Black Student Retention and Success The University of ...
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BLACK STUDENT RETENTION AND SUCCESS THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO BLACK STUDENT UNION FRESHMAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Joel Todd Guidance Coordinator, UT Upward Bound Program, former BSU Student Leader Martino Harmon Dean of Student Dev. Rhodes State College, former Director of UT African American Student Enrichment Ohio FYE Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio October 16, 2009
Transcript of Black Student Retention and Success The University of ...
BLACK STUDENT RETENTION AND SUCCESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDOBLACK STUDENT UNIONFRESHMAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Joel ToddGuidance Coordinator, UT Upward Bound Program, former BSU Student Leader
Martino HarmonDean of Student Dev. Rhodes State College, former Director of UT African American Student EnrichmentOhio FYE Conference, Cincinnati, OhioOctober 16, 2009
BSU Freshman Leaders
Rights of Passage
BSU Freshman Leadership
Overview Need for Effective Sustainable Black Student
Leadership Poor Retention of UT African American Students African American Student Enrichment Initiatives and
the First Year Experience Program Proposal for BSU Freshman Leadership Program “FLP” FLP Recruitment, Curriculum, Structure FLP Activities Outcomes (data and impact on BSU/campus
leadership) Past, Present, and Future Challenges Testimonials from Past Participants
Situational Analysis: Black Student Leadership and Success
Black Student Success at UT
Large increases in enrollment of new direct-from-high school African American students between 2000-2004
Many students underprepared, first-generation
Students expressed a feeling of disconnect from campus resources
First-to-second year retention dips below 50%
Six-year graduation rate 22%
Black Student Leadership Strong leadership from
early to mid-2000’s (Alcorn, Braylock, Tucker administrations)
Concerns about Black student leadership include: Sustainability Consistency Turnover Academic success Effectiveness
Lack of Black leadership in predominately White campus organizations
Data provided by UT Office of Institutional Research
Black Student Union FLP
The BSU FLP was created in fall semester 2005 to create servant-minded, effective, and sustainable African American student leaders that can transform life for students enrolled at The University of Toledo, and make a difference in the Toledo community. FLP focuses in six core areas:
1.Academic Success
2.Career Exploration & Development
3.Community Engagement
4.Cultural-Social Education
5.Leadership Development
6.Mentorship
Support from: African American Student Enrichment Initiatives
Created in February 2005 to provide support services and programs that target African American students at UT in an effort to promote success. AASEIO programs include:
Office that serves as a resource/referral center
Weekly “Reaching African American Potential” RAAP Sessions
Enrichment Institute Orientation Dr. Lancelot Thompson
Recognition Program Special Workshops for Freshmen Access to leadership and
mentorship Diversity Scholars Meeting Graduation Recognition with
BSU
Funding for FLP Provided by UT First Year Experience Program
The UT Division of Academic Affairs provided competitive institutional grant funding from the Ohio Academic Success Challenge. Examples of other funded programs include:
African American Student Enrichment Initiatives
Office of Latino Initiatives Living-Learning Floors Supplemental Instruction Mentorship Programs Service Learning
FLP Recruitment and Selection BSU and AASEIO
combined tables during UT Rocket Launch Orientation
Applications reviewed by BSU
Students selected for interviews in early fall semester
Approximately 60 interviewed for 30 spots
Orientation and Fall Retreat
New FLP Member orientation held second week of fall semester
Fall Retreat: training session and ropes course designed to give students and foundation, and bond the new class
FLP Leadership Development
Curriculum“The Mindset of a Servant Leader”
The Blueprint for Success”“Losers Retreat, Winners Regroup”
“When All Else Fails..Let Your Mission Lead You”Fiscal Management
Leadership Dev and Conflict MgtBudget Management
TextbooksDeveloping Leadership Abilities by Arthur Bell and Dayle Smith.The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson.Take Your Leadership to the Next Level! The Seven Secrets of
Thriving Student Leaders by Jonathan Sprinkles.
Additional Leadership Development Activities
•Group Projects focused on problem solving, program planning, budget management
•Journal entries
•Short essays on outcomes
•Pre and Post Self Assessments
•Academic Planning and Goal-Setting
Community Service & Campus Leadership Experiences
Community Service
•Mentoring kids and cleaning at the Grace Community Center
•UT Dance Marathon
•Big Event Community Clean-Up with UT Student Leaders
Campus Leadership Experiences
•State Government Leadership Trip with Leadership UT Class
•Meeting with Jeff Johnson, Black Entertainment TV
Political Analyst ,former UT Student Leader and
•Workshop with Cornell McBride, pharmacist and entrepreneur
Spring Capstone Retreat
Maumee Bay State Park
Trust WalkReview of Lessons
Games and IcebreakersTalent Competition
RecreationCapstone Exam
EvaluationRights of Passage
Retreat planned with the assistance of the UT Office of Student Activities and Leadership
FLP Graduation
Assessment
The following tools and information have been used to assess the outcomes of students participating in the BSU Freshman Leadership Program
• Retention reports• Grade point averages• Journal entries• End of course paper• Capstone exams• Pre and Post Self-Assessments• Program Evaluations• FLP Grads involved in leadership positions in BSU
and other organizations
All African-American DHS Students 482 490 78.4% 79.6%All African-American DHS Non-Participants 458 450 77.3% 78.3%ACT-Matched Non-Participants 24 22 83.3% 86.4%BSU-FLP Participants 24 22 100.0% 95.5%
2005 2006 2005 2006
Cohort Size Percent Retained
Freshman Leadership Program vs. Comparison GroupsFall-to-Spring Retention
Fall 2005 and 2006 Cohorts
Freshman Leadership Program vs. Comparison GroupsFall-to-Fall Retention
Fall 2005 and 2006 Cohorts
Cohort Size Percent Retained
2005 2006 2005 2006
All African-American DHS Students 482 490 51.5% 52.0%All African-American DHS Non-Participants 458 450 49.8% 50.6%ACT-Matched Non-Participants 24 22 50.0% 50.0%BSU-FLP Participants 24 22 83.3% 86.4%
2005 2006 2005 2006All African-American DHS Students 482 490 2.53 2.51All African-American DHS Non-Participants 458 450 2.50 2.49ACT-Matched Non-Participants 24 22 2.66 2.78BSU-FLP Participants 24 22 2.99 2.89
Cohort Size High School GPA
Freshman Leadership Program vs. Comparison GroupsHigh School GPAs
Fall 2005 and 2006 Cohorts
Student Testimonials
My view on leadership has changed since the program started…Instead of trying to just run things, I’ve learned to listen and get feedback from others. I’m more open-minded.”
“Now when I think of a leader it is someone who is dedicated, teachable, coachable, and doesn’t have to be in the spotlight”
“I plan on leading for the rest of my life and doing as much on campus as I can.”
“This program has made me more focused in school, and has raised my grades and view on school.”
“Yes [this program has enhanced my first semester as a freshman when compared to my freshmen peers], I am more focused as a freshman leader as opposed to my freshmen peers. I really try to succeed to be the best I can be.”
“I have more friends I can depend on and I know I need to work on my attitude and my leadership skills.”
Past, Current, and Future Challenges Some students experienced difficulties
overcoming academic and financial challenges
Program retention (some students drop out) Funding lost due to state budget cuts Changing institution priorities (FYE program
restructured) Difficulty in achieving high expectations of
student leadership outcomes
Desired Outcomes
• Higher first-to-second year retention as compared to their peers with similar academic credentials
• Students develop a stronger connection to the institution
• Students assuming leadership roles in the Black Student Union and on-campus
• Students develop a special bond as FLP graduates (pride)
• Students develop a sense of responsibility to give back to the campus and Toledo community
FLP Graduates Involvement
FLP Grads Participation in Organizations or Programs• Resident Advisor• UT Honors Program• Student Government• Campus Activities and Programming “CAP”• Camp Adventure• UT NAACP• University of Toledo Restoration Praise Choir• Student African American Brotherhood• UT Student Ambassadors• UT Gear Up Program Tutors• UT FYE Film Festival Participants• Fraternities and Sororities (National PanHellenic Groups)• 4-African American Women “4AW”• UT Service Learning Program
What Can You Do: Recommendations1. Consider starting a group on your campus
that focuses on an underperforming group, or a diversity leadership group
2. Train an existing group of students before starting with freshmen so it will become a student-driven initiative the following year
3. Propose a living-learning community for the students if possible
4. Write grants to develop a variety of funding sources
5. Plan to continue to develop the leadership skills in year two
BLACK STUDENT RETENTION AND SUCCESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDOBLACK STUDENT UNIONFRESHMAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Joel [email protected]
Martino [email protected]
