Transcript Rider Achievement Program A student centered progression

Rider Achievement
Program
A student centered progression
Advising Locally, Thinking Globally
NACADA
June 9, 2009
Mary Beth Carstens, Associate Director, Student Success Center
Today’s Agenda

Rider Achievement Program







Participants
Components
Goals
Requirements
Assessment and Support
Retention and Academic Success
Discussion
RIDER UNIVERSITY

private, coeducational, nonsectarian university

located in central New Jersey

Four schools and colleges: the College of Business Administration; the College of Liberal Arts,
Education and Sciences; the College of Continuing Studies; and Westminster College of the Arts

60 undergraduate programs; 21 graduate programs

Fall 2008 Enrollment
6,011 students
3958 are Full time UG
(freshman class b/w 900 and 1000)
833 are Part time UG
1220 are Graduate

Student/Faculty Ratio 13:1.

Mascot—Broncs

School colors—Cranberry and white
RIDER ACHIEVEMENT
PROGRAM
Support that makes a difference
Information taken from RAP Fact Sheet sent with acceptance letter:
Why was I admitted through the Rider Achievement Program?
Real success in college and career requires that the individual fully realize his or her potential. You were admitted
through RAP because your academic record shows that you possess promise to succeed at Rider by taking
advantage of the features of RAP that are designed to help you develop your talents and skills.
What is RAP?
The Rider Achievement Program is a unique academic program offered through Rider’s Student Success Center,
where you are empowered with the strategies needed to be an independent and successful learner. RAP offers
first-year students a highly specialized learning experience and is designed to give motivated students the
assistance and guidance to achieve.
How does a student successfully complete RAP?
To successfully complete RAP and matriculate to a Rider University major, you must have a cumulative GPA of
at least 2.00 at the end of your freshman year and successfully complete the Freshman Seminar course.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
 First Year Program
 Undeclared major in Liberal Arts or Business
 4 courses in fall semester
REQUIREMENTS:
 Coaching meetings – at least 3 in first semester
 Tutoring – minimum of 3 times (many take full advantage of
support that is offered)
 Must fulfill all Freshman Seminar requirements, which include
coaching meetings
Student Support Network
Program Goals
To assist students with:
•Transition to college
•Acquisition of study strategies
•Establishment of strong community
SUCCESS
COACHING
COMMUNITY
BUILDING
ACADEMIC
SUPPORT
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
 Four Main Components of RAP




Summer Bridge Program
Linked Community of Learners
Success Coaching
Peer Assistance Program
SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM
A student’s bridge to success
 Takes place the week before school begins
 Great opportunity to meet fellow students and
transition into the Rider community
 Mix of academic work with community-building
activities
“The Summer Bridge Program is the
perfect opportunity to begin coping
with pre-college anxiety.”
- RAP student, Class of 2010, Irvington, NJ
LINKED COMMUNITY OF
LEARNERS
LINKED COURSES
 Connections through readings, assignments and academic
support
 Fall 2009 Links:
 College Reading and History
 Expository Writing and History
 Psychology and Business
 Intro to Expository Writing and Psychology
 All linked with Freshman Seminar
“RAP has not only helped me succeed in college,
it has made me realize what I need to do in order to succeed in the future.”
-RAP student, Class of 2011, Medford, NJ
SAMPLE FALL SCHEDULE

12-13 credits 1st semester
Placement: Introduction to Expository Writing, College Reading
Student is an undecided Liberal Arts major and intends a Psychology degree.
FALL SEMESTER Course Schedule:

NCT 010 Freshman Seminar (pass or fail – 10 weeks - 0 credits)
LINKED WITH
Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
LINKED WITH
Introduction to Expository Writing (3 credits)


College Reading (3 credits)
History (3 credits)


TOTAL CREDITS: 12
 Math typically not taken in first semester
FRESHMAN SEMINAR
10-week seminar for all Rider first-year students
RAP Freshman Seminar Topics Include:

Week #1

Week #2

Week #3


Week #4
Week #5





Week #6
Week #7
Week #8
Week #9
Week #10
“The RAP program has been
my big sister since I started.
The staff gave me positive
reinforcement and genuinely
cared about my progress
here at Rider.”
- RAP student, Class of 2008,
Syllabus review and expectations, assignments,
What’s Rappenin’ and survival kits
Awareness Day show and tell
What’s your learning style?
Toms River, NJ
Facebook
Party Game – Career Exploration
Time Management
Everything that You Wanted to Know About Rider,
But Were Afraid to Ask…
TARA (diversity workshop)
Course Scheduling
Stress Management
Money Management
Wrap up, reflection, evaluation, celebration
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Student Success Center (SSC)
Professional and Peer Tutoring
"RAP made a huge impact on my life and is
the reason why I am succeeding with my
college years."
- RAP student, Class of 2011, Old Bridge, NJ
Content Tutoring

Peer-assisted study sessions

Small group and individual tutoring and Supplemental Instruction


Help students gain academic independence
Address concerns regarding content in specific courses
Writing Lab


Individual tutoring by professionals/peers in writing, reading comprehension and study strategies
Study strategy workshops
Tutor training programs are nationally certified
Math Skills Lab
Provides Math Skills Lab (MTH 100S) for Liberal Arts, Science and Education students
who do not meet placement criteria for college level mathematics

Offers tutoring in the Liberal Arts, Science and Education
math areas
SUCCESS COACHING
 Each RAP student is assigned a RAP Success Coach
(also Freshman Seminar Leader)
 RAP Coach - helps students to assess transition concerns,
academic progress, and tutoring needs
 Examples of possible referrals: Tutoring Services,
Counseling Center, Services for Students with Disabilities
Career Services, Student Organizations
“The Rider Achievement Program gave me personal and
academic guidance during my first year of college.
It made my transition from high school to college
less stressful by providing me with an abundance
of information and support.”
- RAP student, Class of 2011, Point Pleasant, NJ
COACHING TOPICS
Coaching expectations:
 Meet individually with students within first 2 weeks of class, pre-break and post-break – and
any other times as needed.
 Meet as a seminar leader group to discuss how things are going, develop strategies for classes,
coaching, etc.
 Set up meetings during first seminar and ask students to bring course syllabi and calendar
Initial Conversation (get to know), semester expectations review, course
schedule review, goal setting
 Intro yourself, your background. Ask questions of student – where from, high
school experience, etc.
 Revisit program requirements
 Review current course schedule
 How are things going on campus – in your residence hall? With your roommate?
Are you interested in getting involved in any organizations?
Developing a Semester Plan
 Review course syllabi and calendar
 Goal setting exercise
 Set up tutoring
COACHING TOPICS (cont.)
Pre-Break Meeting
What’s working, what isn’t working, what do you need? Begin spring course
scheduling discussions
 Continue conversation about courses and upcoming papers, exams,
quizzes
 Review calendar
 Review goals and strategies for success
 Discuss tutoring
 Life on campus check-in
Post-Break meeting - gearing up for second half of semester
 Revisit goals and strategies for success
 Spring course scheduling
ACADEMIC INTERVENTION AND
CELEBRATION

Mid-semester progress reports from faculty members

RAP Coach and/or Associate Dean of Freshmen assist immediately in the event of a poor
report

Additional supports are quickly put into place

Spring semester: tiered system of requirements and REACH Program for students on
academic probation

Summer Course Grant


RAP Completion Grants




for students in good academic standing
2.75-3.00 GPA - $1,000
3.00-3.50 GPA - $1,500
3.50-4.00 GPA - $2,000
Academic Success Reception in Spring
“The Rider Achievement Program was the perfect
middle road between the safety of home and the
ability to let my son fly. RAP has proved to be a vital
step in his independence. I knew that RAP was there
(and continues to be there) to support him as he
grows in confidence.”
- Parent, Class of 2011, Old Bridge, NJ
PEER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
“Our Peer Assistants showed us the ropes and helped us all
throughout the year.”
- RAP student, Class of 2009, Dayton, NJ
PAs are student leaders trained in areas such as community building and resource
referral
They meet with their group of RAP students during the Summer Bridge Program
and throughout the first year
They also co-coordinate RAP freshman seminars and social and
educational events for the students. Sample of events:
•Halloween Party
•Coffeehouse featuring RAP talent
•“Relay for Life” fundraiser
•Final Exam study breaks
ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
 Surveys
 Summer Bridge
 Freshman Seminar/Mid Semester
 End of Semester
 Focus Groups in spring semester
 GPA and Retention statistics
 RAP Advisory Committee
NEW INITIATIVES
 SOPHOMORE PROGRAM

Workshop Topics







Study Abroad
MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)
Resume and Letter Writing
Networking for Personal and Professional Success
Interviewing Preparation
Events and individual meetings
Individual meeting and tutoring needs based on GPA
Retention and Academic Success
 Retention (over the past 5 years):
 Year prior to program changes:
 62%

Post changes – average of past 4 years:
 78%
 GPA (over the past five years):
 Average GPA increased from 2.26 to 2.64
 Percentage of students with less than 2.00 GPA has decreased
from 27% to 7%
 Percentage of students with 3.00 GPA or higher has risen
from 13% to 25%
Thank you!
DISCUSSION
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.
[email protected] or 609-896-5328