Michelle AngukaEver wonder why freshmen choose Chapman University? Do you wonder whether students feel a sense of belonging and inclusion at Chapman? What about the Chapman Experience for first-generation college students?
These questions and many more are answered in Chapman’s Snapshot Infographic Newsletter created by the Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRADS) Office.
Following the announcement of their game-changing new name, IRADS released three new Snapshots. The first two are in their traditional vein focusing on survey results. The third is a special edition made in collaboration with First-Generation Programs focusing on Chapman’s first-generation population. Each Snapshot provides a brief but comprehensive look into data that is critical for the university’s planning and decision-making.
While in the past Snapshots have been distributed through campus mail, they will be distributed virtually for now and can also be found on the IRADS website.
A Special Edition Snapshot
IRADS new name signals a shift to a more collaborative relationship with campus partners, and their special edition First-Generation Snapshot testifies to that shift.
The IRADS staff partnered with Quaylan Allen, Ph.D, director of Chapman’s First-Generation Programs to create a Snapshot that focuses solely on first-generation undergraduate students.
“This Snapshot is the first of its kind,” says Allen. “It’s meant to provide a snapshot of who our first-generation students are, where they are thriving and how they are engaged at the university.”
Because first-generation student enrollment in higher education is growing nationally, Allen says institutional data can play a strategic role in shaping the types of policies and practices that can support these students in their college journey.
“We were particularly interested in collaborating with IRADS not only to capture a profile of first-generation undergraduate students on campus, but also to help inform the types of programs that the university can provide for our first-generation students,” says Allen. “This collaboration allowed us to identify the strengths of our first-generation population and how we can draw upon their contributions towards the improvement of campus life.”
In addition to institutional data such as retention rates and graduation rates, the special edition Snapshot also includes first-generation student perceptions through survey research.
Partner With IRADS
The special edition first-generation snapshot is just the beginning. There’s endless opportunities to partner with IRADS.
“We hope to work more closely with other offices, departments and schools and colleges across campus on special edition Snapshots and data projects that help inform, plan and improve student success” says Marisol Arredondo Samson, Ph.D., director of the newly-named IRADS. It was great to be able to work closely with First-Generation Programs and share ideas as well as data. I enjoyed learning about their needs and concerns and being able to provide a personalized approach to the data needs that they found most helpful.”
