How soon is too soon ? Beginning the advising process before students begin classes

How soon is too soon? Beginning the advising process before students begin classes David I. Henriques Asst. Dean, School of Academic Programs & Services Shippensburg University dihenr@ship.edu Monday, February 7, 2011

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life -- Confucius

One of the 14 state universities in PASSHE Recognized in top 100 by Kiplinger's & US News National Collegiate Scouting Association ranks Ship 30thin DII. Highest 4-year graduation in PASSHE Largest undeclared program @ 1,000 students 4-year graduation rate exceeds 40% (undeclared) Approximately 35-40% of first-year students Staff includes myself, 5 GAs and 60 volunteer faculty advisors Overview

Office of Placement Testing • Philosophy: Intrusive Developmental Advising • Increase success in first semester • Front load services • Communicative • Retention Oriented (Time, $$$, Satisfaction Graduation)

Office of Placement Testing • 4-5 months before classes begin • Debriefing by academic coaches • “talk about majors” • Good scores vs poor scores • Why this major? • Careerism • Women and STEM majors

Major Exploration • Careerism • How many students change majors? • When is “normal” first contact. • Who triggers it? • Who is first contact? • What are the dangers?

Disconnect • Law School-English or economics major with political science or history or sociology or even science • Med. School-English major with biology or chemistry • Information Technology Management– Business Information Systems with Professional Technology Communication Studies minor • Advertising – Marketing or Comm/Journalism or Human Communications with Business or Art (Graphic Design) minor.

New Student Intake (95%) Linked with advisors Database Fall schedule review MAP Series 1 (June), 2 (Sept.), 3 (Dec.), 4 (May), & 5 (Aug.). Guidebook for Advising Undergraduate Students Advising/Scheduling newsletter Web resources 4 year Raider Plan templates “What can I do with a major in…” Faculty only serve as advisors Office of Undeclared Students

Introduction • Student intake/advisor information link • Students complete mini “SDS” • “Declare” initial interests: Assign Advisor • Students complete inventory: • Course interests • Rating academic skills • “Dream” major • Special registration considerations • Contact if mismatched

Academic Advising • The critical link to student success • “Good advising ma be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience.” • Dr. Richard Light • Making the most of college

Office of Undeclared Students • Website www.ship.edu/undeclared • Web resources (career, major selection, study skills, etc) • Curriculum sheets for each major • 4-year Raider plan templates for each major • Links to each major (department)

Shippensburg University • Summary • Dialogue begins months before stepping on campus • Second major change data • Intrusive developmental philosophy • Communicative/Connected • 4-year graduation in excess of 40% • www.ship.edu/undeclared • dihenr@ship.edu

How soon is too soon ? Beginning the advising process before students begin classes