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Measuring Post-Graduation Effects of High-Impact Practices Through Alumni Data

Measuring Post-Graduation Effects of High-Impact Practices Through Alumni Data

Includes a Live Web Event on 03/11/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)

The Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) was developed in 2013 at a large, public institution to address the unique needs of second-year students. The program focuses on mentorship, professional development, and participation in a high impact practice like Education Abroad, Undergraduate Research, or Internships. This presentation will share results from a survey of alumni who participated in STEP as an undergraduate student and why this data is meaningful for institutional interest in the importance of High Impact Practices. 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Identify the key features of STEP, including its purpose, student participation in High Impact Practices (HIP), and positive outcomes on student success. 
  2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the STEP program based on alumni satisfaction and learning outcomes data. 
  3. Examine how alumni data on STEP and participation and High Impact Practices are connected to broader institutional outcomes. 
  4. Identify opportunities for alumni data collection efforts and programs that promote HIP partnership at their own institutions.

Julie Schultz

Program Director for STEP and Strategic Student Initiatives

The Ohio State University

Julie Schultz, EdD, is the Program Director of the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) and Strategic Student Initiatives at The Ohio State University. Her professional portfolio includes providing leadership for STEP, the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Learning Community focused on reducing college student debt, and the Student Life Learning Goals and Outcomes. She has presented at more than 25 national conferences and has over 20 years of experience in Higher Education focused on student success, retention and persistence, mentorship, and student learning. 

Leah Halper

Associate Director

The Ohio State University

Leah has a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and serves as an Associate Director in the Center for the Study of Student Life at The Ohio State University, where she oversees and directs research key initiatives such as the Graduation Survey, First Destination data, LENA (a leadership needs assessment), research on the Student Employment Experience (SEE), and research about the Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP). Her focal assessment and research areas include career outcomes, administrative excellence and operational data, student/staff employment and the student residential experience. Additionally, she offers consultation to various units seeking to improve their workplace processes and dynamics. Through these efforts, she seeks to bridge the gap between research and practice, driving meaningful change both in student outcomes and broader workplace environments.

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