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

312-261-3537mflores36@nl.edu

Adrianna Gonzalez, MSHSI Academic Advisor 312-261-3885 agonzalez44@nl.edu

23NOTES FROM DISCUSSION

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B-qlIKbFcad42r5-S4AzJ_QOr3d7wZ2g5pXuu4ArCOo/edit?usp=sharing