefriendshipswithpeersthan“native”students

AboutTransferStudents– Academically

GPAsoftransferstudentsdipaftertransfer– Differencesontheseverityorduration

Transfersarelesslikelytoattainacollegedegreethannativestudentswhoarecontinuouslyenrolled

Continuoustransfershavea33.4%lowerprobabilityofattainingtheirbachelor’sdegreethannativestudents.

AboutTransferStudents– Graduation

Transferstakelongertograduate

A2005U.S.DepartmentofEducationStudyshows:– Nativestudentstakeanaverageof4.4years– Horizontaltransfers(betweendifferent4‐yearschools)takeanaverageof5.1years

– Verticaltransfers(betweencommunitycollegesand4‐yearschools)takeanaverageof5.4years

– Swirler transfers(transferbetweenavarietyofcolleges)takethelongestbecausetheyoften“don’tknowwhattheydon’tknow.”

AboutResidentialPeerMentors

MentoringistheprimaryfocusofaPeerMentor'swork– providingassistanceinareassuchasadjustingtoandlearningthecollege’sculture,buildingasupportnetworkofpeers,timemanagement,studyskills,organization,test‐takingskills,understandingasyllabus,andusingcollege‐specificinternetsystems

CriticalpartofaPeerMentorprogramisconnectingstudentswithacademicresourcesincluding:– faculty/instructors– advisors– tutors– helpcenters– studylocations

AboutResidentialPeerMentors

Live‐instudentswhohaveavisible,activeandpositivepresenceintheresidencehallcommunity

WorkindividuallywithstudentsandcollaborativelywithResidentAssistantstohelpstudentsexperienceapositivetransitiontocollege

Assistinthecreationofinclusive,academically‐focusedcommunitiestopromotedesiredlearningoutcomes,includingbutnotlimitedto:– personalresponsibility– multiculturalcompetence– academicsuccess

AboutResidentialPeerMentors

WorkcollaborativelywiththeResidentAssistantsandotheroffices,suchasNewStudentConnectionsorOrientation

Implementprogramsandinitiativesthatprovideresidentswithaccesstocampusresources

Designopportunitiestoconnectstudentswithfacultyandinstructorsinaninformalatmosphere

Assistwithovercomingdailychallengesinthecourseoftheirpersonalandacademicdevelopment

SMARTGuideatUSF StudentMentorandAdvocateforResidentialTransfers

Developedasaresultofassessingneedsandfeedbackofresidentialtransfers– Lackofastrongsenseofcommunity– Moreopportunitiesforcampuspartnersupport– LayoutofthebuildingthathousestheTransferLLC

ThisyearisthefirstyearoftheSMARTGuidepositionbeingimplemented

SMARTGuideatUSF‐ Requirements

InordertoapplytobeaSMARTGuide,thefollowingrequirementsmustbemet(andmaintained):– full‐timeundergraduateUSFstudent– completed25totalcredithoursprior– maintainedaminimumcumulativeGPAof2.75– demonstratestrongcurricularandco‐curricularinvolvement– freeofanycurrentUniversityconductsanction– livedinaresidencehallforatleastonefullsemester– joinatleastonestudentorganizationsuchastheHollyHallCouncil,ResidenceHallAssociation,TransferStudentOrganization,etc

– availabletoattendPeerMentortraininginthespringandinAugustpriortothebeginningoffallsemester

SMARTGuideatUSF– JobResponsibilities

Live‐inpositionthatrequiresthatthementorliveonthesamefloorasresidentsintheTransferCommunity

Developacommunityconducivetostudentsuccessbyencouragingpositivebehaviorsandaddressingbehaviorsthataredetrimentaltotheindividualand/orcommunity

SupporttheDepartmentofHousing&ResidentialEducationpoliciesandhasaresponsibilityasacommunitymembertochallengenegativebehaviors

SMARTGuidesservemanydifferentrolesinthecommunity:– advisor,helper,friend,advocate,andmore

SMARTGuideatUSF– JobResponsibilities

SpecificjobresponsibilitiesoftheSMARTGuideincludedinthejobdescription

Availableasahandoutatthissession

SMARTGuideatUSF– Benefits

ThefollowingbenefitswillbereceivedbyallSMARTGuides:– $200diningdollarstobeusedatdininghallswithothertransferstudents

– Move‐inearlywiththemove‐inearlyfeewaived– AssistUSFinfulfillingitsmissionandgoalsfortransferresidents– Trainingincommunication,groupdynamics,facilitationandleadershipskills

– Experienceinfacilitatinggroupdiscussionsandactivities– Developingandplanningasuccessfulliving‐learningenvironmentfortransferresidents

– EstablishingmeaningfulrelationshipswithtransferresidentsandUSFstaffmembers

SMARTGuideatUSF– Training

Eveninginthespring2011semester– Meet&Greet– Expectations– “To‐do”forthesummer

2dayspriortoresidencehallmove‐in– UnderstandingUSFTransfers– Goalsetting– Helpingskills&communication– Studentinvolvement– Multiculturalcompetence

Fullscheduleavailable

Discussion:Challenges&Opportunities

Challenges1. Whataresomeofthepossiblechallengeswithdeveloping

&implementingaprogramlikethisonyourcampuses?2. Howcanthesechallengesbeovercomeandmanaged?

Opportunities1. Whataresomeofthepossibleopportunitiesthatcanbe

realizedwithdeveloping&implementingaprogramlikethisonyourcampuses?

Assessment&EvaluationInsmallgroups…1. Whatwouldyouassessandevaluateinregardstothis

position?2. Howwouldyouassessandevaluatetheidentified

elements?3. Whatwouldyoudowiththecollectedassessmentand

evaluationdata?

Sharingourideaswiththegroup

CampusPartners Importanttoinvolvecampuspartnersinordertocreateaholisticandintentionalexperience

Involvethesepartnersinallphasestogeneratebuy‐inandsupport– Recruitment,interviews,training,programs

Partnerstoconsiderinvolving– FirstYearExperience– NewStudentConnections– StudentSuccessCenter– CivicEngagement&Leadership– Others?

Closing Enhancingtheresidentialtransferexperienceisprimarygoal

Ideaspresentedanddiscussedareapplicabletoalltypesofschoolsandmorethanjusttransferstudents

Questions?Comments?Ideas?

DanStypa,ResidenceLifeCoordinatorstypa@usf.edu813‐974‐1995

 

APPLY NOW! 

Student Mentor & Advocate for Residential Transfers

Become a SMART Guide for the Transfer‐a‐Bull community for the 2011‐12 school year!  This new position will serve as a mentor & advocate for transfer 

students living in Holly next year and work closely with the RAs.  

SMART Guides will receive…  $200 in FREE Dining Dollars  FREE early move‐in  Amazing personal & professional development 

 

Check your email or see your RA for the application!  DUE April 6th so apply NOW! 

Student Mentor & Advocate for Residential Transfers Guide Information & Application Packet

About the SMART Guide The SMART Guides are live-in students who have a visible, active and positive presence in the Transfer Community in the Holly Apartments. SMART Guides work individually with students and collaboratively with Resident Assistants to help students experience a positive transition to USF and assist in the creation of inclusive, academically-focused communities to promote the departmental learning outcomes, including but not limited to, personal responsibility, multicultural competence, and academic success. Mentoring is the primary focus of the SMART Guide’s work and is defined as providing students with assistance in areas such as adjusting to and learning the USF culture, building a support network of peers, time management, study skills, organization, test-taking skills, understanding a syllabus, and using USF-specific internet systems. Additionally, a critical part of the SMART Guide program is connecting students with academic resources including faculty/instructors, advisors, tutors, help centers, study locations, libraries, etc. SMART Guides also work collaboratively with the Resident Assistants and other appropriate offices, such as New Student Connections, to implement programs and initiatives that provide residents with access to campus resources, opportunities to connect to faculty and instructors in an informal atmosphere, and assistance with overcoming daily challenges in the course of their personal and academic development.

Benefits for the SMART Guide By serving as a SMART Guide, students will gain invaluable skills and abilities that will enhance their USF experience, as well as make them more marketable for employment upon graduation. The following benefits will be received by all SMART Guides:

• $200 dining dollars to be used at dining halls with other transfer students • Move-in early (tentatively August 15, 2011) with the move-in early fee waived • Housing & Residential Education t-shirts • Participate in on-going professional development with free food and prizes • Assist USF in fulfilling its mission and goals for transfer residents • Training in communication, group dynamics, facilitation and leadership skills • Experience in facilitating group discussions and activities • Developing and planning a successful living-learning environment for transfer residents • Establishing meaningful relationships with transfer residents and USF staff members

Job Responsibilities The SMART Guide is a live-in position which requires that the SMART Guide live on the same floor as residents in the Transfer Community. The SMART Guide and the Resident Assistant work together to develop a community that promotes student success by encouraging positive behaviors. SMART Guides must support the Department of Housing & Residential Education policies and has a responsibility as a community member to challenge negative behaviors. SMART Guides serve many different roles in the community – mentor, advocate, advisor, helper, friend, and more. Some of the specific job responsibilities of the SMART Guide are:

• Mentor a selected group of transfer students living on the floor • Encourage resident involvement through their own involvement and positive attitude • Assist students in the transition from their previous institution to USF • Act as a liaison between the resident assistant and transfer residents

Requirements of the SMART Guide The academic success of the SMART Guide is the top priority of the Department of Housing & Residential Education. In order to apply – and maintain – to be a SMART Guide, the following requirements must be met:

• Must be a full-time undergraduate USF student • Must move in early (tentatively Monday, August 15) for training and opening activities • Must have completed 25 total credit hours prior to the beginning of the Fall semester • Must have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 • Must demonstrate strong curricular and co-curricular involvement (or potential) on campus • Must be free of any current University conduct sanction • Must have lived in a residence hall for at least one full semester • Must join at least one student organization such as the Holly Hall Council, Residence Hall Association, Transfer

Student Organization, or others that promote Transfer Student Success • Must be available to attend SMART Guide training in the spring and August prior to the beginning of school

Skills Needed to be a SMART Guide While necessary training and resources will be provided to all selected SMART Guides, it is strongly encouraged that SMART Guides possess the following skills:

• Ability to act as a positive role model, facilitate group discussion and work with a diverse residential population • Strong communication and organizational skills • Positive attitude and self motivation • Ability to ensure confidentiality • Ability to gain knowledge about USF resources that support the success of transfer students • Enthusiasm and a sense of humor • Desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others

APPLICATION TIMELINE The following is the application and selection timeline for the SMART Guides:

Recruitment March 28 thru April 6 Applications Due to 111 Holly M Wednesday, April 6 at 5pm Applicants contacted for Interviews Friday, April 8 Interviews for select candidates April 11 thru 14 Notification of Status in Process Friday, April 15 Deadline to Accept or Decline Offer Wednesday, April 20 Welcome Dinner & Orientation Week of April 25 (date TBD based on hired candidates) Early Move-in for Training & Opening Tentatively Monday, August 15

For questions or information, please contact the Holly Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) Dan Stypa at 813-974-1995 or stypa@usf.edu

Student Mentor & Advocate for Residential Transfers Guide Application

Applicant Information First Name Last Name

Current On-Campus Address

Email Address

Phone Number

Gender T-shirt Size

U-number Current Class Standing

Current GPA Current RA Short-Answer Questions On a separate sheet of paper, please provide your answers to the following three questions. Your answers do not have to be a certain length; they can be as short or long as you wish as long as you feel you answer the question to the best of your ability.

1. Why are you interested in the SMART Guide position?

2. What are some common challenges that transfer students face, both academically and socially? As a SMART Guide, how would you help students overcome these challenges?

3. What ideas do you have to help get residential transfer students engaged in the Holly and greater USF community?

Buckley Waiver

I, ________________________________, hereby authorize and consent to the release of my records which shall include my GPA, Major, confirmation of enrollment, and conduct status at the University of South Florida for the purpose of verifying my qualifications for a SMART Guide. I wish to submit this application for the position of SMART Guide. I have read and understood the application packet and position information as set forth by Housing & Residential Education. I possess the minimum qualifications required, as specified in the Position Description. I attest that all information provided on this application is true and factual to the best of my knowledge. Signature: ______________________________ U-Number ________________________Date__________

Submission Instructions Once you have read completed the applicant information section, signed the Buckley Waiver, and have answered the

three short-answer questions, please staple your application packet together and put it in the envelope on the door of the Holly Residence Life Coordinator at 111 Holly M by 5pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. You will receive an email letting you know that your application has been received. For the complete application and selection timeline, please

refer to the “Application Timeline” section of the packet.

For questions or information, please contact Holly RLC Dan Stypa at 813-974-1995 or stypa@usf.edu

SMART Guide Training Schedule

Monday, August 15 8:45-9am Welcome back! Holly K

9-10am Understanding USF Transfer Students Holly K

Jessy Rosenberg, New Student Connections 10-10:30am The Residential Experience Holly K Michelle Hopper, Housing & Residential Education 10:30-11:15am What it means to be a Peer Mentor Holly K Dr. Dorie Paine, Director of Housing & Residential Education 11:15am-12pm Goals, Expectations, & the SMART Guide Position Holy K Dan Stypa, Residence Life Coordinator 12-1pm Lunch Holly K Holly Staff 1-2pm Promoting & Supporting Academic Success Holly K Dr. Liz Kaplon, Program Director for Academic Initiatives 2-2:30pm Team Builder Holly K Selena Haggins, Assistant Residence Life Coordinator 2:30-3:15pm Multicultural Competence Holly K Monica Rochon, Assistant Residence Life Coordinator 3:15-4:15pm Mental Health Awareness & Campus Support Holly K Dr. Rick Temple, USF Counseling Center 4:15-5pm Communication & Listening Skills Holly K Transfer-a-Bull RAs 5-5:30pm Recap & the Next Steps Holly K Dan Stypa 5:30-6:30pm Dinner Holly K Holly Staff

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – Holly Apartments 2011-2012

SMART Guide Training Schedule Tuesday, August 16 10am-12pm Floor decorations Holly E

Transfer-a-Bull RAs

12-1pm Lunch Holly E Holly Staff

1:15-1:45pm Campus Involvement & Leadership Opportunities Holly K Mallory Trochesset, Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement Joey Monahan, Center for Student Involvement 1:45-2:15pm Team builder Holly K Selena Haggins, Assistant Residence Life Coordinator 2:15-3pm Response to Crisis & Policy Violations Holly K Dan Stypa, Residence Life Coordinator 3-4pm Residential Curriculum & Programming Holly K Dan Stypa, Residence Life Coordinator 4-5pm GO: 2011 – Creating our Plan Holly K Dan Stypa, Residence Life Coordinator Selena Haggins, Assistant Residence Life Coordinator Transfer-a-Bull RAs 5-6pm Floor decorations Holly E Transfer-a-Bull RAs 6-7pm Dinner Holly Staff

Wednesday, August 17 10am-4pm Grand Opening Holly E

4pm Week of Welcome Kick-off MSC

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – Holly Apartments 2011-2012

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SMARTGuideStudentMentor&AdvocateforResidentialTransfers

AboutTransferStudentsStudy of transfers using CIRP (Cooperative Institutional Research Program) and YFCY (Your First College Year) data Showed specific areas of non‐engagement among transfers (UC San Diego, 2003): 

Transfers are less likely to engage in co‐curricular activities like intramural sports and campus clubs than native students.  

Transfers are less likely to use support services like personal counseling and academic tutoring than native students.  

Transfers are less likely to develop close friendships with peers than native students.   Most researchers agree that GPAs of transfer students dip after transfer, but disagree on the severity or duration: 

Transfers are less likely to attain a degree than native students who are continuously enrolled.   Continuous transfers have a 33.4% lower probability of attaining their bachelor’s degree than 

native students.   Additionally, transfers take longer to graduate:  

2005 U.S. Department of Education Study showed Native students take an average of 4.4 years;   Horizontal transfers take an average of 5.1 years   Vertical transfer students take an average of 5.4 years   “Swirlers” take the longest.   Transfers often don’t know what they don’t know.  

 

AboutthePeerMentorPeer Mentors are live‐in students who have a visible, active and positive presence in the residence hall community.  Peer Mentors work individually with students and collaboratively with Resident Assistants to help students experience a positive transition to USF and assist in the creation of inclusive, academically‐focused communities to promote the departmental learning outcomes, including but not limited to, personal responsibility, multicultural competence, and academic success.   Mentoring is the primary focus of a Peer Mentor's work, and is defined as providing students with assistance in areas such as adjusting to and learning the USF culture, building a support network of peers, time management, study skills, organization, test‐taking skills, understanding a syllabus, and using USF‐specific internet systems. Additionally, a critical part of the Peer Mentor program is connecting students with academic resources including faculty/instructors, advisors, tutors, help centers, study locations, libraries, etc.   Peer Mentors also work collaboratively with the Resident Assistants and other appropriate offices, such as New Student Connections, to implement programs and initiatives that provide residents with access to campus resources, opportunities to connect to faculty and instructors in an informal atmosphere, and assistance with overcoming daily challenges in the course of their personal and academic development.  

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JobResponsibilitiesThe peer mentor job is a live‐in position which requires that the mentor live on the same floor as residents in the Transfer Community. The Peer Mentor and the Resident Assistant are key staff members who work together to develop a community conducive to student success by encouraging positive behaviors and addressing behaviors that are detrimental to the individual and/or community.  Like all residents, the Peer Mentor must support the Department of Housing & Residential Education policies and has a responsibility as a community member to challenge negative behaviors. Peer Mentors serve many different roles in the community – advisor, helper, friend, advocate, and more.   Some of the specific job responsibilities of the Peer Mentor would be to:  

Mentor a select group of transfer students living on the floor   Facilitate student group discussions and activities   Encourage resident involvement through their own involvement and positive attitude   Assist students in the transition from their previous institution to USF   Act as a liaison between the resident assistant and their transfer students   Maintain resident email list and provide information about the transfer community to all 

members through this list   Follow‐up with individual students as needed   Know basic and standard USF academic requirements, policies, and procedures   Be familiar with and provide referrals to USF support services (Learning Commons, New Student 

Connections, Counseling Center, etc.)   Maintain confidentiality and respect of individual students' rights at all times   Collaborate with the resident assistant to create and facilitate activities during Week of 

Welcome   Meet regularly with the resident assistant to discuss the success of each resident   Serve as an advocate for the interests and needs for residents   Assist in the evaluation of programs, the community, and other initiatives   Attend a monthly meeting with the Residence Life Coordinator  

 

RequirementsofthePeerMentorThe academic success of the Peer Mentor is the top priority of the Department of Housing & Residential Education. In order to apply – and maintain – to be a Peer Mentor, the following requirements must be met:  

Must be a full‐time undergraduate USF student   Must have completed 25 total credit hours prior to the beginning of the Fall semester   Must have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75   Must demonstrate strong curricular and co‐curricular involvement on campus   Must be free of any current University conduct sanction   Must have lived in a residence hall for at least one full semester   Must join at least one student organization such as the Holly Hall Council, Residence Hall 

Association, Transfer Student Organization, or others   Must be available to attend Peer Mentor training in the spring and August prior to the beginning 

of school   

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SkillsNeededtobeaPeerMentorWhile necessary training and resources will be provided to all selected Peer Mentors, it is strongly encouraged that Peer Mentors possess the following skills:  

Ability to act as a positive role model, facilitate group discussion and work with a diverse residential population  

Strong communication and organizational skills   Positive attitude and self‐motivation   Ability to ensure confidentiality  

 BenefitsforthePeerMentorBy serving as a Peer Mentor, students will gain invaluable skills and abilities that will enhance their USF experience, as well as make them more marketable for employment upon graduation. The following benefits will be received by all Peer Mentors:  

$200 dining dollars to be used at dining halls with other transfer students   Move‐in early with the move‐in early fee waived   Participate in on‐going professional development with free food and prizes   Assist USF in fulfilling its mission and goals for transfer residents   Training in communication, group dynamics, facilitation and leadership skills   Experience in facilitating group discussions and activities   Developing and planning a successful living‐learning environment for transfer residents   Establishing meaningful relationships with transfer residents and USF staff members  

  TrainingforthePeerMentorPeer Mentor training consists of bi‐weekly sessions beginning after spring break until the end of the semester. Upon early move‐in, there will be additional training sessions to prepare for residential move‐in. Once the academic year beings, Peer Mentors will participate in on‐going professional development opportunities. Training during the spring and move‐in includes training on the following topics:  

Introduction to the Residential Experience & Transfer Students  Introduction to Peer Mentoring  Communicating Effectively  Understanding Learning  Teaching Academic Success Skills  Diversity and Multicultural Competence  Campus Resources for Student Success   Planning Effective Programs  Mental Health Awareness  Peer Mentor Role in Crisis Situations and Policy Violations  

 All Peer Mentors will participate in sessions together that promote team‐building and address various Residence Life training priorities for all student‐staff. Resident assistants will also be involved in the Peer Mentor training in order to ensure that the mentors and resident assistants build a productive and collaborative relationship.  Training during the second semester of being a Peer Mentor focuses on the core goals of the program:  

Inquire:  o What does it mean to be a leader?  o What does it mean to be part of a team?  

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o What is it like to be a transfer student?  o What is the importance of good communication?  

Explore:  o The Amazing Race  o Disability Training  o Back‐to back drawing  

Engage:  o Community Service  o Committee Work – orientation sessions  o Plan and implement activities during Week of Welcome  

Persuade:  o Discuss ways to get transfer residents engaged in residential and campus activities  

Conclude:  o Design/edit programs to address questions and possible challenges for transfer students 

based on activities.  o Develop techniques to enhance the transfer community experience