Proposal

So the proposal process is a lot harder for me than I thought it would. Every time I go over my methodology I keep remembering things that I wanted to put in my project. More information that I still need to add. I also feel like I have to write two methodologies because Im trying to improve recruitment and retention for CAAS and the school at large. Its a lot and Im a little warn out. Worse than that I dont know how to write this budget. I know the things I want to do are going to cost money but I dont know how much. Further more I dont know where to get the money from. This is a project that I am invested in and I want the goals to be realistic and attainable and right now I dont feel that my goals as far as the school are attainable.

Project

As of today, I am still revisiong my review. Im looking for programs that other schools are implementing so that I can have a better model of my own project. The review is still under major reconstruction. I want to wtite a project proposal because Im hoping to be in a position next year that will allow me to actually be in charge of a major project like this so I need to write a project proposal so that I can use it to help me next year.

From Research to Project

YAYYYY!!! I just found out that I was nominated for the Public Relations and the treasuror position on the Exec. Board of CAAS. While I would be happy to fill any position on the Exec board, the PR position would basically put me in charge of recruiting, publicity, and I would have a part in college day. I feel like maybe this position can help me turn this research im doing into a project that I can try to carry out. I know that it probably wont make a huge dent as far as the institution concerned but I would feel a little better if I could make a little dent in retention for CAAS and recruitment when we have college day. I hope I get this position and I hope that I can accomplish some of my goals.

Progress

       So I was able to interview Shazad from the Multicultural student services office and I really learned a lot about some aspects of the recruitment and retention program for minority students, and also its downfalls. He was able to give me some possible avenues to go down and where I can find certain information. My next question then is how do I cite him in my list of sources? 

Big XII

A few weeks ago I was privileged enough to be able to attend the Big XII conference on student leadership and government at Kansas University. What an experience, I would definitely say that this was one of the most inspiring college experience that I have had so far. First it was amazing to be around so many other students of color who are all working to better themselves and the community. There was a genuine sense that people where there to learn and to work, this wasn't some big party. Each day we had speakers come while we ate and talked and inspired us about our futures as leaders. Some speakers talked about how to succeed in college, others on how to better ourselves as a person, some talked about jobs, others spoke about leadership. Throughout the day students where able to attend workshops that were specific to their needs. A few of the workshops that I went to were, how to interview, how to apply to grad school, how to dress for business, and how to be leader. The conference offered the chance for students to network with advisor's, professors, and other students from around the nation. It was a growing experience and something I will never forget. I hope that I am fortunate enough to be able to attend next year.

Progress Report

So I am really getting into the heart of this research project and really trying to find out what kind of recruitment program that SCSU has here. I've talked to a few people involved in it and it doesn't seem like there is any cohesive effort to recruit students. It all seems that individuals go out and recruit and dont really work with each other, so maybe that is problem that could be fixed. A lot of the articles im reading stress the importance of a team of people working together from all fields of the university to recruit minority students. A problem that I am also trying to face is that Im being sent all over campus trying to talk to this that and the other person who maybe kinda deals with the recruiting process. Is there a head person in charge of recruiting? what kind of methods are they using? are they successful?? Otherwise for now Im trying to focus on finding statistics that show enrollment and graduation rates of minority and majority students, both nation wide and specifically SCSU. The information we learned in class today will be helpful for the Nation wide statistics.

"The Professional Mentor Program Plus: An Academic Success and Retention Tool for
Adult Learners," by Chaunda L. Scott and Robert J. Homant,
(2007-2008), Journal of College Student Retention: Research,
Theory and Practice, 91(1), 61-73.

This article was about a mentoring program implemented at the University of Detroit Mercy to help with the recruitment and retention of minority students. The program had three main components, first was mentor/mentee pairing based on academic interest/need, second were required professional development workshops coaching students in the means to "independently work through their academic and personal challenges" and third an intergenerational outreach component, whereby both mentors and mentees participated in a mentoring experience through a partnership with a local middle school. The program showed progress in the slight increase of the control groups' GPA. The literature review was meant to summarize an analysis of the new mentor program at UDM and its success. This was both a qualitative and quantitative study. It combined the quantitative results of the increase in GPA and the qualitative results of very positive feedback from the participants in the study. It was a short article and I didnt see any errors in critical thinking.