Learning Communities – A Foundational Strategy for Promoting Student Success

2. Learning Communities –A Foundational Strategy for Promoting Student Success Dr. Rees Hughes Humboldt State University hughes@humboldt.edu www.humboldt.edu/firstyear

3. Overview • Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) • Fall Bridge • Freshman Seminar • Residential Themed Living Areas

4. English or Communication Class (Area A) 25 students Subject Area Course(s) May be larger classes 25 students Seminar FIGS Form 1 - Major-Based • Business and the Enterprise Economy • Elementary Education • Exploring the Marine Environment • Exploring the Mind • Introduction to Human Performance • Journalism and Current Issues in Society • Life Sciences and the Environment • Music Foundations • People, Community, and Social Change • Visual Arts Foundations

5. FIGSFall Bridge Remedial English and/or Math 25 students or less Form 2 - Undeclared and Remedial General Education Course May be larger classes • Confidence with College Communication • Math Confidence • Science Foundations • Cultures in Diverse Worlds • Fall Bridge Seminar/Sup-plemental Support 25 students or less

6. Fall Bridge Retention Rates

7. Block scheduled, integrated curriculum, no seminar FIGS Form 3 –Integrated Curriculum • Latinos and the Making of America • Making Sense of Our Post 9/11 World • Leadership Through Communication • Communication and Culture 85% of FIG students felt that the FIG helped them make a special connection with other students, faculty and university resources.

8. Freshman Seminar • Stand alone (no attached courses) – 2 semester units • Emphasizing support for undeclared first year students • Working on strengthening this option

9. Residential Themed Living Areas • Academic Intensive Living • The Art Colony • Eco Living • Gender Neutral • International Living • Natural Resources Living • Rhythm and Resistance • Women for Change • Outdoor Adventures and Community Service • Health and Wellness • Native American Living

10. Themed Living Areas - Data

11. FIG Retention Data

12. Areas for Improvement • Increase the number of FIGs with truly integrated curriculum • Gain approval for the FIG Seminar course to fulfill a GE requirement • Improve the training of FIG faculty in general and FIG Seminar instructors specifically • The logistics of registering FIG students • Dealing with ELM, EPT, and AP issues

13. Of Special Note to Other CSU Campuses • Value of diverse approaches • Economics of using existing classes • Importance of integration with other campus retention initiatives (connected efforts amplify the impact) • Innovation in promotion of the FIG (see www.humboldt.edu/firstyear)

14. Thank you.