Report Submission - ID: 17Admin104

Author(s):

Darlene Samson

Unit of Analysis ID Number: 181

Sector: Provost

Division : TRIO student Support Services

Unit for Assessment: TRIO Student Support Services

State the mission, objectives, and primary functions of this unit. :

Mission:

A. TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at the University of Montana is a federally funded program (Dept. of Education) committed to increasing the rates of academic achievement, retention, and graduation of underrepresented students—first generation, low-income as well as those with disabilities. TRIO helps students overcome social, cultural, and academic barriers to succeed in higher education.

TRIO SSS has been on campus since 1978 to serve 375 students/year; we are in our third year of five year funding. Under the Division of Academic Affairs, we report to the Office for Student Success (OSS).

Objectives: (per proposal)

1. 80% of all participants will persist from one academic year to the beginning of next academic year, or, will have earned a bachelor’s degree... 2. 80% of all enrolled participants being served by TRIO SSS will meet the performance level required to stay in good academic standing. 3. 35% of new participants served each year will graduate from UM with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent within six (6) years.

Primary Function-provide comprehensive, innovative and intensive academic and personal growth services to eligible students promoting academic success and ultimately moving students to graduate with a degree. We accomplish this by the following services:

 Instruction in C & I 160, Learning Strategies for Higher Education, 2 credit elective  Professional academic advising  Free Tutoring  Peer Mentoring  Academic success coaching  Career and Major exploration and planning (closely with Career Services)  Help with FAFSA completion and troubleshoot financial aid issues; scholarships  Workshops  Referral to campus and community resources

Identify the primary users of the unit.:

Internal: Primary users are enrolled students who are first-generation or, low-income or students with disabilities. Much of our student advocacy relies upon many collaborations we maintain with:

 Faculty-student advocacy, class presentations  OSS – Advising Conversations and Certificate training administration;  Undergraduate Advising Center-training, information, referral  Writing Center-sub-contract to evaluate student’s writing in C & I classes  American Indian Student Services-committees, student support  Financial Aid – troubleshooting, FAFSA helps sessions; scholarships; Pell eligible students  Registrar  Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)  Business Services  Curry Health – Stress Anxiety Seminar and referrals  Enrollment Services – orientations; refer new students  Admissions-transcript evaluations; generates lists of first-gen students  UM Administration

External: TRIO works with:

 Pre-admit students and parents; high school counselors; transfer students  TRIO affiliates state-wide at two and four year institutions  We are partners with the U.S. Department of Education as our funding source and grantee.  Members of: o MT ASPIRE o MT College Access Network MCAN) o ASPIRE-regional association; o Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) o National Academic Association, (NACADA) o Montana Senators, Tester & Daines, and Representative Gianforte.

Submit Organizational Chart : 17Admin104_SubmitOrganizationalChart_0926012423.pdf

Complete the FTE Detail Excel spreadsheet provided in the link below.: 17Admin104_CompletetheFTEDetailExcelspreadsheetprovidedinthelinkbelow_0929054913.pdf

Using the space below, address any issues with your FTE Detail Sheet.: TRIO's fiscal year runs September 1 to August 31st. I was able to decipher that FTE differences were most likely taken as a sanpchat to meet the universities fiscal year, July 1-June 30th.

TRIO SSS has the following staff and FTE:

Director - 1 FTE

Program Coordinator - 1 FTE Advisor/Tutor Coordinator - 1 FTE

Instructors (2) -.86 FTE

Academic Success Coach - .4 FTE

Advisor Coach - .36 FTE

Clerical Wrok Study (2) -.36 FTE

Tutors (7-10) - .20

Mentors - (7) -.20

Finance: Budget and Financial Planning,Purchasing/Procurement,Accounts Payable,Manage Student Accounts in Banner

Research: Pre-award,Post-award

Human Resources: Employee Training,Employee Hiring (recruitment through on-boarding),Payroll Processing

Communications: Marketing and Communications,Website Maintenance/Development,Social Media,Event Planning

Development: Fundraising

Information Technology: Application Development/maintenance,Provide unit with server and desktop support.

Student Services: Academic Advising,Admissions/recruitment,Career Service Advising,Financial Aid awarding

Criteria 1. - Bullet 1.: TRIO SSS IS a campus partner for student success, supporting, and creating student services to increase student persistence, retention and graduation rates of underprivileged students.

Leadership: TRIO staff hold numerous campus, community, state, regional and national leadership positions. Presently, TRIO Director is a board member of COE and president-elect of our regional association; staff has chaired DiverseU; held leadership roles in Staff Senate; Chair of MT College Access Network, Co-Chair of NACADA regional conference and more we present opportunities to students as well to gain leadership as TRIO Mentors and tutors.

Engagement – TRIO educates students through instruction (C& I 160), excellent academic advising, and mentoring education and consistently evaluates services to ensure students not only gain knowledge but grow as individuals who engage in campus or community engagement. We believe in a growth mindset for our students, one that embraces the belief that students can learn more, and view challenges and failures as springboards to new opportunities. Diversity –We endeavor to celebrate the uniqueness of all cultures with appreciation and understanding and embrace as a unit that is inclusive. We appreciate and seek out opportunities which allow us to appreciate diversity through training, education, and work with people/students of all ethnic backgrounds. No boundaries exist in TRIO services.

Sustainability – TRIO’s sustainability lies in continuation of meeting program goals, writing a high quality proposal every five years, and collaborations with campus, community and nationally (Congress) to preserve access to education for those who may not have a voice.

Criteria 1. - Bullet 2.: Low-income students are being left behind. Only 38% of low-income high school seniors go straight to college as compared to 81% of their peers in higher income quartile. Once enrolled in college, low-income students earn bachelor’s degrees at the rate that is less than half of their high- income peers-21% as compared with 45%. Tremendous achievement gaps in educational attainment exist for students who may have talent and potential. TRIO is unique. No other program exists on campus, held in one location, to support a specific population. TRIO receives students where they are and guides them with essential services to succeed and engages with students to use their strengths and weaknesses as opportunities for growth.

First generation students have difficulties navigating the many nuances of higher education from applying to college, seeking financial aid, understanding policies and procedures of higher education and learning. TRIO endeavors to circumvent problems before they happen through comprehensive services.

With funding to serve 375 students, staff are able to provide more one-one and intensive services. In AY 2016-17, staff held 2,420 contacts with TRIO students. We utilize best practices; enhance programming constantly to ensure student success. Without TRIO SSS vulnerable students would more likely stop our or give up.

Fortunately, we have benefitted by increases in funding in the past two years which have allowed us to increase personnel and enhance services. If loss of funding occurs, most likely part-time staff would be cut and services or resources would be reduced.

Criteria 2. - Bullet 1.: We are funded to serve 375 students per year and always reach this goal and sometimes over. Prior to 2015, UM did not identify first-gen students. The application for admission now includes a question identifying students’ parental educational level. With this information, TRIO SSS is able to identify first-gen, low-income students who are eligible for the program.

According to UM’s Spring Census Report, 2016 and 2017: Spring calculations of first-time freshmen who were first-generation: AY 2017 = 2,525 students

AY 2016 = 2,610

Pell Eligible students: Common Data Sets-

UM AY 2016-17 = 1,011

AY 2015-16 = 2,751

AY 2014-15 = 1,454 AY 2013-14 = 1,809

AY 2012-13 = 1,314

Students with disabilities:

AY 2016-17 = 1,011

AY 2015-16 = 1,107

AY 2014-15 = 893 AY

2013-14 = No data AY 2012-14 = No data

Considering likely overlap between first gen and Pell eligible students, trends fluctuate with enrollment but certainly indicate there is a demand that far outweighs the needs of students meeting TRIO SSS eligibility at the University of Montana

Criteria 2. - Bullet 2.: Nationally, 1,071 SSS programs are located at colleges and universities. UM’s TRIO program is one of a few larger funded programs with average programs serving 250 students. Nationally: In FY 2015, the U.S. Department of Education allocated funding for SSS programs $297,256,676; funded 1,081 programs to serve 205,263 students. Average award was $274,983 to serve 190 students. TRIO SSS at UM is one of a few larger funded programs nationally who has been on the UM campus since 1978.

Roughly only 38% of first-generation attend college. We need to do better to support these students who may be able to achieve the rigors of higher education but don't know how to get there.

Criteria 3. - Bullet 1.: Annual Performance Reports submitted yearly to U.S. DOE, Details active TRIO student’s academic standing, persistence and graduation. Performance goals exceeded all criteria. We conduct program surveys and/or focus groups to assess the program.

Five year performance: (375 students/year)

AY 2016: Academic Standing: 97.42% Persistence: 84.24% Graduation: 38.60%

AY 2015 99.49 84.87 45.98

AY 2014 90.79 80.29 40.39

AY2013 88.02 80.73 36.32

AY 2012 92.30 77.81 48.26

“Prior experience points” awarded each year we meet goals; increasing proposal points for the next cycle of grants.

AY 2016-2017, 2,420 student contacts were made for services. Qualtix Survey:

 Students overall are satisfied with TRIO Services; staff are always approachable; Most utilized services are advising, financial aid help, tutoring, academic skills, printing, success coaching, advocacy and support.

 Most used campus services: Writing Center, Study Jam, Math lab  Non-funded services most used: Book loan & technology, graphing calculators, recorders, laptops,

 Students gained more confidence & self-esteem by participating in the program.

Focus Group Findings:

 Students had overwhelmingly positive things to say about TRIO’s services, staff, and influence on their educations.  Most students mentioned entering college underprepared for the expectations of professors was the most difficult barrier to overcome.  Several students mentioned frustration with academic advising  No students had thought of discontinuing TRIO services.  A few students thought about dropping out but realized they needed education to further their careers.  Students agreed friendliness of TRIO and support to access services made their college experience better. Accessibility was better than others on campus.

Criteria 3. - Bullet 2.: TRIO staff embrace opportunities to serve on campus committees, belong to state, regional organizations as noted below.

Director, Darlene Samson:

Campus: American Indian Heritage Day, DAC, Scholarship Reader for NAS, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, BIT member, American Indian Development & Support Council, Past Staff Senate VP, President.

State: NACADA, MCAN/TRIO (ASPIRE)

Community: Christ the King Church volunteer

Regionally: NACADA Co-Conference Chair (2017); President Election of ASPIRE Region

Nationally: Board Member- Council for Opportunity in Education, Washington, DC

Ben Hamman, Program Coordinator:

Campus: Diversity Advisory Council, Staff Ambassadors; graduate student-Public Adm

State: MCAN/MTASPIRE

Regionally: ASPIRE Heather Hibbard, Instructor/Advisor/ Peer Mentor Coordinator

Campus: American Indian Support & Development Council; teach two sections of C & I 160, Learning Strategies for Higher Education

Community: WORD, Inc. Board Member

State: MCAN/MT ASPIRE

Nationally: NACADA (state & region)

Janet Zupan, Instructor/Advising Coordinator/Advisor:

Campus: Co-Facilitator Test Anxiety Workshops with Curry Health Center

Guest Lectures for various departments; teach two sections of C & I 160, Learning Strategies for Higher Education; Memory Principles for Chemistry; Director, Researcher for Stories From the College Front

Community: Volunteer

State: NACADA, MCAN, ASPIRE

Regional: ASPIRE

Peter Donaldson, Advisor/Tutor Program Coordinator

Campus: DiverseU; Financial aid Scholarship Reader, Presentations, Tutor Tile Implementation

State: Chairperson Montana College Access Network

Community: Montana Conservation Voters Volunteer

Regionally: ASPIRE member & presenter, Conference Chair 2018

Criteria 3. - Bullet 3.: TRIO FILM PROJECT~ “Stories From the College Front”

TRIO SSS is developing a film library called Stories From the College Front, similar in scope and intent to the Stanford Resilience Project. We are close to gathering 100 filmed anecdotes from UM administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members, all describing early struggles in college. After reading Paul Tough’s New York Times essay, “Who Gets To Graduate,” (May 2014), we began initial attempts to incorporate the intervention practices introduced there that focused on a student’s sense of belonging in college. It became clear that film could serve as a powerful medium for helping students recognize the universality of feeling out of place at some point in secondary education.

By December, 2017, we will complete filming. With guidance gained from David Yeager, and other researchers, we will begin to monitor the persistence effect of these stories with TRIO SSS students. During Spring of 2018, we plan to present our project and early findings, to regional and national conference gatherings, including TRIO regional Association, ASPIRE and NACADA. (Janet Zupan spearheaded the project and will report findings.) Criteria 3. - Bullet 4.: For over 25 years, we have successfully sponsored up to 5 sections annually of C&I 160, Learning Strategies for Higher Education. This two-credit class has supported 325+ students over the last five years. Individuals emerge from C&I 160 with more efficient academic skills, better time and stress management, solid memory strategies, and guidance toward a growth mindset. “I applied everything I learned in this class!” “The class environment was inviting . . . everyone felt comfortable asking questions.” “I know different study strategies and how to use them in my classes.” “Test anxiety management tips helped me feel more confident during exams.”

Our Mentoring Program began in spring, 2015. Nearly 40, upper-division TRIO SSS mentors have trained and then worked with 100+ freshmen and sophomore students, helping them build connections, resilience, academic skills, and confidence. As a result of this class and the subsequent experiences, mentors, too, better persist. Many go on to take leadership opportunities that have opened up because of their work with the Mentoring Program. “This class prepared me for making good choices [with] my educational goals.” “I love the personalized concept of this course; it provides a unique experience.”

TRIO Advisors also enfold NACADA’s slogan: Advising is teaching.

Criteria 4. - Bullet 1.: TRIO SSS funding originates from the U.S. Department of Education. Over the past five years, TRIO SSS has generated funding in the amount of $2,006,618.00 It’s important to note that TRIO’s funding cycle begins September 1st each year. The budget provided included does not reflect start-end dates. TRIO’s funding cycle (9-1 to 8-31) to report revenue, expenses and operating capital for the past five years.

FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17

Revenue: $407,708 $385,388 $407,708 $419,939 $430,437

Salaries: 201,653 203,145 224,873 227,553 231,711

Benefits: 106,056 109,002 126,230 138,559 129,878

Operating: 77,692 51,004 56,605 53,827 36,964

Auxillary: Grizzly Riders International, a group who enjoy horse riding and philanthropists provided seed money to start a book loan program for low-income students. Funded through the UM Foundation, they provided a grant of $10,000 to help low-income students with books. Grizzly Riders continue to support the program with $5,000 annually. Additional grants from Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation ($13,000) and Weyerhaeuser ($5,000) helped sustain the program. Since 2008, TRIO has purchased 1,134 books at the cost of $77,026.95, and served 1,259 students.

In conjunction with UM Foundation, TRIO recruits and awards two scholarships targeted for our student population. Charlotte Yeoman Martin Scholarship ($5,000 renewable) for first generation student to attend college and overcome significant personal adversity; and, William and Thelma Walker Scholarship ($500 annually) for a student with a high GPA , unmet financial need and a student from diverse population.

Criteria 4. - Bullet 2.: TRIO’s budget was reduced by 3% in 2014. Prior budget reductions, the TRIO SSS Director combined directorship and took upon one-third directorship of Upward Bound. Program savings at that time allowed both TRIO programs to maintain staff and services. In 2015, the Department of Education gave approval to return UB to a stand-alone director. Congressional support and national advocacy has subsequently increased TRIO program budgets for the past two years with a 3% yearly increase. Increases in budget has allowed TRIO SSS to further expand services for students by adding two part-time staff; Academic Success Coach and Advisor/Coach.one part-time Advisor/Coach. We have added money to tutoring to expand and pay mentors upon completion of the mentoring class.

Criteria 4. - Bullet 3.: TRIO staff wear many hats. Most staff responsibility for two or more program responsibilities in addition to meeting daily with students. We rely heavily upon work study students and non-work study to tutor, mentor, or help with the day-to-day operations. Noted earlier, campus collaborations are essential to TRIO SSS daily operation. We have strong working relationships with:

 Public Speaking & Writing Center as a sub-contractor  Financial Aid staff facilitate workshops to help students complete the FAFSA and UM General scholarship application  Reports on eligible students are provided my Admissions  We participate and present at Orientations  We work in tandem with the Undergraduate Advising Center for information dissemination on campus, Early Alert, share student referrals, orientations, advising  We’ve collaborated with Office for Student Success with Advising Conversations, Advisor Certificate Training, Tutoring Tile implementation  We hired excellent tutors referred by faculty

Recent studies of SSS programs found that students participating in the program resulted in statistically significant higher rates of student retention and transfer, improved grade points averages, and credit accumulation. Program participants also bested their similarly situated peers in degree completion at both two-year colleges (41% vs. 28%) and four-year colleges (48% vs. 40%). (COE) Support we receive from any departments, staff and faculty would allow us to support our students and reach these important benchmarks.

Criteria 4. - Bullet 4.: External Revenue: TRIO SSS is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Over the past five years, TRIO SSS has generated funding in the amount of $2,006,618.00 100% of funding each year supports the operation of TRIO SSS.

Grizzly Riders International, a group of UM alum who enjoy horse riding and are a group of committed philanthropists. In 2008, they started a book loan program for low-income students by supporting TRIO with a $10,000 grant. Grizzly Riders continue to support the program with $5,000 annually. Additional grants have been supported by Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation ($13,000) and Weyerhaeuser ($5,000).

Since spring of 2017, 1,259 TRIO students have received textbooks at the cost of $77,026.95.

The UM Foundation maintains two unrestricted accounts. One account maintains all donations to the book loan program, and one for program services unallowable under the grant. External income allows us the ability to purchase food or items for events and an annual holiday food baskets for TRIO students. This second account allows us to fundraise by participating in community events and/or supported by personal donations.

TRIO SSS facilitates two scholarships throughthe UM Foundation; Charlotte Yeoman Martin Scholarship ($5,000 renewable) for first generation student to attend college and overcome significant personal adversity; and, William and Thelma Walker Scholarship ($500 annually) for a student with a high gpa, unmet financial need and a student from diverse population.

Criteria 5. - Bullet 1.:

Invest in People: Staff are encouraged to develop skills through training, engagement or leadership. TRIO budget allows opportunities for professional development. Flexible schedules are options. We promote partnerships through many affiliations we have campus-wide, with tribal colleges, state TRIO Programs. We share success, failures and always collaborate.

Reimagine the structure and delivery of UM curriculum: TRIO staff embrace opportunities to create new ideas, strategies for success, and innovation in program planning. Instructors continually research and implement new ideas in classroom curriculum and delivery; enhancing tutoring and mentoring are continually evaluated for improvement.

Reinvent the Heart of the Curriculum: We embrace the IDEAS and PACE4 within all work including classroom instruction, academic and personal advising, departmental values and modeling professionalism in our work.

Engage Students Where They Are: One of TRIO SSS’s core values includes meeting students where they are. Facilitated TRIO orientations give historical information on TRIO’s early development from 1964 to the present, services are thoroughly explained. Student expectations are covered as well as expectations from TRIO program and staff. Students may to decide to opt out of TRIO after attending an orientation. As one student said after attending orientation, “why would I NOT want to participate!” Students then are assigned an Advisor who completes a personalized plan with the student.

Criteria 5. - Bullet 2.: TRIO SSS has been noted as a model program for student success and desired by many departments across campus if resources were available. Mentioned earlier, our collaborative work is important effort to the success of the students we serve and we welcome opportunities to share.

We are restricted about the use of our funding which is why we seek outside fundraising to support the campus when needed.

Criteria 5. - Bullet 3.: Restricted by the perimeters of the TRIO grant and DOE, when we can, welcome opportunities to seek additional resources to enhance student services. As time permits, we’ve written small grants to keep our book loan program viable and participate in community opportunities allowing us to generate income unallowable under the grant. We have partnered with breweries, Wild Wings, and held small fundraisers that generated monies to purchase food for events such as a graduation celebration for TRIO graduates. Purchasing caps and gowns for students would help students actualize receiving their degrees or supporting scholarships would be ideal

Thinking largely, a professional grant writer available to the campus community would be a good investment, not only for TRIO but many other departments across campus who do not have the resources and time to devote to the process.

TRIO SSS proposals will be up for refunding starting AY 2020 and data gathering begins next year. Missoula College should be encouraged to apply for a grant that would provide additional resources for students and revenue for MC students. TRIO SSS would be more than willing to support those efforts.