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If you Build it-They will Come: Building a Bridge Between First-Year Students and Advising

If you Build it-They will Come: Building a Bridge Between First-Year Students and Advising. October 21, 2013 National Conference on Students in Transition Sue Saunders – California State University Channel Islands. Presentation Overview.

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If you Build it-They will Come: Building a Bridge Between First-Year Students and Advising

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  1. If you Build it-They will Come: Building a Bridge Between First-Year Students and Advising October 21, 2013 National Conference on Students in Transition Sue Saunders – California State University Channel Islands

  2. Presentation Overview • Brief overview of our campus size, advising model and staffing • Why the need for early freshman advising • Strategies utilized to increase freshman advising during the first year • Assessment

  3. California State University Channel Islands • Located in Camarillo, California (approximately one hour from Santa Barbara) • 23rd Cal State • University

  4. Growth Of The Campus • Opened doors to transfer students Fall 2002 • Opened doors to freshman students Fall 2003 • Approximately 5,000 students

  5. Academic Advising Professional Staff • Director of Academic Advising & Learning Support Services • Assistant Director of Academic Advising • 5 Full-time Professional Advisors • 1 Administrative Support Coordinator • 5 Peer Advisors • 3 Student Assistants • 1 Graduate Intern per Semester

  6. Goal: Enhance and Increase Freshman Advising First Year • Highly effective academic advising is critical to student retention leading to degree completion • Concentrated our efforts in the following areas: • Early Communication – Prior to Orientation • Orientation (IVO) and Summer Connections -Professional Advisors/Peer Advisors • Strategies to increase advising connections during crucial first year

  7. Early Communication – Prior to Orientation

  8. Early Communication Hobson email from Admissions • Welcome to CI • Intro to Advising Staff • Explains group advisement and advising connections during Orientation • How registration will take place Fall 2012 • Added on-line homework assignments to Early Communication prior to IVO • Students came to IVO better prepared Fall 2013 • Added on-line Pre-Orientation modules - Early Communication prior to IVO • Students came to IVO better prepared

  9. IVO and Summer Strategies Utilized to Build Connections to Advising Island View Orientation

  10. Island View Orientation (IVO) • Two-Day mandatory Orientation • 2011 - Facilitated two workshops (first day) • Students registered on the second day • 2012/2013 - Build schedule and Schedule Check • Students registered at home

  11. Encouragement of University 100(Student Success Seminar – 1 credit) • Promoted during Island View Orientation • Flyer in Orientation Packet • Promoted during the Parent Session

  12. First Semester Course Suggestions • Maps out a plan for the first semester • Lists University 100 as a suggested course on all major sheets • #1 tool to use in selecting first courses • Easy for students and peer advisors to follow during schedule build session • A key reference to take home for review before registering on-line

  13. Last communication during IVO • Make a STAR appointment

  14. Summer Strategies (after IVO) • Fall 2012 students registered at home for the first time • Advisors checked schedules • Goal: all freshmen full time and in appropriate courses • Two Weeks during the summer students returned to the campus to meet with Peer and Professional Advisors one-on-one (phone/Skype appts. available as well) • Eliminated much of the add/drop activity during the first few weeks of the semester

  15. Strategies to increase advising connections during crucial first year

  16. Importance Of Freshman Advising During The First Two Terms • During Orientation Freshman students are on information overload – How much do they really remember about advising and requirements?? • Goal established – To bring as many freshmen in for Advising Sessions during 1st term • Students are more likely to retain information • Students are more likely to stay in contact with advising throughout the academic journey • Students are less likely to make mistakes with future course selections

  17. Strategies to Increase Connections During Academic Year • Targeted the following: • University 100 • STAR appointments • Increase the Availability of freshmen STAR Appointments • Peer Advising • Connection with Professional Advisors • Delivery of Services

  18. Advising Collaboration with University 100 • 40-50% Enroll in University 100 • Professional Advisors encouraged to teach a course • A Peer Advisor is assigned to each course • Major assignment is to complete the STAR Appointment

  19. Star Appointment • Set the foundation for the advising experience • Review the Advising Syllabus (both student and PA sign) • Review GE/Major advising forms • Brief explanation of the CI Academic Requirements Report • Begin the foundation for the educational plan

  20. Star Appointment • Begin the process of selecting spring schedule • Conclude with importance of Advising Portfolio • Student completes evaluation of session • Advisor places notes in AdvisorTrac

  21. Consistent Advising Through Star Appointment √ List • Academic Affairs Contract • Advising Contract • Inform student about faculty advising – encourage mentoring relationship with faculty • Review advising brochure http://www.csuci.edu/academics/advising/islandcompass.htm

  22. Student Leaves STAR APPT With Plan For Next Semester • Documents courses suggested by advisor • Reinforces some general planning tips & grad requirements • Reinforces faculty advising • No need for student to return for advising once the schedule is out

  23. Professional Advisors VS Peer Advisors… That is the ? • IVO– Professional Advisors lead workshops to assist students with basic understanding of degree requirements and schedule building • Once the semester begins – Professional advisors spend more time with transfer students and continuing students with more complex advising issues • Peer Advising came on board to meet the demands for additional freshman advising

  24. Strong Dependence on Peer Advising for the First Year • Peer Advising is compatible with all advising delivery models • Tight Budgets – expansion of advising units • Peer advisors working with appropriate advising tasks free up professional advisors for more complex advising appointments • Provides students with professional growth and leadership opportunities • Students informally advise students – Why leave it to chance? (formalize the program)

  25. Is it possible for Professional Advisors to Connect with Freshmen in a Meaningful Way? • CI Freshmen population growing each year • Freshmen connect briefly with professional advisors during orientation • Outcome: • Freshmen losing connection with Professional Advisors once term starts

  26. STAR Week Workshop Plan Fall 2011 a plan was developed to engage professional advisors with freshmen during the first semester • Decision was made to offer group workshops for Freshmen • Cover all information in one-on-one advising session

  27. STAR Week Fall 2011 • Professional Advisors facilitated 6 workshops a day for a week • Limited to 10 students • Held in Conference Room with laptops • Peer Advisors on–hand to assist with course selections for Spring semester

  28. STAR Weeks Fall 2012/2013 • Now offering sessions in our own workshop room located in the Advising Center • Most sessions are not specific to major • Piloting 5 most popular major sessions

  29. Promotion of STAR Weeks • Email sent to all freshmen • Posters • All TV Screens on campus • University 100 assignment

  30. STAR Week Evaluation

  31. STAR Week Results • 185 students attended • 163 Evaluations completed • I understand the advising structure at CI and know what is expected of me as the student in the advising process (52% strongly agree and 45% agree) • The advising portfolio I received will be useful in understanding CI major and graduation requirements (64% strongly agree 33% agree) • After completing the STAR session, I know how to select my Spring 2012 classes (58% strongly agree and 37% agree) • My overall impression of the academic advising I received during this STAR session was a positive one (61% strongly agree and 37% agree)

  32. STAR Appointment Format for the Remaining Year • Professional Advisors facilitate Transfer STAR appointments for the rest of the semester • Peer Advisors continue to meet with freshmen students for one-on-one STAR appointments for the remaining academic year

  33. Peer Advisor Assessment Results (238 Surveys) • My Peer Advisor was willing to spend sufficient time with my issues and concerns. (95% strongly agree and 5% agree) • My Peer Advisor was well informed of other campus services and referred me to the appropriate Department/Office. (If applicable) (86% strongly agree and 7% agree) • My Peer Advisor was approachable and easy to talk to (95% strongly agree and 4% agree) • My overall impression of the Advising Center is positive. (92% strongly agree and 8% agree)

  34. Peer Advisor Assessment • “My appointment was very helpful! I have a strong idea as to how I will plan my next few years at CSUCI.” • “My Peer Advisor was very friendly and helped me with the information I required and much more. The advising she gave me was overall very effective.” • “Gave me so much information! Reassured me I made the right choice for my education by picking Channel Islands. ” • “Ellen was very easy to talk to and a great resource for me to figure out my path for the future. It was a great experience! Thank you!”

  35. Advising Not Mandatory – Proactive Strategy To Bring In The Remaining Freshmen! • Fall semester email campaign to all students not enrolled in University 100 • Second semester –Email campaign • Peer Advisor – Focus on this strategy Spring Semester

  36. STAR Appointment Assessment • End of the Fall Semester – 73% of Freshmen completed a STAR appointment • 57% of the Freshmen met one-on-one with Peer Advisors • 41% attended our first “STAR WEEK” group Star Appointment • 2% of the freshmen met one-on-one with a Professional Advisor

  37. Staffing and Delivery of Services Follow the STAR…Leads to all advising services STAR Appointments – One Hour General Appointments – half-hour Walk-in Tuesday and Wednesdays – Two Advisors

  38. Question And Answer Session • Contact Information: • Sue Saunders, Director of Academic Advising and Learning Support Services • sue.saunders@csuci.edu • 805-437-8514

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