University of Hawai’i Maui College STUDENT AFFAIRS ‐ EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER 2013 – 2014 PROGRAM REVIEW MISSION STATEMENT The EOC programs mission is to increase the number of Maui County adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions, with particular emphasis on those who come from low‐income families and potential first‐ generation college students. FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT The Educational Opportunity Center is a fully funded TRIO program sponsored by the United States Department of Education and hosted by the University of Hawai’i Maui College and is housed under Student Affairs. EOC is committed to providing full student support services that embrace the spirit of Aloha, Collaboration, Respect and Student Achievement. The Educational Opportunity Center’s specific goals are to serve Maui County adults from disadvantaged backgrounds (low‐income, first‐generation) and military‐connected adults complete secondary education and enroll in programs of postsecondary education (20 U.S.C 1070a‐11 and 1070a‐16). The Educational Opportunity Center provides comprehensive admissions and financial aid services, in addition to fundamental support so that each participant is empowered to enter college with minimal obstacles and barriers. SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS Identify eligible Maui County residents who are not currently enrolled in a postsecondary educational program, and are low‐income, potential first‐generation, and/or military connected. Recruit and select 1456 (1380 in 2013) eligible participants annually who qualify as being low‐income, potential first‐generation, or military connected in compliance with grant regulations. Maintain accurate records and documentation to meet federal reporting requirements. Monitor and insure full programmatic compliance with all federal, state, and university policies, regulations and procedures. Prepare comprehensive, accurate and timely reports required by federal agencies, state agencies, and the University of Hawai’i. Oversee and support the EOC office located at the Molokai Education Center. Pursue continued professional development opportunities to ensure staff knowledge of current recognized professional standards and the development of leadership skills. Assist participants in acquiring comprehensive skills necessary for student success in post‐secondary education. 1 Provide free SAT and ACT fee waivers, college application waivers and free online tutorial for senior high school participants. Promote student success and retention by providing a safe environment with an atmosphere of open communication, integrity, and mutual respect. Provide high quality and comprehensive services, including the college search and application process, admissions advising, and transfer assistance. Assist participants with completing their FAFSA while educating them how to do the FAFSA independently. Advise participants about student loan requirements and the cost of taking loans, empowering the participant to make informed financial decisions. Guide participants on scholarship searches, applications, and personal statements. Utilize current and emerging technologies to provide streamlined and enhanced services. Promote financial literacy through advising and hands on experience with online money management and college affordability tools. Assist participants in career exploration by providing access to career assessment, goal setting strategies, and occupational searches. Guide participants on the GED achievement process. Provide participants resources for continued support services. o Conduct group presentations: Overview of EOC services to agency administrators and counselors. Career exploration and/or scholarship workshops to small groups of potential students on or off‐ campus (including state agencies). Public workshops for Financial Aid information and application assistance. Provide assistance with the FAFSA filing through group laboratories. o Outreach Participate in community events, including local career and educational fairs (Appendix, Table 6). Periodic visitations to outlying communities to include Hana and Lanai. Regular visits (weekly/monthly/as need) to various locations, including local high schools and community agencies. 2 SUMMATIVE DATA EOC Project Years 2011‐2013 (Project Year runs from September 1 – August 31) The Educational Opportunity Center stipulations and objectives are standardized by the U.S. Department of Education. EOC is currently in its fourth year of a five year grant cycle. On October 26, 2010, new program regulations were enacted to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA, Public Law 110‐315) of 2008. FY 2011‐2012 is the first year of the five year grant cycle during which EOC projects are required to adhere to the new regulations (Department of Education, 2008). The “new” objectives are presented in the summative data following the objectives from the prior grant cycle. In 2013, EOC received a 5% reduction in government funding; there for participant requirements were also reduced by 5%. EOC participant demographics are shown in the Appendix, Tables 1‐5 and Charts 1‐6. Participants Institutional Goals OBJECTIVE 1 FY 11‐12 FY 12‐13 FY 13‐14 Data is provisional as 13‐14 APR has not yet been completed. Recruitment Provide college access 1765 participants 1469 participants 1399 participants services to at least 1456 were served. were served. were served. Access Maui County adults (Approx. 20% over Table & Chart and/or high school senior‐ objective). 1 age potential college students. At least two‐ 78% (1375/1764) 76% (1120/1469) 72% (1001/1399) thirds (66.7%) will meet were both low‐ were both low‐ were both low‐ federal low income and income and first income and first income and first first‐generation student generation generation generation status. *FY 13‐14 access services Participants Participants Participants to 1380 Maui County increased by 12% decreased by 17% decreased by 5% Adults FY 10‐11: 1550 FY 11‐12: 1765 FY 12‐13: 1469 FY 11‐12: 1765 FY 12‐13: 1469 FY 13‐14: 1399 2013 Actions: Identified and recruited eligible participants through over 200 community outreach events (see Appendix, Table 6). Continued contacts with agencies such as the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Molokai Education Center to actively recruit their residents. Increased EOC presence and participation at Maui County high schools (Appendix, Chart 6). EOC Molokai adviser continues as the liaison for Lanai. EOC’s Request for Service (RFS) application has been simplified and modified to expedite the approval process. With no prior notification, the DOE changed the questions on the Annual Performance Report (APR) for PY 11‐12. EOC’s Request for Proposal was again updated for the PY 13‐14 year to coincide with the new APR. EOC has 3 continued to offer walk‐in services five days a week. Walk‐in services combined with set appointments has allowed for EOC to serve a greater number of participants and reduce the amount of “no‐shows”. EOC applicants can be approved immediately if they wish to walk‐in or by the end of the day if they want to make a future appointment. Approving participants on the spot has improved services and lowered applicant attrition. 2014 Actions: EOC continues to work with community partners and UHMC to recruit eligible participants. EOC continues to investigate the use of current and emerging technologies in effort to provide comprehensive services Lanai. Secondary School Diploma Institutional Goals OBJECTIVE 2 FY 11‐12 FY 12‐13 FY 13‐14 Data is provisional as 13‐14 APR has not yet been completed. Persistence 20% of participants who 356 participants did 402 participants did 464 participants did did not have a not have a not have a not have a Secondary secondary school secondary school secondary school secondary school School Diploma diploma or its diploma or its diploma or its diploma or its or Equivalent equivalent will receive a equivalent. equivalent. equivalent. secondary school diploma or its 82% (293/356) 96% (401/416) 97% (451/464) equivalent. participants participants participants received a received a received a secondary school secondary school secondary school diploma or equiv. diploma or equiv. diploma or equiv. No comparison as Participants Participants requirements increased by 37% increased by 14% changed from prior Program Cycle FY 11‐12: 293 FY 12‐13: 401 FY 11‐12: 293 FY 12‐13: 401 FY 13‐14: 464 2013 Actions: Continued working with the McKinley Community School Maui Campus. Due to the changes in Federal Financial Aid requirements, students must have a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for financial aid. With the new grant cycle, EOC participants must receive their secondary school diploma or equivalent within the program year they were accepted. Previously, the objective was to get participants enrolled in a continuing education program without regards to program completion. EOC has established a referral system with McKinley Community School to ensure students have a smooth transition from the GED program into postsecondary education. EOC has extended services to Kihei Charter School. Because Maui County does not have a TRIO Talent Search program, EOC can recruit high school seniors. This year, all but one (1) high school EOC participants successfully completed their senior year. See Appendix, Chart 6 for high school participant numbers. 4 2014 Actions: EOC continues to collaborate with the high schools and McKinley Community School