Insights into Transfers to Tigers
Mentoring Program
Presented by:
Haley Hamam
Will Classen
Meet the Presenters
• Haley Hamam
–Director of Transfer Council
–Senior, B.A. Political Science
• Will Classen
–Associate Director of Transfer Council
–Junior, B.S. Economics
Today’s Program
• About Clemson
• Transfer Population
• Transfer Council
– An Overview and Our Role
• Transfers to Tigers
– How It Works
– Why It Works
– Accomplishments
• Implementation on Your Campus
• Questions and Comments
Clemson University:
A Brief History
• Land-grant institution founded in 1889 through the will
of Thomas Green Clemson
• Clemson offers 380 organizations for students
• Our core values are:
– honestly
– integrity
– respect
• Clemson believes in academic excellence and providing
student’s with a social atmosphere conducive to higher
learning
Clemson: Our Town
• Clemson University is located in the upstate of
South Carolina at the base of the Blue Ridge
Mountains and along the shores of Lake Hartwell
• Clemson is set in a small college town that attracts
students looking for a strong sense of community,
school spirit and a love of winning – in academics,
in athletics, and in life
Clemson by the Numbers
•Freshman-Sophomore Retention Rate: 90.5%
•Transfer Student Retention Rate: 85.8%
•Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
•Number of transfer students enrolled in Fall 2010: 1058
•Top Ranking in “Clemson Town-Gown Relations” by 2011 Princeton Review
•Top Ranking of “Jock Schools” by 2011 Princeton Review
•1st rated Best Value in Public Universities in South Carolina by Kiplinger’s
magazine in 2009
•3rd ranking for Alumni Giving and Participation among National Universities
•5th ranking “our happiest students” by 2011 Princeton Review
•13th ranking of Accounting Program among Public Institutions
•Ranked 23rd public institution by US News and World Report
Our Transfer Population
• Transfer students represent approximately 30% of
new students each academic year
• Bridge to Clemson Program
• In-state and Out-of-state four-year institutions
• Technical colleges
Clemson University
Undergraduate
Student Government
CUSG
Executive
Branch
Legislative
Branch
Judicial Branch
Attorney
General
Student Body
President
President’s
Cabinet
Senate
Freshman
Council
Transfer
Council
Council on
Diversity
Affairs
Transfer Council’s Role
• To provide new transfer students an outlet
through student government to voice concerns
and opinions
• To provide specific programming to support the
academic needs unique to transfer students
• Transfers to Tigers Mentoring Program created as
a committee
Transfers to Tigers
Mentoring Program
• Offers a way for new transfer students to get
answers to questions through a relaxed
approach
• Mentors and mentees are matched as
compatible through applications that identify
their interests
• Connects past transfer students with new
transfers and makes them feel like a part of
the Clemson family
A Few Stats
• First active year: Fall 2009
• Approximately 700 mentees in Fall 2010
• Approximately 150 mentees in Spring 2011
Mission: Transition
• Academic program TC presents that is a
required component for transfer students
• Applications distributed and filled out
during program
• Mentors and mentees matched the next day
Mock Presentations
• Our Transfers to Tigers Committee Chairs
speak at summer orientation to all parents
of the incoming transfer students
• Then, at extended orientation (the day
before classes begin), the transfer students
hear about this program
Mentors and their
Responsibilities
•
•
•
•
•
Volunteer-based
Receives training Each Semester
Attend Monthly Meetings
New Incentive Program
Weekly E-mails to mentees
Why It Works
• Peer to peer (transfer to transfer)
• Honest answers that a student values
• Mentors and mentees matched by interests so
advice is always tailored
• Mentors genuinely want to help
• Committee Chairs are very passionate about
this program
• Mentee participation is completely voluntary
so if they are using the program, they really
value the service
Data Compilation
• Mentors update log weekly
• Google Spreadsheet log can be accessed,
edited, and evaluated easily
• Opportunity to reflect on data
Accomplishments
• Increase in mentees and mentors
• Received some funding
• Data shows that mentees are getting
answers to both academic and social
questions
• Mentees are finding ways to be involved
Our Goals
• Begin mentor/mentee contact in the
summer prior to enrollment
• Make application available online
(Clemson’s and CUSG Website)
• Publish mentor e-mail address
• Create informative video and new brochures
• Connect with college advisors
Our Challenge To You
• Bring this idea back to students on your campus
• Encourage your transfer students to become more
involved on campus, more proactive with the
decisions that directly effect them
• Empower transfer students to feel that they are
part of your University’s family from their first day
on campus
• Need help getting started? E-mail us!!
• Haley: hhamam@clemson.edu
• Will: wclasse@clemson.edu
Questions and
Comments