The vision of the CRED program is to create a culture of life-long learning at UNT Dallas. The three goals that support this vision are the foundation of principals integrated into existing programs and resources to help build a culture where UNT Dallas students are self-motivated to pursue knowledge for professional success and are prepared graduated that employers seek in new hires. The three goals are: 1) students assess career options; 2) students test career expectations through direct exposure to workplace cultures; and 3) students evaluate strategies to maintain job-related effectiveness. Students participate in these goals at each level of their academic journey at UNT Dallas through career exploration activities, in-class assignments, experiential learning participation, and networking with community partners to practice job-attainment activities.

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: 1300

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: Office of the Provost, Office of Experiential Learning

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Eronia King at eronia.king@untdallas.edu or 972-338-1764

First-time-in-college students enroll a one-hour first year seminar course: UGST 1100: Applications of Learning. Students can enroll in special sections for Trailblazer Elite students or in a meta-major block of two other courses identified as relevant for a meta-major the students have identified. Enrollment in the first year seminar allows students a safe place to learn about their new academic environment, build community, explore career options, and skills to help them successfully adjust to college life.

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 must apply to enroll in this program

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

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of the Provost

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Dawn Remmers at dawn.remmers@untdallas.edu or 972-338-1878

Organizational Overview
UNT Dallas's mission is to transform the lives of our students by empowering them with the resources they need for success. UNT Dallas has a unique focus on serving under-resourced students in metro Dallas, becoming a pathway to the middle class for thousands of area students. Our core competence is preparing local students for high-need jobs in North Texas.

Program Overview
The Trailblazer Elite program (TBE) promotes student retention and ensures students successfully graduate from college. The program is designed to increase student retention, graduation rates in a timely manner, and career attainment. Traditionally, the TBE program has focused on first-generation college students. We teach students how to develop a support network that will help them navigate through their college journey and life.

Program Goals & Objectives
The TBE program is designed to build supportive and trusting relationships, provide academic support, and prepare students for a successful college transition for non-traditional students. In order to be successful, students must have a sufficient amount of interaction with faculty and staff on campus.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.

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

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Trailblazer Elite students benefit from leadership development, academic enrichment, mentorship, networking, and priority access to student support services. Programmatic touch-points, metrics, and early alerts increase student success, retention, graduation rates, and career attainment.
Of those selected to participate in the first cohort, 95% were retained from Fall 2020 to Fall 2021. 86% were retained from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022.
Compared to similar students outside the program, the Trailblazer Elite students: (1) had higher retention rates; (2) 84% are in good standing with the university; and (3) are 80% more engaged with the university.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Advancement

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Sabrina Hodge at sabrina.hodge@untdallas.edu or 972-338-1094