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Foundations for change, confidence, and new opportunities: impacts of a university enabling program in north-west Tasmania

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 10:10 authored by Nicole CrawfordNicole Crawford, Johns, S, Jarvis, L, Cherie-Lynn HawkinsCherie-Lynn Hawkins, Michael Harris, McCormack, D
University enabling programs develop students’ academic skills and understandings of the academic culture and environments, facilitating students’ transition into undergraduate courses. In addition to confirming these short-term benefits of enabling programs, this research explored the medium and longer-term impacts of the University of Tasmania’s University Preparation Program (UPP). Past cohorts of successful UPP students from 1996 to 2007, in north-west Tasmania, were targeted. The study used a mixed methods approach, with surveys (quantitative) and interviews (qualitative). The findings are described in terms of three inter-related layers: foundations for change, confidence, and new opportunities. Developing academic skills and an understanding of the new culture led to students developing confidence, which empowered them to undertake undergraduate studies; this step, in turn, flowed on to further new opportunities, such as employment and leadership roles. This study illustrates that enabling programs are a transition strategy with multiple benefits, especially for students from under-represented backgrounds.

History

Publication title

Handbook and Proceedings of the Inaugural Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success (STARS) Conference

Editors

K Nelson and R Field

Pagination

1-10

Department/School

Student Life and Enrichment

Publisher

Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success (STARS) Conference Committee

Place of publication

Australia

Event title

Inaugural Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success (STARS) Conference

Event Venue

Melboune, Australia

Date of Event (Start Date)

2015-07-01

Date of Event (End Date)

2015-07-04

Rights statement

Copyright unknown

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Learner and learning not elsewhere classified

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