The Student Success Initiatives program will investigate and pursue areas/initiatives in which greater student success is needed.
Objective
Student Success Advisory Board
The newly appointed Student Success Advisory Board is composed of a representative from each college, institutional research, student services, TRIO programs, the advising center, and enrollment management. This board will recommend initiatives to pursue.
Indicator
Sophomore Success Initiatives
The board will meet and decide on issues to pursue related to students persisting from their 2nd year to 3rd year at SHSU. The board will develop and approve of an action plan designed to increase the persistence rate of these students.
Criterion
Sophomore Success Action Plan Developed
The sophomore success action plan will be completed and parts will have been initiated by the end of the spring semester.
Finding
Sophomore Success Action Plan
Attached is the Student Success Action Plan. Under the 30-59 hours column, the initiatives listed until yellow are the ones that we are in the process of implementing. They are an Exploring Majors Fair, mentoring programs, McNair Scholars and Study Abroad. All will be completed by the end of the academic year or are planned for the fall semester.
Indicator
Student Success Advisory Board Meetings
The board will meet monthly during long semesters.
Criterion
Meeting Summaries Completed
Meeting summaries are written following each meeting.
Finding
Meeting Summaries
Meeting summaries for all meetings in this academic year are attached. The board did meet monthly during long semesters.
Action
Further Action Plan Implementation
The initiatives in red are ones that we do not currently have and are not actively implementing. We will continue to look at these initiatives to pursue.
Action
Continuation Of Meeting
The board will continue to meet monthly during long semesters.
Objective
Veteran Success Initiatives
To provide for the unique needs of military veterans.
Indicator
SAM 136 For Military Veterans
SAM 136 course will be tailored for and offered to military veterans.
Criterion
SAM 136 For Military Veterans - Spring, 2010
SAM 136 for military veterans will be offered in Spring, 2010.
Finding
One-Year Retention Rates
Class did not make in the spring semester. No retention rates to report.
Action
Offer Class During Fall 2010 Semester.
Fall is the best time to offer SAM 136, so this class will once again be offered in Fall, 2010.
Objective
Former Foster Youth Initiatives
To provide for the unique needs of former foster students, orphans, and wards of the state.
Indicator
FORWARD Project
A university-wide committee was formed. The former foster youth project was officially named the FORWARD Project. The committee will develop and approve of an action plan designed to meet the unique needs of this population.
Criterion
FORWARD Project Action Plan
The FORWARD action plan will be completed and parts will have been initiated by the end of the spring semester.
Finding
FORWARD Action Plan
Attached is the Forward Action Plan. The shaded rows are the tasks that have been completed. Unshaded rows are still in the process of being completed.
Action
Further FORWARD Action Plan Implementation
A new action plan will be developed over the summer to plan for the initiatives for next academic year. Some of these initiatives include developing the advisory board, implementing personal and career mentoring programs, and making more contact with a population that doesn’t want to be singled-out.
Objective
Sophomore Success Initiatives
To improve the persistence of students moving from their 2nd to 3rd year at SHSU.
Indicator
Sophomore Success Issues
The Student Success Advisory Board decided to pursue issues related to students persisting from their 2nd year to 3rd year at SHSU. The board will develop and approve of an action plan designed to increase the persistence rate of students from their 2nd to 3rd year at SHSU.
Criterion
Sophomore Success Action Plan
The sophomore action plan will be completed and parts will have been initiated by the end of the spring semester.
Finding
Sophomore Success Action Plan 09-10
Attached is the Student Success Action Plan. Under the 30-59 hours column, the initiatives listed until yellow are the ones that we are in the process of implementing. They are an Exploring Majors Fair, mentoring programs, McNair Scholars and Study Abroad. All will be completed by the end of the academic year or are planned for the fall semester.
Criterion
2nd Year Student Survey, Institutional Research Reports, & AIR Paper
A sophomore survey will be distributed to all students who are in their 2nd full year at SHSU during the spring semester. Institutional Research will produce reports dealing with sophomore students at the request of the SSAB. Institutional Research will present a paper on sophomore issues at AIR. Data from this report will be used.
Finding
Survey Results
Results from the survey and paper will help guide the programs/services initiated for sophomore success. The 2nd Year Survey revealed that the areas that students would like most improvement in include having more things to do in Huntsville, a better social network, and better school spirit. The AIR Presentation revealed that 2nd year students are better retained if they have a higher GPA and take no or less remedial classes .
Action
Further Sophomore Action Plan Implementation
The initiatives in red are ones that we do not currently have and are not actively implementing. We will continue to look at these initiatives to pursue.
Action
Specific Results Requiring Action
The suggestions for follow-up on the results include holding focus groups to glean more information from 2nd year students. There is a need to explore why these students are not connecting. The results from the AIR presentation are consistent with other studies that reveal the importance of GPA and remedial work on the retention of students. Social and academic factors continue to need to be addressed for this population.
Objective
Transfer Student Success Initiatives
To provide for the unique needs of students transferring into SHSU.
Indicator
Transfer Success
Transfer students need initiatives tailored to meet their unique needs.
Criterion
Transfer Success Action Plan
An action plan will be developed to increase transfer success.
Finding
Transfer Success Action Plan
Attached is the Student Success Action Plan. Under the Transfers column, the initiatives listed until yellow are the ones that we are in the process of implementing. They are Academic Coach for Transfers, an Exploring Majors Fair, a Transfer Academic Choices Guide, and Study Abroad. All will be completed by the end of the academic year or are planned for the fall semester.
Action
Further Transfer Action Plan Implementation
The initiatives in red are ones that we do not currently have and are not actively implementing. We are looking into implementation of a few of these such as an online community, a residence hall area for transfers, and publicizing of organization fairs to promote involvement on campus.
Objective
SHSU P-16 Council
To ensure the shared students of area educational entities (school districts and community colleges) are ready for success in their post high school endeavors whether that is college or a career. The Sam Houston State University P-16 Council is a group of educators, community members, and legislators in this geographical area.
Indicator
SHSU P-16 Council Meetings
The council will meet three times per year to discuss college and career readiness issues.
Criterion
Meeting Agendas Completed & Attendance Logs Kept
Meeting agendas are developed for each meeting. Attendance logs for each meeting are kept.
Finding
Meeting Agendas
Meeting agendas for all meetings in this academic year are attached. The council met twice and the steering committee met once.
Criterion
SHSU P-16 Council Action Plan
The SHSU P-16 Council action plan will be completed and parts will have been initiated by the end of the spring semester.
Finding
SHSU P-16 Council Action Plan
Attached is the action plan that was completed by the SHSU P-16 Special Advisor.
Action
Continuation Of Council Meetings
The council will strive to meet three times per year in addition to steering committee meetings.
Action
Further P-16 Action Plan Implementation
Most actions were completed, but not all. The council only met twice, so it will meet three times next year. The steering committee will meet on a more regular basis. The newsletter will be published on a more regular basis. The council will continue to consider issues around college and career readiness.