Advising at South Plains College

1. Advising at South Plains College August 2011 “Frequent faculty-student contact in and out of the classroom is the most important factor in student motivation and involvement.”Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson, Eds, (1995)The Seven Principles in Action: Improving Undergraduate Education. Anker Publishing Co.

2. South Plains CollegeMission of Advising In February 2005, the Retention Team sponsored a faculty survey of advising services. Using the faculty’s responses, the Team developed a working mission of advising specific to the needs of faculty, staff and students at South Plains College.

3. Mission of Advising at SPC • Goals • Roles • Learning Outcomes

4. Advising System • At South Plains College, “Everyone’s an advisor” • System- Automatic Assignment of advisees based on major and campus location • Department chairs determine # of advisees to be assigned to each faculty member • In addition to program advisors, also have General Studies advisors and specialized TSI advisors

5. Darrell Grimes, Vice-President of Academic Affairs Office of Enrollment Management Advisement Management Team (Advising Coordinators) AMT is comprised of a representative from each academic, technical and health occupations department, as well as a representative from each Counseling Center (Levelland, Reese and Plainview), STAR Center, and the Diversity Coordinator. Representatives are appointed by their department chair. Faculty Advisors Counselors South Plains CollegeAdvising Administration & Coordination Flowchart Diversity Coordinator STAR Center

6. Advisement Management Team • The AMT makes recommendations for improving advising services to the Executive Council • The Team is also responsible for disseminating advising information throughout campus departments

7. Where do you fit in advising? • You’re the most important advising representative at SPC, so much that advising is included in your job description! • FACULTY HANDBOOK – SECTION 2.1(Selected descriptions) • To develop a rapport with students, so that they feel comfortable asking for assistance. • To post and observe office hours (at least eight hours per week). • To be familiar with the catalog and publications of the college. • To participate in community and social activities which improve the individual, the college, and the community. • To attend all faculty and departmental meetings. • To work with student personnel services concerning student welfare. • To assist in the advisement and orientation of new students. • To sponsor college clubs, organizations, and activities as assigned. • To serve as academic advisor.

8. Advising Resources • Advisor Development workshops at each campus location at least twice a year • TSI updates prior to open registration • Master Texan Advisor Workshop- Over 120 advisors certified as “Master Texan Advisors” • CampusConnect - Advisee List • Advising resources on MySPC under the Faculty tab

9. Advising: The Tools • Early Alert • Student Success Plan • Advising resources on website

10. You’re an essential piece! All effective retention programs have effective advising at their very core. Dr. Vincent Tinto, Syracuse University

11. Retention Team The goals of the Retention Team are to: • Ensure that progress on retention activities is being made • Make recommendations for improvement to services for students • Update the retention plan on a regular basis

12. The Retention Team consists of faculty appointed by department chairs, as well as student services and support staff • Everyone is invited to attend the regular meetings-lunch is included! • Since the Team’s inception in 2004, fall-to-spring retention rate of first-time-in-college students has increased from 66% to 77.3% • SPC won the Noel-Levitz Retention Excellence Award in 2008

13. To Learn More………. • Kimbra Quinn, Director of Enrollment Management • kquinn@southplainscollege.edu x 2114 • Christina Conner, Retention Specialist • cconner@southplainscollege.edu x 2961 • Offices in New Student Relations Building