Tarteton State University's strategic plan, Tarleton Forward 2030, includes an objective that links student success to the effective teaching practices of its faculty. To that end, the objective includes a strategy that 100% of full time faculty will complete an Effective Teaching Practices course offered by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). This is a 25 week course that is designed to improve student learning outcomes by focusing on teaching practices in both face-to-face and virtual/online courses. Tarleton Forward 2030 includes this strategy as one effort designed to achieve the goal of leveraging "high-impact teaching and learning practices, technology, and quality instructional design... to provide a transformational and future-focused educational experience."

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is online only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 60

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: Since 2019-2020, 97 faculty have completed an Effective Teaching Practices course, which is approximately 22% of Tarleton State full-time faculty. The completion rate is 83%. For the 2022-2023 Academic year, an additional 66 faculty are taking the course.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Center for Educational Excellence

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Aimee Shouse at ashouse@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9598

Applied Learning Experiences (ALEs) are academic, and non-academic, transformative learning experiences designed to engage students in active and reflective learning to further develop beyond-disciplinary skills and expand students’ perspectives of self, community, and global environments.

With the guidance and mentoring of faculty and staff, students will think critically and articulate the broader impact of these activities, and learn to articulate the value of their experiences. The result will be a distinctive collegiate experience that prepares the student for life beyond college. The Applied Learning Experiences (ALE) categories are: Service Learning, Scholarly Activity, Internship/Practicum, Leadership, Discipline Knowledge, Cultural Enrichment

By successfully completing at least three of these approved activities across at least two categories, students will earn an ALE cord to wear at graduation.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

HOW TO ENROLL: All stakeholders have access to this program. As such, there is no enrollment process

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Center for Educational Excellence

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Soncee Heard at heard@tarleton.edu or 254-968-1607

The purpose of the program is to strategically plan how to build capacity and infrastructure for greater use of affordable course materials and open educational resources at Tarleton State University. Through the greater use of affordable course materials and open educational resources, we aim to make college more affordable for students, thereby reducing barriers to persistence and graduation.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Curriculum and Faculty Affairs

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Lesley Leach or Aimee Shouse at leach@tarleton.edu or 2549689588

The First Year Seminar is a practical study designed to prepare the student for university life, aid in the development of skills for academic success, promote personal growth and responsibility, and encourage active involvement in the learning process from an individual college perspective.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: University College

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Joanna Shaw at jshaw@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9087

Student Development and Mentoring (SDM) provides peer mentoring, academic coaching, and developmental education programs for first-time in college (FTIC) students, students who are not college ready based on TSI Scores, and students identified as being at-risk by faculty or academic performance metrics. Academic Coaching provides support for students in extreme academic distress while peer mentoring provides opportunities for all FTIC students to engage with sophomore, junior, and senior mentors who connect them to campus resources and help with social and academic transition to the university.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 300

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: University College

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Wayne Atchley at watchley@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9601

TexConnect links students to resources both on and off campus through case management and student outreach. TexConnect connects Tarleton students with an array of resources, including on-campus pantries. With the Purple Pantries, small-scale student grants, and strategic partnerships students who experience gaps in resources may continue their education. Transportation challenges, food or shelter instability, clothing or academic materials, licensure costs, or many other hurdles can interrupt students’ lives and educational journeys. TexConnect collaboratively joins resources to address those student needs in order for students to focus on their education. By using data from student case management, we can better understand our students and their needs. Data facilitates intentional systemic changes that help retain and graduate our students.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 1165

HOW TO ENROLL: Referral channels embedded in University early alerts, CARE Team, University Withdrawal Flow, and students may be referred or may self-refer/request via our website: www.tarleton.edu/texconnect

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Lora Helvie-Mason at helviemason@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9487