Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success

Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success Miami-Dade Community College Professional Development Day March 6, 2003 Kendall Campus Click down arrows to advance frames > Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

What is a Focus Group? • Definition: A structured, interactive group interview • Function: To solicit in depth responses to a group of questions • Composition: 8 -15 participants, 1 -2 facilitators, and a scribe • Duration: Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 1 -1/2 to 2 hours

Background Rationale: To solicit opinions, suggestions, and information regarding factors affecting retention, recruitment and student success Steps: • • • Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Identify target group Develop questions Recruit participants Conduct focus groups and analyze results Review results with appropriate areas Develop strategies to address issues identified

Reactions from Focus Group Participants • Extremely positive • Honored to be asked • Heightened sense of ownership • Comfortable, secure atmosphere • Optimistic about change Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Target Groups M-DCC Students • College preparatory students • EAP(ESL) students • Honors College students • Students in HSC 0001 - Introduction to Health Care • International students Transfer Students – FIU • With AA degree • Without AA degree High School Seniors Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory Mathematics students said… Students should: 1) Attend class regularly 2) Form study groups 3) Be focused 4) Change negative attitude 5) Talk to instructor about difficulties Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory Mathematics students said… Faculty should: 1) Answer even basic questions patiently 2) Give practice tests – mirror test format 3) Explain clearly, step by step 4) Change perceived attitude – be positive, motivate Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory Mathematics students said… The College should: 1) Have smaller classes 2) Increase number, quality of tutors/lab personnel Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory English students said… Students should: 1) Be more organized 2) Study every day 3) Focus and set goals 4) Prioritize, manage time well Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory English students said… Faculty should: 1) Be more energetic and interesting 2) Be more human, sensitive (do not label questions as “stupid”) 3) Be available Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory Reading students said… Students should: 1) Spend more time studying 2) Do assignments promptly 3) Focus and set goals Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory Reading students said… Faculty should: 1) Slow down 2) Make sure students understand 3) Be positive, make students feel comfortable 4) Vary teaching strategies Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

College Preparatory Reading students said… The College should: 1) Encourage better customer service 2) Lower the cost of books/ higher resale Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

EAP (ESL) students said… Faculty should: 1) Teach in English only 2) Align classes and labs Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

EAP (ESL) students said… The College should: 1) Improve registration – too time consuming 2) Provide orientation about programs, majors, financial aid Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Transfer students said… Students should: 1) Take responsibility for themselves 2) Be self-sufficient 3) Connect with other students, work together 4) Know requirements, complete prerequisites Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Transfer students said… The College should: 1) Provide better orientation for transferring students 2) Emphasize value and importance of completing AA before transferring Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Honors College students said… Reasons for enrolling: 1) Scholarship 2) Better transfer opportunities 3) Challenging, smaller classes Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Honors College students said… The College should: 1) Adjust credit load and GPA requirements 2) Offer Honors College mathematics and science 3) Improve the Colloquium Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Medical Center Campus students said… Students should: 1) Be disciplined and not procrastinate 2) Try not to work - get loans, financial assistance 3) Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Manage stress

Medical Center Campus students said… Faculty should: 1) Lecture less 2) Have one instructor per class – no team teaching 3) Align text, lecture, tests – be consistent Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Medical Center Campus students said… The College should: 1) Allow financial aid for students in the Accelerated Option 2) Create better faculty evaluations and include written comments 3) Provide professional counseling Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

HSC 0001 students said: Problems hindering success: 1) Lack of financial support, must work 2) Poor skills (reading, writing, math) 3) Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Stress (professional and personal)

HSC 0001 students said: Suggested College solutions: 1) Increase financial aid, extend payment deadlines 2) Offer more individual tutoring, offer speed reading 3) Provide professional counseling Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

International students said: Reasons for selecting M-DCC: 1) Cost 2) Friends already attending 3) Visited M-DCC on vacation Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

International students said: What the College can do to help international students: 1) Create an SLS course tailored for them 2) Allow students to take fewer than 12 credits – many need to work 3) Designate an area as an international student lounge 4) Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Provide loans

High school students said… Miami-Dade means: 1) Attend for two years and then transfer 2) Really the 13 th grade 3) Many students drop out Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

High school students said… Students would not consider M-DCC because: 1) Think parents are against community colleges 2) More like a technical school 3) Lack information about M-DCC Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

High school students also said… M-DCC can improve its reputation by: 1) Sending information to students’ homes, providing a “return” portion for specific information 2) Arranging classroom visitations for high school students to see the College, classes and faculty Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Actions Based on the Results: Math Departments • Participated in Roundtable Discussions • Held Retreat • Revising CP mathematics curricula • Consolidation of skills taught – core skills taught with more depth • Modifying instructional delivery Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Actions Based on the Results: Math Departments (con’t) • Establishing resource center for faculty • Increased training for adjunct faculty • Increased support outside class – align lab & class • Offer math anxiety workshops Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Actions Based on the Results: Transfer Practices • Plan and conduct orientation for students preparing to transfer • Collaborate with FIU to address problems students face • Advertise benefits of completing degree before transferring • Identify factors which contribute to success once students transfer Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Actions Based on the Results: Honors College • Honors courses to be offered in math and science • Students will participate in planning colloquium Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Future Focus Group Projects: • Transfer students (UM, UF, FSU) • Vocational students • High school seniors – college ready • Web site focus groups Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Suggestions from You! ? ? ? Media Services North Campus Feb 2001