ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

                                         


First Year Success Program
                                            
Administrative or Educational Support Unit

September 2003 to August 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 2004
Date Submitted

Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission/Goal(s) Reference:
Texas A&M International University, a Member of the Texas A&M University System, is committed to the preparation of students for leadership roles in their chosen profession and in an increasingly complex, culturally diverse state, national, and global society … Through instruction, faculty and student research, and public service, Texas A&M International University is a strategic point of delivery for well-defined programs and services that improve the quality of life for citizens of the border region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities.

Administrative or Educational Support Unit Mission Statement:
The Texas A & M International University First Year Success Program is dedicated to enhancing the educational, career, and personal success of first-time students attending as freshmen or as transfer students of higher levels.  Student success is promoted by coordinating an array of services that are responsive to our students’ unique needs, and by personally linking the students to the appropriate service, such as tutoring, counseling, job-seeking, test preparation, financial aid and other university support services.  This is accomplished by an array of communication formats, such as face to face advising at time of need, phone calls to disseminate relevant information, and social gatherings to bring students and staff together in informal settings.  In addition, the program offers staff accessibility throughout the day and well into the evening, thus assuring a support network throughout the difficult first year university experience.

Intended Administrative Objectives:

1. First-time students will be satisfied with the services provided by the First Year Success Program.

2. Transfer students will be satisfied with the services provided by the First Year Success Program.

3. Students attending workshops sponsored by the First Year Success Program will be satisfied with the services provided.

 

 

  

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

First Year Success Program                                            
Administrative or Educational Support Unit

September 2003 to August 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Administrative or Educational Support Objective:

1. First-time students will be satisfied with the services provided by the First Year Success Program.

First Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
1a. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Number of first-time students served will be documented at every program event to provide information for data collection.  Students will be asked to complete a satisfaction survey indicating their rating of ‘satisfied, very satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied’.  No more than 10% of students will respond ‘dissatisfied or very dissatisfied’.   Feedback will be sought from telephone and face-to-face discussions with students whose grades do not meet University expectations of good standing at mid-term and end of semester.  First-time students will be periodically contacted throughout their first year to track student progress and documented on program database.  Information will be shared with established Retention Committees to better plan for program services to first-time students. 

1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Surveys results indicated a 90% satisfaction rate for workshop participants.  Students evaluated their satisfaction based on feeling connected with the program.  Results indicated the majority of students were satisfied with program services and were likely to continue participation.  Those in the minority chose not to respond to satisfaction; however indicated no improvements were necessary to program services.  Mid-term and end of semester telephone and face-to-face contacts indicated students were requiring greater referrals to student support services on campus to prevent loosing good standing status.  Students reported requiring greater skills preparation in time-management, study skills, scheduling and spending more time on campus accessing services as first-time students.  Students responded well to program referrals and problem-solving discussions.

1a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
Evaluation results will serve for following year assessment report with the target goal of increased student service and satisfaction impacting re-enrollment.



ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

First Year Success Program                                            
Administrative or Educational Support Unit

September 2003 to August 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Administrative or Educational Support Objective:

2. Transfer students will be satisfied with the services provided by the First Year Success Program.

First Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
2a. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Number of transfer students served will be documented at every program event to provide information for data collection.  Students will be asked to complete a satisfaction survey indicating their rating of ‘satisfied, very satisfied, dissatisfied, very dissatisfied’.  No more than 10% of students will respond ‘dissatisfied or very dissatisfied’.

2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Surveys were implemented July 2003 and to date, evaluation comparisons indicate that 90 % of students served reportedly were ‘very satisfied’ with program activities and services.  The additional 10% indicated they were likely to use program services; however had no rating for existing services.  A total of 75% of the student population served had heard about the program.  Further, 80% had been contacted by this program to measure student satisfaction, academic progress and use of student support services.

2a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
Evaluation results will serve for following year assessment report with the target goal of increased student services and satisfaction impacting re-enrollment of the new student cohort.



ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

First Year Success Program                                            
Administrative or Educational Support Unit

September 2003 to August 2004
Assessment Period Covered        

July 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Administrative or Educational Support Objective:
3. Students attending workshops sponsored by the First Year Success Program will be satisfied with the services provided.

First Means of Assessment for Objective Identified Above:
3a. Means of Unit Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Data gathered from workshop attendance sheets will show evaluation results indicating level of satisfaction of ‘It’s OK, It’s Great! It could be improved, and no opinion’.  In addition, surveys ask for student feedback on areas of interest, how student became aware of workshop and program services, least and most interest about event, and any additional comments for improvement.  Evaluation of workshops will reflect a 70% student satisfaction rate.

3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Workshop held in November 2003 was attended by 80 students.  Survey results indicated 84% student satisfaction rating of ‘It’s great!’ and 16% rating of ‘It’s OK’.  Further, 50% of students told us they heard about the workshop through campus announcements (posters, flyers), 40% said they heard from friends, and 10% said they heard from an alternate source.  Also 60% of students provided us with additional positive comments on their workshop attendance experience.

3a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
The First Year Success Program will continue to outline areas of student need and provide the necessary workshops and staff training to meet identified needs.  Students will attend the workshops to secure their success at the University.  Topics will be selected based on areas of interest identified by student surveys.