Starting Smartly

Heading off to college can be daunting for some students. They are leaving home for the first time and being dropped in a new and, often, unknown environment. There might be a tinge of homesickness, but that’s not admitted nor acknowledged by these newly independent young adults.

Then there are the academic challenges. What might have come so easily in high school isn’t the same at a university. The standards and expectations are higher, and there sure are a lot more people about. And the size of campus? Is it possible to get from one end to the other between classes?

There are multiple questions and concerns facing new students as they enter Utah State University. But, there are programs that provide support as well, and one of the newest programs is coordinated by USU’s Housing and Residence Life office.

A group of students gathered March 18 to celebrate the Aggie Smart Start Scholarship program, and there were a number of people and organizations to recognize and thank. The dinner was a success, but what is the Aggie Smart Start program and how did it get its start?

The foundation is laid with a new university provider contract and coordination and special agreements with the business world. When Utah State University signed a new contract in 2013 with Admiral Beverage Company and its affiliate Peps-Cola of Logan making the soft drink distributor the exclusive provider on campus, a clause in the contract stipulated that a scholarship fund would be a part of the agreement.

It was decided that USU’s office of Housing and Residence Life would coordinate the scholarship program, and Senior Executive Director Steven Jenson soon put together a team to get the first-of-its-kind program off the ground. The goal? To make the transition into college life a bit easier through a number of resources while building leadership skills at the same time.

The scholarship support from the Pepsi contract provides financial assistance to students and their housing and dining contracts at USU.

Students went through an application process to meet certain criteria, and a mix of students were selected as recipients in the program’s first year under the Pepsi agreement. Those accepted were granted scholarships and all live in the Towers on USU’s campus. As of spring 2015, approximately 113 students participated in the Aggie Smart Start Scholarship program.

The students were divided into groups of approximately 10, each led by an academic mentor who offered guidance during the year and directed group activity sessions. Also included, thanks to a special agreement with Franklin Covey, was training in the Seven Habits Signature Program of Highly Effective People.

“One of our objectives is to help students succeed,” said Jenson. “We wanted to bring everyone in the scholarship program together as a learning community.”

And the group had a newly remodeled space in the basement of the Junction, completed by USU Facilities, to gather for study and activities.

According to Jenson, 22 percent of USU’s students live on campus and those in the Aggie Smart Start Scholarship Program represent a smaller cohort. But, figures collected by USU’s Office of Analysis, Assessment and Accreditation — AAA — show that students living on campus do better academically than those who do not. And, the students in the Smart Start program have even more of a leg up.

A set of figures prepared by AAA shows that freshmen and sophomores living on campus have significantly higher GPAs. The average on-campus freshman GPA was 2.84 while the off-campus students earned an average 2.64. The GPAs for sophomores were a bit closer, but the on-campus group still maintained higher marks at 3.10 compared to 2.99. When students from the Smart Start cohort were compared, they, in turn, had higher GPAs in both the freshman and sophomore groups.

Also, the AAA office compared the number of credit hours taken by students living on and off campus. These figures also show that at the freshman (14.54 vs 12.88), sophomore (14.45 vs 12.94), junior (14.24 vs 13.34) and senior (13.75 vs 13.06) class levels, students living on campus carry a higher credit load than those not living on campus.

The bottom line for the students and, one would imagine their supportive parents, is that achieving higher grades and taking more classes speaks highly of the decision to live on campus and the support of USU’s Housing and Residence Life office. And, this has been the trend for the past 10 years at USU.

“We have been pleased with the Smart Start Scholarship program,” Jenson said. “It will be expanded in 2015-16 and we hope for even more successes.”

The year-end banquet and recognition evening included scholarship recipients, business leaders and university officials. Among the guests were representatives of Franklin Covey and Admiral Beverage Company.

Michael Ockey, director of higher education at Franklin Covey, spoke, emphasizing principles-centered leadership.

“Leadership is a choice, not a position,” he told the students. “Everyone is a leader. You just have to find your voice and as I look over this room of students, many of you have found your ‘voice.’ I honor you and recognize you.”

Alan Andersen, executive director of USU’s Dining Services, introduced Randy Jensen, vice president of Admiral Beverage.

“When the request for the new contract went out, it included a stipulation that would create a living/learning scholarship,” Andersen said in his introduction. “Without Pepsi, this program wouldn’t exist.”

Speaking on behalf of Pepsi, Jensen acknowledged the students.

“We love working with USU,” he said. “We cherish the opportunity to support students.”

As the group of Pepsi representatives stood, a group of students representing the scholarship program presented a thank-you card that had been signed by many of the students that evening.

Throughout the ceremony, slides with student comments about the program rolled across a screen, including this sampling:

• Kyle Dunbar, business administration, “The mentor sessions keep me informed about resources.”
• McKayla Sharp, special education, “My favorite social was ‘Love Your Body.’ There were good comments and uplifting conversations.”
• Ashley Crystal, theatre arts and business, “My Academic Mentor is easy to talk to and very willing to help me get things done.”
• Christian Blake, actuarial science, “The scholarship program has given me resources to effectively study for school and tests.”
• Taylor Loosli, aviation technology, “The program has helped me with accountability, scheduling and prioritizing.”
• Nick Jugganaikloo, electrical engineering, “I really benefited from a workshop about registering for classes. They taught me all the tip and tricks to make sure I got the classes I want.”
• Cynthia Gilbertson, mechanical engineering, “The program has helped me get to know some people here, which has made it easier to transition to college.”

The evening’s final speaker was Utah State University President Stan Albrecht, who emphasized his commitment to access to higher education for everyone and making that access possible, especially to first-generation university students, much like he had been. He acknowledged the partnerships with organizations like Franklin Covey and Pepsi that provide resources and financial support to the students. He also acknowledged that working with students is a highlight for him.

“After ten years as Utah State University’s president, I still wake up excited for the opportunity of opening these doors for you,” he said. “Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for being a Utah State University student.”

Contact: Steven Jenson, 435-797-3116, steve.jenson@usu.edu

Writer: Patrick Williams, 435-797-1354, patrick.williams@usu.edu