32nd Annual Conference on the First Year Experience
February 26, 2013
FYE Quality Control:
Partnerships across campus cultures in assessment design
Glenda Hensley, Director of First Year Experiences
WCU Snapshot
 In Cullowhee, NC in the
Blue Ridge Mountains
on a 600 acre campus.
• A residential public
University.
• Enrollment: 9,608 with 1550 first-year students.
• 56% female and 44% male.
• Academic Programs: 220 majors and concentrations
for undergraduates plus 40 graduate programs.
• Freshmen are required to live on campus.
Why are we here?
“We learn better together.” (V. Tinto)
Goals today:
• Engage a conversation about campus
collaborations and partnerships.
• Discuss the intentional and working
practices that will enable us to move
beyond rhetoric and into action.
The ‘big’ goal: To foster an environment
that will empower students to
 succeed in college and become lifelong learners; and
 vision and seize opportunities to
become leaders and advocates.
FYE Quality Control is a Balancing Act
 Balance innovation
and tradition.
 Employ critical
reflection and
transparent practice.
 Decisions and action
plans are outcomes
driven.
 Foster collaborative
relationships.
Intersections &
mergers that
strengthen
student learning
experiences
Group Discussion Points
• Why has assessment become the driver of our work
as educators?
• Why the balance of 'innovation and tradition' can be a
sticky wicket when partnering.
• What constitutes success for one unit partner may not
meet the standards of another. Now what!?
• Reality Check: Institutional history and the players
involved will factor into planning and practice.
What is the common denominator? Communication open, honest, messy, respectful, genuine.
Ensemble Work
 Collaborative Design & Development
- FYE Cabinet
- Goals – Outcomes
 Assessment Model
- Process – Data
- Intentional Communication
 Transferability & Sustainability
- Implications for FYE and stakeholders
- Campus connections
- Institutional partnerships
FYE Quality Control: chapter 1
Collaborative Design
Working Together
Effective
institutional
policy
recognizes
“people make a difference. [and] Ultimately the success of our
actions on behalf of student learning and retention depends upon
the daily actions of all [*] members of the institution…”
(V. Tinto. 2002)
*[emphasis added]
Murat
Yazan
English
Faculty
Arika
Morison
Counseling
Margaret
Bruder
English
Faculty
Nory Prochaska
Director
Mathematics
Tutoring Center
People who “make a difference”
• The Individual:
• Division Role
• Perspective
• The Group:
• FYE Perspective
• Intentional
Communication
Stakeholders
Mission
Feedback
Loop
Action
Plan
• Program
Assessment
FYE Goals – as published for students
Discover College:
Adapt to new environments and responsibilities - discover
and use the resources available to you!
Be Involved:
Identify and act upon your role and responsibility as an engaged
citizen - be an active participant in your learning experiences!
Connect the Dots:
Connect your personal interests and abilities, academics,
and co-curricular activities as you make sense of the world.
Think First:
Identify complex issues or problems – evaluate your options to
make an informed decision - reflect on the implications of your choice.
Exchange Ideas:
Communicate appropriately and respectfully in a variety of
formats and contexts.
Calibrate Your Compass:
Examine your values and goals - take
responsibility for your own learning and development - act with integrity.
FYE Quality Control: chapter 2
Assessment Model
Data Audit
Assessment Cycle
FYE Quality Control: chapter 3
Intentional Interactions
Communicating Intentions
“…. students benefit
from knowing what
is expected of them;
… there is an
important
relationship between
intentionality,
assignments, and
learning ...”
T. Rhodes. AAC&U Peer Review
(2011)
Goal: Discover College
Students will adapt successfully to new environments
and responsibilities, and will discover and utilize the
resources available to them which include academic
gateways, social networks, and co-curricular and
personal development opportunities.
• Outcome 1: Students will identify the purpose and
function of the campus resources that
serve as tools for success (i.e., the Core Elements).
• Outcome 2: Students will engage with the campus
community.
FYE Bookmark Journey
Lesson Objective:
To help students discover
and use campus resources
and networks.
Student Learning Goal:
Discover College!
Bookmark--- (Definition):
To mark your place; enable you to remember
important parts; enable you to return with ease
First Year Experience at WCU
YOURGOALSFORTHISYEAR
DISCOVER COLLEGE
Adapt to new environments and
responsibilities. Discover and use the
resources available to you!
BE INVOLVED
Identify and act upon your role and
responsibility as an engaged citizen.
Be an active participant in your
learning experiences!
CONNECT THE DOTS
Connect your personal interests and
abilities, academics, and co-curricular
activities as you make sense of the world.
THINK FIRST
Identify complex issues or problems.
Evaluate your options to make an
informed decision. Reflect on the
implications of your choice.
EXCHANGE IDEAS
Communicate appropriately and
respectfully in a variety of formats
and contexts.
CALIBRATE YOUR COMPASS
Examine your values and goals. Take
responsibility for your own learning and
development. Act with integrity.
EYE ON FYE
As you journey through the year,
Reflect on these FYEgoals;
Celebrate the WCUCommunity Creed;
Share your success stories in the
EYEon FYEContest & Celebration
Goal: Be Involved
Students will identify their roles and responsibilities as
engaged citizens by considering the public policies that
affect their choices and actions; by recognizing
commonalities and interdependence of diverse views/
values; and by acting responsibly to positively affect
public policy. [QEP: Practice civic engagement]
• Outcome 1: Students will practice the Community
Creed.
FOCUS: FYE Service & Learning
First-year Opportunities for Community & University Service
Purpose:
Engage students in meaningful
experiences during their first
weeks of college through service
to their campus community as
well as to the local community
Student Learning Goal:
Be Involved
EYE on FYE: Celebrate the Creed
Purpose:
To help students synthesize learning
and experience as they creatively
express new understandings and
refine their communication skills.
Goals:
Connect the Dots
Calibrate Your Compass
Express Yourself
FYE Quality Control: chapter 4
Transferability & Sustainability
Progress Report
FYE Programs: Innovation & Tradition
Campus Intersections
Institutional Partnerships
FYE Programs: Innovation & Tradition
 Celebrations &
Traditions
 Transition Courses
 Learning
Communities
Campus Intersections
Sophomore Year Initiatives
Transfer Student Programs
First Generation Student Initiatives
Institutional Partnerships
Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle
Retrieved from: http://interactivewdw.com/theme-parks/magic-kingdom/
Learning Communities Today: a new
collaboration across institutions
Thank you for joining the conversation!
Glenda Hensley
Director, First Year Experience
The Office for Undergraduate Studies
Western Carolina University
ghensley@wcu.edu