1. Annual Assessment Report
Academic Year: 2015-2016
Name of Program: College Assistance Migrant Program (C.A.M.P.)
Name of Institution: Eastern Washington University
Name of Contact Person: Noe Valdovinos
Name of Person(s) completing report or contributing to the project: Noe Valdovinos and Miguel Martinez
A. Abstract
Migrant students face unique circumstances that call for unique services and support. Many migrant students
assume multiple roles, such as being a student full time and facing adult responsibilities due to family and
work expectations back home. With such diverse household demands, inter-role conflicts within education
may occur. The College Assistance Migrant (C.A.M.P.) Program at Eastern Washington University (EWU)
has developed a daylong-conference to specifically engage migrant and C.A.M.P. eligible students in higher
education. The C.A.M.P. Program at EWU aimed for learning to take place at the main campus in Cheney
WA, by incorporating STEM related fields and exposure to campus resources. The purpose of the Migrant
Student Day Conference was to expose migrant and C.A.M.P. eligible students to higher education with the
intent to enhance their interest in STEM fields and in higher education. In addition, students learned about
admissions to EWU, how to prepare financially for college, were exposed to support services through
C.A.M.P., a professional panel, and lastly, student leadership and empowerment sessions presented by
previous C.A.M.P. students.
To assess the effectiveness of the Migrant Student Day Conference, evaluations were distributed to the
registered and actual conference attendees. Based on the learning outcomes to be measured, the responses
were scored and success of the 1st
annual Migrant Student Day Conference at EWU was determined.
Overall, the College Assistance Migrant Program at Eastern Washington University believes the data
supports the Conference methods of delivery and information of C.A.M.P. services and resources, campus
exposure to Admissions, Financial Aid, STEM and Empowerment and Leadership workshops as successful.
B. Introduction and context for this year’s report
1. The learning outcomes being assessed are stated below
Learning outcomes to be measured from the Migrant Student Day Conference:
• Students will be able to enhance their knowledge in fields such as the Sciences, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics.
• Students will learn about the specific university resources for EWU Admissions and Financial Aid.
• Students will be able to identify and network with other migrant students for the purposes of
leadership and empowerment.
• Students will connect with support services through C.A.M.P.
2. The relevance of the question relates to the work of the C.A.M.P. Program at EWU and the Office of
Migrant Education (OME)
The learning outcomes associated with the Conference are within the C.A.M.P. at EWU and the OME
Learning Outcome Domains:
• Persistence and Academic Achievement-Students that participate in the Migrant Student Day
Conference will be better equipped to persist towards a higher education and know what to expect
when applying to the C.A.M.P. Program.
• Knowledge Acquisition, Application, and Integration – Students that participated in the Migrant
Student Day Conference gained useful knowledge that applies to their lives when preparing for
2. college by filling out applications for higher education such as FAFSA, EWU Admissions, and
C.A.M.P. and Scholarships
Achievement of the learning outcomes also promoted the mission of C.A.M.P. at EWU and the goals and
objectives as stated on the grant. The mission of C.A.M.P. is to support students from migrant and seasonal
farm-working backgrounds during their first year in college. The program provides students with both
financial assistance and support services with the goal of preparing them to continue their education at a
four-year college or university. In addition, students will pursue STEM field majors and the intent is that
their interest in the field will increase by 15% by incorporating additional exposures as stated in the
C.A.M.P. grant. This Conference provided information that addressed some of the unique barriers migrant
students might face when pursuing their degree. By attending the Conference and informative sessions, the
student attendees now have knowledge and strategies to combat difficulties and misconceptions they may
encounter throughout their EWU experience, especially relating to their multiple roles as both being a full
time student and managing adult responsibilities back home.
3. How does answering these questions help our Department/Program?
Answering these questions and achieving the learning outcomes we have set for the Conference speaks to the
mission of C.A.M.P. We provided conference attendees with resources and information that will assist them
in achieving their academic goals and persist a 2nd
, 3rd
and 4th
year towards a successful graduation. We can
also analyze this method of delivery of information about resources and university processes for other
specialized populations such as for culturally diverse students at EWU and the parents of migrant students,
which we hope to hold in the near future.
4. Relevant research and/or literature that informs or contextualizes this project.
Latinos in the United States are among the fastest growing population. Among this population, migrants
make up a large portion of this rapidly growing community; however, the education attainment of this group
is not representative of their persistence towards higher education. According to the Pew Institute (2010) as
cited by Diaz (2012), while Latinos are among the fastest growing group, their bachelor degree completion
rate remains extremely low, having risen only 3% in the last 30 years. The reasons for low college
enrollment for migrant students are many. Latino migrant students are among the least likely to graduate
from high school and attend college (Gonzalez, 2013), migracy, low levels of education from parents, lack of
resources, and misguided information are a few of the educational detriments that these students are
currently facing.
In Washington State alone there are 7 C.A.M.P. Programs total (5 Universities and 2 Community Colleges),
however, aside from C.A.M.P., most four-year universities do not have programs geared specifically toward
migrant students. We here with C.A.M.P. at EWU believe that this population’s needs are so unique that they
would greatly benefit from such resources. One important initiative is to have a campus support system to
serve as a place where migrant students and parents can get their questions answered both in Spanish and
English and network with other migrant students with similar educational experiences. Our Conference
speaks to both of these essential aspects and with a future Migrant Parent Conference we hope to address
some of the stressors that migrant students face along with college preparation information.
A copy of the assessment evaluation form is included below.
C. Findings/Results and Discussion
1. The results
119 individuals participated in post-evaluation. 243 students attended the conference.
The following demographic information was collected:
o Students came from the following schools:
§ Wenatchee High School 38
§ Connell High School 22
§ Toppenish High School 35
§ Wahluke High School 6
3. § Eastmont High School 48
§ Mabton High School 31
§ Quincy High School 31
§ Tonasket High School 17
§ Prosser High School 15
Student’s general comments included praise on the overall conference (“What I liked was the advice they were
giving and how to prepare you for the future!” “I like how it was hands on experience and that everyone was
friendly”), information on favorite sessions, least favorite sessions, and compliments on the ability to network
(“I like how we were all separated. This helped me and everyone else meet new people …” “The professors
and how they expressed their hardships” “The thing I like about the conference was how Latinas can have an
education and be someone in life” “The motivation and support from the people in here”). Negative feedback
mostly related to the lengths of the conference or workshops and not enough fun activities
2. What was learned from the assessment?
Students increased knowledge of resources available and comfort in knowing some of the processes of
attending higher education, EWU specifically.
Below are the percentages of how students answered the evaluation questions.
§ Was this your first time at Eastern Washington University 68% yes 32% no
§ Would you apply to Eastern Washington University 89% yes, 3% no
§ Overall, how would you rate the conference 32% Excellent, 61% Good, 7% Fair, 0% Poor
The results are encouraging that the 1st
annual Migrant Student Day Conference provided significant
knowledge of resources to the students and gave them confidence in attending a four-year institution. A
challenge of the Conference was that not all conference attendees submitted their evaluations due to having to
leave early, however, a good portion did submit their feedback.
D. Implications
The results in the evaluations indicate the need for a conference, specifically for migrant students. The
conference was successful in encouraging migrant students to pursue a higher education and awareness of
resources, both within the University community and C.A.M.P. Students also networked with other students
from similar backgrounds.
Other departments within Academic Affairs can look at the model of an intensive daylong conference as a
good method of reaching culturally diverse programming and goals for specialized populations that need
special support structures. The College Assistance Migrant Program is hoping to also include a conference for
Parents of Migrant Children and High School Seniors who are Migrant and/or CAMP eligible while following
this model. The purpose of additional conferences is to increase knowledge and enrollment within the migrant
communities in the state of Washington.
In addition, some implications made it difficult for a more diverse range of locations and attendees to have
participated due to lack of funding. If funding was provided for housing specifically for schools coming from
the west side Seattle area and meals offered, a wider range of students could have been reached. This
complication was mentioned by lower budgeted schools, particularly Burlington Edison HS and Mount
Vernon, both located on the west side. Schools that participated in the conference this year and those that were
unable to participate, expressed interest in attending the following next year.
E. Collaborations
Internal university collaborations and outside partners played a role in the conference in terms of assisting with
exposing migrant students to higher education and careers, specifically through Eastern Washington University.
These departments included STEM related programs and others such as the College of Social Sciences, Dental
Hygiene, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Visual Communications. In addition, the Office of
Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid
4. Appendix – Student Post Evaluation Document:
Student Post Evaluation
Feedback below aided us in determining the need for a conference as such and in
planning for future events.
Was this your first time at Eastern Washington University?
What did you like most about the conference?
What could have been improved for next year’s conference?
What do you look for in a college campus?
Would you apply to Eastern Washington University?
Overall, how would you rate the conference?
MIGRANT STUDENT DAY
CONFERENCE 2015-2016