Transforming Educational Trajectories: Needs and Best Practices for Hispanic Students Presenters: Melanie Flores, M.S. HSI STEM Director Adrianna Gonzalez, M.S. HSI STEM Academic Advisor
Transforming Educational Trajectories: Needs and Best Practices for Hispanic Students
Presenters:Melanie Flores, M.S. HSI STEM DirectorAdrianna Gonzalez, M.S. HSI STEM Academic Advisor
2AGENDA & OBJECTIVE
• About NLU• HSI Title III Goals for serving students• Pathways Program• Activity/Discussion• Hispanic Enrolling vs. Hispanic Serving• Best Practices• The Need at NLU• Addressing the need• Suggested Tips
3NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY, 1886
• Mission: Access, Innovation and Excellence
• NLU is one of the oldest and most progressive universities in Chicago.
• Broad Access, four-year, private, non-profit minority-serving, and Title III university
• NLU is one of the largest teacher preparationinstitutions in Chicago.
• Comprised of the National College of Education, the College of Professional Studies, and Advancement and the emerging Undergraduate College
• NLU operates within a distributed structure across six campuses in Illinois and Florida.
NLU as an HSI
5THE GOAL
NLU as an HSI (2016)● Total enrollment: 7,344● Undergraduate: 2,580● Pathways Hispanic Student Population: 70%● Pell Recipients: 82%
Awarded the HSI Title III STEM Grant
● Goal 1: Increase enrollment of Hispanic students intoComputer Science degree pathways
● Goal 2: Increase retention and graduation of our Hispanic students
● Goal 3: Increase faculty and staff understanding and use of culturally relevant teaching and coaching strategies
6PATHWAYS at NLU
Harrison Professional Pathways Program is designed to support students transition into college. Transitioning into our Undergraduate College. ● A Foundation for Success
○ $10,000 tuition (Pell & Map Grant, Scholarships)○ First two years of general Education, Back two years of Major courses & Career Support
● A Clear Pathway○ 3 Tracks for students to choose
■ Business, General Education, and Education
● A Convenient Choice○ Flexible schedule, 2 days a week on campus
● A Supportive Environment○ Appreciative Advising/Coach Model○ Instruction & Class Model
7HISPANIC ENROLLING VS. HISPANIC SERVING
• Enrollment of Hispanic Students grew to above 70% FTE UG• Serve: perform duties or services for (another person or an organization) • The HSI Team at NLU has a mission of truly providing quality services to our
underrepresented student population.
Culturally Relevant Practices that “Serve” Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution. Gina Garcia and Otgonjargal Okhidoi, 2015.
Year Hispanic Student Population
2016 234
2017 547
2018 865
Best Practices Activity
9ACTIVITY: DISCUSSION & SHARE
Break up into small groups and discuss the following:
• How do you define/use best practices within your institution?• What are some best practices in place at your institution?• What are some best practices needed at your institution?
Choose one person in your group to share with the larger group
NLU & Best Practices
11BEST PRACTICES
Institutional Interventions● 2+2 Articulation with Community College● Peer Mentor program● Faculty development seminars● Department student science awards● Research Symposium● Undergraduate research course credit/ Research program● Reading Center/Lab● Learning Communities (non-residential)● Program for first generation students● Early Warning system● Comprehensive learning assistance center/lab● Advising interventions for selected student populations
Development and Implementation of Targeted STEM Retention Strategies at HSI, Anthony Carpi, Darcy M. Ronan, Heather M. Falconer, Heather H. Boyd, and Nathan H. Lents, 2013, Immunity to Change, Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey, 2006.
12NLU’S CURRENT BEST PRACTICES
Institutional Interventions at NLU
● 2+2 Articulation with Community College○ Co-Enrollment Collaboration Grant with Morton College
● Faculty development seminars○ 3 Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy PD’s each year
● Program for first generation students○ Pathways Program
● Advising interventions for selected student populations○ Appreciative/Intrusive Advising Model
The Need at NLUData
14Data Collection Steps
1. Noel-Levitz Survey2. Director of Institutional Research3. Executive Director of Assessment and Accreditation4. Data Deep Dive Sessions5. Focus Groups6. Analyze
15MATH & SCIENCE GPA
2015 - 2016 2016 - 2017 2017 - 2018 Total Average GPA for 3 AY’s
Row Labels
Average GPA
Count of Grade
Average GPA
Count of Grade
Average GPA
Count of Grade
MTH 1.64 34 2.48 195 2.659 144 2.474
SCI 3.38 54 2.61 291 2.933 529 2.855
Grand Total
2.715 88 2.56 486 2.875 673 2.741
16RETENTION & GRADUATION RATES
Grant YearCollection Year
Pre-Grant2015
Year 12016
Year 22017
Year 32018
Fall-to-Fall Retention
26/36 Starts – 72% 152/206 starts – 74% 270/372 starts – 73% n/a
4-Year Graduation Rate
(2-Year & 4-Year)
27/92- 29% 30/87 -34% 41/108 - 38% 35/93 -38%
6-Year Graduation Rate
(4-Year)
34/61 - 56% 45/92 - 49% 54/92 - 59% 51/87 - 59%
17THE NEED AT NLU
Data showed• Low graduation rates• Average retention rates• Low Science Grades in recent academic year
18ADDRESSING THE NEED
• Looked at what best practices were included in our proposal• Addressed which best practices were not included but would be beneficial
to our students and address the need
Grant Goal Activity/Best Practice Additional Best Practice
Increase retention and graduation rates
● Advising/coaching model● Bridge Experience● Library resources/learning
support● Articulated Internship
Opportunities
● Peer Mentorship● Advising Model with
Culturally Responsive Advising Practices
Helpful Tips
20TIPS/Summary
• Analyze internal institutional data (data for internal purposes)• Identify the gaps and the need• Tailor services to meet those needs• If funded by grant, write a request for budget amendment• What tips do you have?
21
Friendly Reminder to please fill out workshop survey!
22
Melanie Flores, MSHSI STEM Director
Adrianna Gonzalez, MSHSI Academic Advisor 312-261-3885 [email protected]
23NOTES FROM DISCUSSION
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B-qlIKbFcad42r5-S4AzJ_QOr3d7wZ2g5pXuu4ArCOo/edit?usp=sharing