Timeline

At least 8–12 months prior to implementation, identify what is possible within a 12–24 month timeline from the Dream Big exercise. What is realistic for your campus and existing commitments?

September:

• Appoint 1–2 individuals to manage/oversee the program 
• Design program
• Decide courses and faculty selection process
• Send out a call for teaching proposals to host institutions and community college partners
• Identify campus partners needed, both internal and external
• Review budget
• Connect with appropriate campus partners for space use and availability 
• Organize logistics for room and board

October:

• Confirm coordinators with community college partners; in beginning years, an in-person event is advised
• Collaborate with peer institutions to share ideas and strategies
• Select courses or mini-courses and faculty 
• Decide on selection process and criteria for student participants

November:

• Review student application and application process (digital)
• Determine student application due date
• Review Exploring Transfer website and FAQs
• Host information sessions for interested community college students

December:

• Send out instructor contracts
• Confirm course descriptions and add to website; ensure language is accessible
• Host information sessions for interested community college students

January:

• Make student application available 
• Review application forms for Student Leaders
• Confirm use of all spaces with campus activities
• Confirm health insurance for participants if planning a residential program
• Host information sessions for interested community college students
• Design and organize faculty professional development series

February:

• Assess student applications for completion
• Outline workshops/support sessions for student participants
• Identify mental health support person(s)
• Coordinate with campus activities for access cards, dining, security
• List and promote Student Leaders positions 
• Host 1st faculty workshop (focus: team teaching)

March:

• Organize student applications in preparation for review
• Host 2nd faculty workshop: (focus: participation selection)
• Collect letters of recs due for Student Leaders

April:

• Notify students (acceptance, wait list, nonacceptance)
• Host 3rd faculty workshop (focus: inclusive teaching and working with Student Leaders)
• Place book or reader orders
• Interview Student Leaders
• Send hire letters send to Student Leaders
• Review with campus activities regarding access cards, dining, security

May:

• Send student list with bio information to Registrar
• Initiate digital learning management system set up
• Host 4th faculty workshop (focus: student learning styles, neurodiversity; accessibility)
• Finalize social schedule for program
• Assign rooms for lodging
• Design team building and professional workshops for Student Leaders
• Design program assessment

June:  

• Disseminate schedule to campus partners
• Welcome Student Leaders for team building and training to prepare for participant arrival; this includes decorating, room checks, training for leadership
• Consider whether there will be any ongoing support or engagement with selected students after the program ends

July:

• Host program
• Hold regular check ins with faculty and student leaders
• Send out student evaluation of program

August:

• Review program; what worked, what needs improvement/tweaking?
• Send updates/quoted materials/pictures to advancement
• Convene steering committee and share assessments with stakeholders