First-Year Council Notes: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. via Zoom

Membership of First-Year Council for 2024-2025

(listed alphabetically)

Rotating Members

  • Dr. Minor Baker, COE (member through 2024)  
  • Crystal Dicke, LIBR (member through 2025)
  • Dr. Toby Dogwiler, CNAS (member through 2024)
  • Scott Handley, Honors College (member through 2027)  
  • Aubrey Hardy, Student Representative, Special Needs Ed major
  • Rob Moore, Student Affairs (member through 2027)
  • Dr. Linda Moser, RCASH (member through 2025)
  • Dr. Sarah Murray, MCHHS (member through 2025)
  • Carly Pierson, COB (member through 2025)
  • Dr. Christi Sudbrock, DCOA (member through 2025)  

Ex-Officio Members

  • Dr. Kelly Wood, Associate Provost, Student Success (standing member)
  • Dr. Tracey Glaessgen, Associate Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition (standing member)

Council Charge:

To advise the Executive Director and Associate Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition on initiatives involving the first-year experience (FYE) at Missouri State University.   These initiatives include, but are not limited to:  1) developing overarching goals for the first-year seminar course, 2) ensuring the course is designed to increase academic skill building, public affairs awareness, and campus connections, 3) evaluating the effectiveness of the first-year seminar course and recommending changes based upon assessment data, and 4) serving as a liaison with other departments/colleges/student affairs as part of a larger effort to inform and address issues involving first-year students.

Agenda

  1. Convene meeting—
    Members in attendance:  Scott Handley, Aubrey Hardy, Rob Moore, Sarah Murray, Carly Pierson, Christi Sudbrock, Tracey Glaessgen

  2. Updates
    • GEP 101 By the numbers
      • Highlights from 2024 include: 
        • 63 instructors teaching the course, which includes 37 faculty, 22 staff, 3 FYP graduate teaching assistants, and 1 CAST staff.
        • 2345 students were registered in the course at semester’s start.
        • 79 sections (76 blended; 3 online; all 12-week blended).
        • 29 classrooms utilized across campus in 11 different buildings.
        • 29 peer leaders
        • Workshops
        • 2 options for primary required instructor workshop
        • 11 workshops with rotating topics (min. 1 required)
        • 2 additional workshops focused on the textbook with FlatWorld
        • 5 additional workshops focused on BrightSpace assistance
    • GEP 101 Customized Textbook –streamlined
      • GEP 101 is in its fourth year of using the College Success customized textbook from FlatWorld, and its third year of using it via StreamlinED. Minor adjustments were made for this year.
    • BrightSpace course shell
      • Worked with BrightSpace’s instructional designer and project manager to design the course shell.  Will need to work with our instructional designers to ensure the course shell is sustainable.

  3. Discussion
    • GEP 101 Fall 2024 twelve-week blended snapshot
      • In its third year as a twelve-week blended course, GEP 101 meets twice per week for 50 minutes and has 30 minutes of online learning.  Feedback continues to be positive regarding the course design/layout as a twelve-week model.
    • Request for class content
      • Update from 2023:  Voter literacy modules/civic engagement
        • Discussions still occurring regarding incorporating voter education and civic engagement from a university-wide perspective.  A study group has been established via the Provost’s Office this semester.
      • Countless presentation requests
        • GEP 101 continues to receive multiple requests for class time and course requirements—whether through presentations or required assignments or required videos.  
      • CGEIP review
        • GEP 101 has its CGEIP assessment due this year.  We will extend an invitation to instructors to form a working group to review student work focusing upon the general education goal, information literacy.  
    • University College
      • Effective Jan. 1, the plan is for a University College to be established, which will include the current areas within the division of Student Success (Athletic Achievement Center, Academic Advising and Transfer Center, Bear CLAW, Center for Academic Success and Transition, Citizenship and Service Learning, and Honors College).
    • Other items?
      • Discussion on some required course assignments that were added/ placed into GEP 101, including Title IX, Information Literacy (currently a required Gen Ed goal), public affairs conference attendance, and service hours.  With so many required assignments, the sense of community, institutional knowledge, and successful student transition is compromised.  Additionally, some of these required elements do not offer the same level of support as previously.  Unanimous agreement that there is no room for any additional requirements.
         
  4. Center for Academic Success and Transition
    • Academic Care Team— faculty/staff referral and student self-referral
      • Faculty and staff can recommend a student for success coaching as well as a student can make a self referral.  Success coaching is offered through the Center for Academic Success and Transition
    • Title III
      • GEP 101 instructors who are teaching a college-dedicated section for first-generation students received additional professional development in August by attending a four-hour workshop focusing upon supporting first-generation students.  Additionally, instructors were invited to participate in a book club.
      • More than 650 first-time new in college first-generation students have been automatically provided a Success Coach for fall 2024.  Success Coaches visited their assigned GEP 101 classes for a quick introductory meeting.
      • Events are currently being planned for First-Generation Celebration week, Nov. 4-8.

  5. Next meeting—Wednesday, Dec. 4 @ 1:30pm via Zoom (calendar invite previously sent)