Working with Academic Advisors to Prepare International Students for Success

1. Working with Academic Advisors to Prepare International Students for Success Presented by: Laura Masterson, Academic Advisor Asha McCauley, Academic Advisor Jennifer Nisevich, International Student Advisor

2. Agenda • Discussion • Background • Advisor Feedback • Student Feedback • In our experience… • Recommendations

3. photos.iupui.edu What do you think are the biggest concerns of academic advisors when working with international students?

4. 1,364 international students on campus Fall 2010 Enrollment increase of nearly 48% between 2001-2002 and 2010-2011 China, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia are the top 3 countries sending students to IUPUI Engineering and Technology, Business, Science, and University College host the largest number of undergraduate international students at IUPUI The International Scene at IUPUI

5. How we got started Student focus groups and advisor survey Comparison of international students’ perceptions of academic advising and related support services with academic advisors’ perceptions Ongoing working relationship between academic advisors and international student advisors Our Research

6. Reported advisor challenges when working with international students photos.iupui.edu ADVISOR FEEDBACK

7. Demographics Faculty advisors and staff advisors (N=55) Advisors in 11 academic schools across campus Strong interest in understanding student needs Increase in international student advising, mostly in University College Increased comfort level advising international students Three areas of focus: Specific questions or concerns Services and resources university should provide for international students Training and support for advisors Results from Advisor Survey

11. Major Themes: Process of Transfer Credit Evaluation Knowledge of Policies Training Specific to International Students Course Selection and Placement Student Access to Resources/People Major Themes Summary

12. Greatest challenges facing international students ADVISOR PERSPECTIVE

14. Reported student challenges STUDENT FEEDBACK photos.iupui.edu

15. Undergraduate students who have attended IUPUI for at least one semester and enrolled in Fall 2007 or later Three focus groups in spring 2009 Ten students total including one graduate student Represented majors Business Mathematics Computer Information Technology International Studies Communication Studies Pre-Nursing University College Students (N=4) Participated in Learning Communities (N=8) Represented Countries Saudi Arabia India Germany China Benin Qatar Korea Niger Student Demographics photos.iupui.edu

16. Major Themes Summary • Data Analysis, coded by response • Major Themes: • Financial issues • Information about scholarships • Difficulty in finding a campus job • Work authorization • Course placement • Secondary Themes • Transfer credit evaluation • Meeting with the same advisor • Living needs • Learning community feedback photos.iupui.edu

17. Comparison Financial importance Course placement/registration Understanding university policies Course placement/registration Transfer credit evaluation Cultural competency and communication Student access to resources and people Living needs Learning community importance Differences Similarities

18. Students expect many things out of their academic advisors IN OUR EXPERIENCE….

19. What do you think students want from their academic advisor? photos.iupui.edu

20. In our experience…Student Expectations for Academic Advisors • May expect advisor to tell them what to take, rather than be given choices and expected to make the ultimate decision. • May wish to build a relationship with one particular advisor, rather than meet with whoever is available. • May expect that negotiation and exceptions to rules are a normal part of the advising process.

21. In our experience…Perceived Student Expectations for Academic Advisors • May expect advisor to help them find a job. • May expect that academic advisors be aware of all of the special rules that apply to international students. • May expect that help will be offered, without having to directly request it. • May not be willing to contradict or disagree with advisor, because advisor is an authority figure.

22. Recommendations Educate advisors throughout the year How? • Offer workshops: • basics of enrollment requirements and limitations • overview of the process students undertake to come to the US • Invite advisors to attend your international orientation. • Explain any checks-and-balances your school has in place to keep students in status. • Share information about other campus offices that have special knowledge of the needs of international students.

23. Recommendations Educate students at orientation and beyond How? • Explain the role of Academic Advisors, and what they will expect from students. • Explain that ultimate responsibility for status lies with students. • Make aware of other resources on campus.

24. Recommendations Make resources available How? • Create a webpage that explains the Transfer Credit Procedure. (See example) • Create an easy-to-use reference sheet or webpage to explain basic enrollment requirements. (See example) • Share International Student Handbook with advisors. (See example) • Remind advisors they can always contact the international office directly with any questions.

25. Recommendations Collaborate on tricky topics How? • Work together to identify courses appropriate for enrollment before placement tests are done. • Work together to encourage the creation of more non-work study jobs on campus. • Identify liaisons among academic and international advisors to meet regularly to identify new issues and needs.

26. Recommendations Evaluate How? • Survey your academic advisors once per year to determine where they feel they need additional training and support. • Ask your academic advisors to identify convenient (and inconvenient) times of year to offer this training.

27. Recommendations Advertise How? • Take advantage of opportunities to talk to departments about your services. • Hold an Open House and invite academic advisors to meet International Office staff. • If your school has an advising listserv, send out an email at the beginning of each semester reminding advisors of the services available from the International Office. If not, create your own contacts.

28. QUESTIONS?

29. Michelle Hansen, Director of Assessment Cathy Buyarski, Sarah Baker - University College Brooke Watson Eric Williams and Betsy Trees Sandi Lemons, Jennifer Nisevich, Sara Allaei - Office of International Affairs Nathan Byrer Barbara Lingle All students and advisors Acknowledgments

30. Academic Affairs: Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of Faculties (2008, February). IUPUI Academic Plan. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from IUPUI, Office of Academic Affairs website: http://www.iupui.edu/administration/acad_affairs/actionplan/academic_plan_final.pdf Institute of International Education (2004, November 10). Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange [Electronic version]. Retrieved May 11, 2008, from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=50137 Institute of International Education (2008, November 17). Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange [Electronic version]. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=131590 Office of International Affairs, IUPUI (2010). 2010 International Enrollment Report [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved October 25, 2010 from http://international.iupui.edu/campus/enrollment-report.pdf. Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (2008, March). Indiana University International strategic plan. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Office of Creative Services. US Academic System. Office of International Affairs, IUPUI. Retrieved May 9, 2008 from http://www.iupui.edu/~oia/AD/system.html Sources