All incoming first-year students were connected post-NSO with online information and communication from their top 5 engagement choices via the Panther Involvement Network - PIN. During their in-person NSO event, each student attended a 'Panther Connect' session to dive deeper in their top desired involvement opportunity, where they were able to connect and share contact information with students that possess similar interests as them. An enhancement in 2024 was the reflective activity 'Pounce on Points' where students interacted with each other, sharing what they learned in the session and how they plan to engage, and met new friends, all while earning points towards various GSU prizes. Also deliver pre-collegiate modules related to developing a productive mindset and building college readiness skills.
Evaluation Plan and measures: Measure engagement by first year students through tracking activities in Panther Involvement Network and completion of modules
Goal or targets (for each KPI): 75% 1st year engagement and 75% completion of modules.
Panther Connect was piloted 2 years ago and expanded for Fall 2023. (Were there any changes to this program in 2024?
The Panther Connect program has helped increase the unduplicated # of students engaged by 20.5% in 2 years. To better support onboarding GSU launched 4 pre-collegiate animated modules for students in Fall 2024. One of the modules was designed to increase attendance in 1st week and decrease W rates. This fall GSU W rates for 1st year students decreased by 6% (from 955 in Fall 2023 to 897 in Fall 2024).
Adding modules, streamlining communications from engagement communities.
Strong technological implementation.
It would be nice if USG would help with contractual requirements (especially related to sole source and use over time) for common technologies used at multiple USG institutions such as Slate, CampusLogic, etc.
