the college curriculum. These small groups include:
Liberal Arts, Business, Child Development, Academic
Options, Para-medical Programs, Nursing, Technical
Programs, and special grants from the Women’s
Resource Center. The sessions are led by faculty
members from each discipline and are repeated so that
each person can attend three of the eight small groups.

Following the small groups, a short concluding
session is held with all the participants to review the
day and invite any final questions. A short documen-
tary video describing the programs and services of the
Women’s Resource Center and completion of evalua-
tion forms concludes the day.

Follow-up

At approximately mid-semester, participants who
have been admitted and registered receive a call froma
Women’s Resource Center volunteer or staff member
to ascertain their progress. Any lingering questions
and concerns are addressed or referrals made as
appropriate.

Tracking of participants began in 1989. At that time,
79 persons attended one of three programs. Thirty-
three percent were admitted and registered for classes.
Through September, 1990, two programs were offered
with 43 participants and 26 percent admitted and
registered for fall semester.

Academic Performance

The 1989 participants showed excellent academic
performance with 92 percent earning a GPA of 3.0 or
above (28 percent earned a 3.0-3.5, and 64 percent
earned a 3.5-4.0).

Support Services

Approximately eight weeks before the “Thinking
About College?” program, a letter and survey were
sent to each 1989 participant who was a current stu-
dent. Forty percent of those contacted responded.
Three 1989 participants volunteered for the 1990 Re-
entry Panel, and a significant number of participants
reported using campus support services. Fifty percent
utilized the Learning Assistance Center and the
Women’s Resource Center; 36 percent utilized the
Career Planning and Placement Center, and 29 percent
the Financial Aid Office.

The “Thinking About College?” program begins a
support process and provides a foundation for aca-
demic success for the participants. Explanation of the
support services provides the resources for proactive
intervention by the student should need arise.

We have discovered that mature women are a
special population of students who provide the college
with a wealth of valuable experiences and a very
successful academic record.

Nancy K. Swanborg, Director, Women’s Resource Center
For further information, contact the author at

Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI
48152-2696.

 

Suanne D. Roueche, Editor

March 8, 1991, Vol. XIll, No. 8

©The University of Texas at Austin, 1991
Further duplication is permitted by MEMBER
institutions for their own personnel.

 

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