Best-Practices Webinar Series
Extending Your Reach:
How to Work with CBOs
in Support of First-Generation Students
2 Common Questions From CSO College Partners
1. How do we know where to find CBOs?
2. Once we’ve found them, how do we develop relationships with them?
The CBO Database
Access to almost a thousand CBOs around the country
Panelists
Alex EconomouDirector of Partner RelationsCSO - Moderator
Shria TomlinsonCollege Affairs DirectorCollege Track
Traci KirtleyDirector of Programming & EvaluationCollege Possible
Chuck EricksonAssistant Director,AdmissionsLawrence University
Tammy DainAssistant Director of Community OutreachHoly Names University
Lawrence University
Chuck Erickson ’02
Assistant Director of AdmissionsDiversity Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator
Coordinator of Transfer Admissions
About Lawrence University•In Appleton, Wisconsin
•Founded in 1847
•Integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music
•Draws 1,445 students from 44 states and 35 countries
•First- Year Retention = 90% 6-Year Graduation = 76% Pell Grant Recipients = 17.8%
•Work with 6 CBOs and been doing this for six years
6 Best Practices
1. Plan your connections and intentions• What are you committing to this relationship?• What do you bring to the CBO?
2. Research CBOs – Be selective• What is the quality of the CBO?• Which CBOs fit your profile/goals
3. Identify Recruitment and Retention Issues• How will CBOs & the college make this work?
6 Best Practices (continued)
4. Develop a communication system• Learn to speak their language• Frequent and consistent is key
5. Evaluate and Review• End-of-the-year assessment• Changes for next year
6. Take PRIDE in what you are doing!
5 Lessons Learned
1. If you drop the ball, be honest.
2. Bad impressions last nearly forever.
3. This will almost take blood, sweat, and tears.
4. Think WAY outside of the box.
5. Communication needs to be both ways.
Holy Names University
Tammy DainAssistant Director of Community Outreach
About Holy Names University
• Oakland, CA - Founded in 1868
• HNU is a small, private Catholic liberal arts university with a particular emphasis on providing access to higher education for underserved populations.
• Total enrollment is 1,331; we have 28 different liberal arts majors, 9 graduate programs and a large adult learner population.
• We are consistently ranked as one of the most diverse universities in the West Coast and in the entire nation.
Our Student Diversity
50% First Generation
10% Asian
26% African American
22% Latino/Hispanic
24% White
4% International
Early Admit Program (EAP)
A New College Access Program• Provides access to education for students from the
particularly underserved Oakland and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts beginning in the 9th grade.
• Students are guaranteed admission to HNU if they take approved college-prep curriculum and achieve academic requirements while in high school.
• Collaborates with community based organizations and high schools for student success.
4 Best Practices1. Defined Effort and Willingness to Act• Define university objectives through outreach and commit to action
2. Understand Your Partners • Attend any information sessions that are held on site and learn about the CBO’s students
3. Take a Step Back• Make an effort to connect with individual organizations but don’t forget about the big picture
4. Use Your Positioning to Bridge the Gap• University presence can bridge the gap between school districts and community based
organizations
2 Lessons Learned
1. A Sense of Flexibility
2. It’s Okay to Prioritize for the Sake of Progress
College Track
MISSION: To close the achievement gap and create a
college-going culture for students who are historically and currently under-represented in higher education.
How We WorkNATIONAL COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM6 centers and counting: San Francisco Oakland E. Palo Alto New Orleans Aurora Los Angeles (Summer 2012)
MAKING A COMMITMENT & LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN OUR STUDENTS
8th GRADE: Recruit students
HIGH SCHOOL: Provide comprehensive support
COLLEGE: Provide Financial, Social, & Peer support
Focusing on four core service areas – Academic Affairs, Student Life, College Affairs, and College Success –
our students gain the experience that best prepares them for the academic, social, and financial demands of
college.
18
Core Programs
Our Students
19
90% of our students are from low-income households
90% of our seniors are admitted to four- year colleges
85% of our students will be the first-generation college graduates
75% of students admitted to college are currently enrolled in, or have completed, a
four-year degree
55% of College Track students graduate from college (compared to 22% nationwide
average of low-income students.) Our goal is 75%.
Our Growth
2010-2011 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-170
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
654
803
964
1171
1404
1629
1847
# of High School Students (During Year)
5 Best PracticesCOLLEGES SHOULD –
1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK: Research the CBO, its mission, resources, students served, typical student profile, and best time to visit
2. BE HONEST: Have candid conversations about the type of students you are looking to recruit
3. COMMUNICATE REGULARLY: Discuss new programs and opportunities available on the campus (multicultural programs, open houses, preview days, etc.)
4. COLLABORATE: Work together on presentations
5. FORMALIZE PARTNERSHIPS: Share resources and information(eg. Holy Names EAP)
5 Lessons Learned
1. Relationships are key
2. Exposure is Important
3. Invest in Families
4. Communicate key programs and services that are aligned with supporting target student population
5. Be Patient and Flexible
College Possible
MISSION: Making college admission and success
possible through an intensive
curriculum of coaching and support
About College Possible
• Students: 91% are students of color, average reported family income is less than $25,000 and most are first-generation college students
• Size: Currently serving 8,700 students in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Omaha
• Growth: Planning to serve 20,000 students annually in 10 locations as early as 2015
Our Programs
• 320 hours of direct support over two years
• Junior Year– ACT/SAT test preparation– Campus visits– Summer enrichment opportunities
• Senior Year– College essay and application assistance– Financial aid and scholarship application
support– College selection and transition advising
• College Possible seniors lead workshops for underclassmen using interactive curriculum
High School Program College Program
College Planning Workshops
• Connect students with existing resources on campus
• Build a network of support among former high school program participants
• Provide financial aid and scholarship assistance
Our Results• A recent Harvard study found College Possible more than
doubles the chances that a low-income student will enroll in a 4-year institution
• 98% of students earn admission to college
• Nearly 80% of students who go onto enroll graduate or are currently persisting toward a college degree
• On average, students increase their ACT score by 21%, as compared to for-profit companies that advertise an increase of 12-14%
Best Practices
COLLEGES SHOULD:
1. Work with CBOs to bring students to your campus 2. Help CBOs help you! Be willing to teach us what you
need3. Provide transparency and support with financial aid
process4. Use the financial aspects of enrollment to prepare
students for managing college finances
Lessons Learned
CBOs SHOULD:
1. Be proactive in setting and meeting the expectations of colleges
2. Make the most of letters of recommendation
3. Create relationships between students and caring adults to increase retention and college completion rates
Contact Information
Shria TomlinsonCollege Affairs [email protected](510) 378-9992
Traci KirtleyDirector of Programming & [email protected](651) 917-3525 Alexandra Economou
Director of Partner [email protected](301) 363-4226
Chuck EricksonAssistant Director of [email protected](920) 832-6503
Tammy DainAssistant Director of Community [email protected](510) 436-1368