UMKC’s A2S Initiative

An initiative of the University of Missouri System, the National

Association of System Heads (NASH) and the Education Trust

UMKC A2S Initiative

• Access to Success Initiative (A2S) goal is to increase access and success (graduation) rates for low income students and underrepresented minorities as defined by the Education Trust/NASH

• Halve the gap between the target populations and the undergraduate student populations as a whole.

Access to Success (A2S) Initiative

• There are 24 state university systems involved in this national initiative.

• Within the 24 systems, there are 378 campuses and 3 million students

• All are committed to cutting access and success gaps for low-income and underrepresented minority students in half by 2015

Access to Success (A2S) Initiative

California State University System

Connecticut State University System

State University System of Florida

University of Hawaii System

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Ed

University of Louisiana System

Louisiana Board of Regents

Southern University A&M College System

University of Missouri System

University System of Maryland

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

Montana University System

City University of New York

State University of New York

University of North Carolina System

University System of Ohio

PA State System of Higher Education

University of Puerto Rico System

Rhode Island Board of Governors

South Dakota Board of Regents

Tennessee Board of Regents

Vermont State Colleges

University of Wisconsin System

UMKC A2S Initiative

• System Plan– Coordinated with the development of campus plan– Lead by Deborah Noble Triplett, appointed by

President Forsee• Campus Plans

– Mel Tyler appointed by Chancellor Morton to lead UMKC plan after Cindy Pemberton stepped down

– Campus A2S team in place to develop plan and assist the Chancellor in monitoring our strategies and progress toward meeting goals

UMKC A2S Team Members

• Mel Tyler, Chair• Larry Bunce• Veronica Castro• Jennifer DeHaemers• Maithe Enriquez

• Kristi Ryujin• Dianne Smith• Doug Swink• W.C. Vance• Tiffany Williams

UMKC A2S Initiative

• Role of the team is to:– Analyze data regarding the target populations– Identify the gaps in both access and success for

these students– Make recommendations on how to address the

gaps– Ensure that targeted populations are being

considered in university initiatives

UMKC A2S Initiative

• The larger issue here is UMKC’s overall low graduation and retention rates for all students

• While we will work to meet the goals of the initiative, we want to increase retention and graduation rates for all students as stated in our strategic plan

UMKC A2S Initiative

• UMKC team identified barriers to access and success for the target populations and the goals of A2S

• Developed a plan based on these goals and the UMKC Strategic Plan

• Based on 6 key areas

UMKC A2S Initiative

• Ensure financial support for target populations

• Provide High-Impact Learning Experiences

• Enhance the teaching and learning environment, specifically addressing strategies for target populations

UMKC A2S Initiative

• Ensure student academic progress to degree completion for target populations

• Build an inclusive environment and campus culture for all students, staff and faculty

• Build a data-driven culture to support degree completion

UMKC A2S Initiative

• It will take the campus community to reach the goals

• Some initiatives begin now while others start over the next couple of years

• Students enrolling and enrolled now are the ones to be impacted

UMKC A2S Initiative

• The A2S plan is aligned with UMKC Strategic Plan

• Special emphasis on monitoring the effectiveness of our strategies in positively impacting the target populations

• Accountability

• Data and Performance management

• Routines – regular reporting to system President and UMKC Chancellor and Direct Reports

UMKC A2S Initiative

• Specific Goals

• Leading Indicators of Success

UMKC A2S Initiative:baseline data

UMKC A2S Initiative: baseline data

UMKC A2S Initiative: baseline data

UMKC A2S Initiative: baseline data

UMKC A2S Initiative: Goals

UMKC Leading Indicators of Success• Track requests for transcripts being sent to

other higher education institutions• Delinquent in making payment on UMKC fees• Withdrawal from any courses yet still enrolled• Total withdrawal from UMKC• A2S populations take advantage of priority

registration periods

UMKC Leading Indicators of Success• Review performance of transfer

students who enter with– 0-30 credit hours– 31-60 credit hours– 61+ credit hours– an Associate in Arts degree– a GPA of 2.0 – 3.0– a GPA of 3.1 – 4.0

UMKC Leading Indicators of Success• Review performance of freshman and

transfer students who enter deciding vs. decided

• 80% completion rate per semester and at year’s end

• 12 credit hours completed per semester

• 24 credit hours completed per year

UMKC Leading Indicators of Success• Freshman enrolled in college level math

first semester/first year

• Freshman enrolled in college level English first semester/first year

• Completed college level math and English first semester/first year

UMKC Leading Indicators of Success• Review performance of first year

students who had less than 4 years of high school English and math

• Review ACT and Core GPA in high school and correlate to student success

UMKC Leading Indicators of Success• A huge effort but national research

would indicate we are on the right path

• Currently gathering baseline data on all indicators

• Will track on a semester or annual basis

• Develop intervention strategies based on data