Term

Spring 2019

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAED: NSEE

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Betsy Parrish

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

John Geissler

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Tyler Thompson

Abstract

Collegebound is an optional outdoor orientation program (OOP) offered to incoming first-year students at two joint liberal arts colleges. This long-running and popular program has increased in participation to over 10% of the incoming class in recent years, however, little formal evaluation had been conducted. This research assessed the outcomes of Collegebound participation. Using a mixed methods design, academic and personal-social outcomes of Collegebound participation were assessed to understand the impact of the program on students’ college transition and career. Academic outcomes (first to second year retention and cumulative GPA after first year) were compared between Collegebound and non-Collegebound students of the same entering class. Results showed Collegebound students were retained at a rate 2.4% higher and scored 0.15 higher on cumulative GPA. A local survey assessed personal-social outcomes with the largest impacts reported on friendship formation, gains in confidence, and outdoor appreciation as a result of their Collegebound experience.

Research Methodology

Program Evaluation

Keywords

Assessment, Environmental Studies, Leadership

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

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