The families of first-generation college students play a key role in their …
The families of first-generation college students play a key role in their students’ success. All incoming first-generation students and their families are invited to attend the UT Dallas First-Generation Family Orientation. To promote the orientation, UT Dallas mails postcard invitations and first-generation-specific new student guidebooks, that include access to an online Spanish language version, to invitees. The materials provide advice on how to interpret important dates on the academic calendar, descriptions of language found in course syllabi, and helpful tips for navigating resources, and a page of First-Generation Student Support Network member contacts in key campus departments. First-Generation Family Orientation content includes presentations by a variety of campus departments, a discussion regarding UT Dallas culture and insights about what their student can expect, greater explanations of some University policies and processes, more information about University resources with insights about why they matter and how to use them, and critical steps to ensure that students efficiently transition through each semester and maximize opportunities. Content is framed to reinforce the role of families in student academic and social success and their value in cultivating student belonging, wellbeing, and resilience. The First-Generation Family Orientation is hosted primarily via YouTube to ensure maximum accessibility with the multi-language closed captioning options. During the orientation, families can ask current first-generation students, parents of former UT Dallas students, and bilingual staff questions. The desired outcomes of First-Generation Family Orientation include attendees feeling better equipped to support their scholars, increased familiarity with campus resources, and increased comfort approaching the university for assistance.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
HOW TO ENROLL: We ask participants to express their intent to attend, but we distribute the link to join to all invitees.
EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past
PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: In August 2021, after viewing First-Generation Family Orientation, 100% of evaluation respondents reported that they agreed or strongly agreed that they felt better equipped to support their scholar and that they were more familiar with UT Dallas campus resources.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Undergraduate Education
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Courtney Brecheen at courtneyb@utdallas.edu or 9728836788
The mission of the Transfer Mentor Program is to cultivate an environment …
The mission of the Transfer Mentor Program is to cultivate an environment of student leadership through mentoring that assists transfer students with the transition to college life and fosters a strong sense of belonging through academic engagement, social involvement and community service.
College presents many challenges, both academically and socially. The Transfer Mentor Program was created to connect incoming transfer students with current UT Dallas students who also transferred to the University. Transfer students who choose to join the Transfer Mentor Program are paired with a student mentor to help ease the transition to UT Dallas, specifically during their first two semesters at the University. Peer mentors at UT Dallas work to mentor new students in the following three areas: leadership development, academic support, and social engagement. In addition to providing personalized support for each mentee, the Transfer Mentor Program hosts service, academic, and social events throughout the year for participants to engage on-campus and with the program more deeply.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.
PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES: The development or redesign of postsecondary workforce credential programs in a growing occupational field that is industry-aligned and developed with the participation of postsecondary lower-division institutions and workforce actors such as workforce and economic development boards or associations, industry representatives or employer. The grant was able to assist the college by funding credit certificates in PCT technician and IT Health Informatics to effectively start fall 2024.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Undergraduate Education
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Hillary Beauchamp Campbell at transfermentor@utdallas.edu or 9728836706
The Undergraduate Success Scholars (USS) program mission is to serve underrepresented minority …
The Undergraduate Success Scholars (USS) program mission is to serve underrepresented minority (URM) students at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) with engagement opportunities, academic support, mentorship, and guidance to meet both personal and professional goals. The Undergraduate Success Scholars program aims to increase URM student enrollment, success, and retention.
Through a formalized structure, USS guide students on their pathway to degree completion through its progressive four-year program. Each year provides unique experiences and builds on the next to set milestones for success at UT Dallas. The program pillars: Student success planning, mentorship, leadership development, enrichment workshops provide opportunity for students to receive personalized academic planning for program staff and engage in online goal-setting. The Family Mentorship Initiative provides incoming freshmen a mentor within a family group that receives additional support from an assigned UT Dallas staff, faculty, or community member. The USS program also provides a variety of enrichment opportunities, including monthly workshops, specialized cultural or community building events, and student leaders organize opportunities for participants to engage with other USS members in social, academic, and service activities.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 263
HOW TO ENROLL: Student are invited to participated and program enrollment is based on accepting the program invitation
EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Undergraduate Education
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Kimberly J Edwards at uss@utdallas.edu or 972-883-3871
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