Idna M. Corbett, Interim Dean, USSSS

1
Advising Initiatives
Presidents Council March 29, 2007

• Idna M. Corbett, Interim Dean, USSSS
• Bruce Norris, Co-Chair, UAAC

2
What is Developmental Advising?

• Academic advising is an educational process that,
  by intention and design, facilitates students
  understanding of the meaning and purpose of
  higher education and fosters their intellectual
  and personal development toward academic success
  and lifelong learning. (NACADA, 2004)
• Developmental academic advising is both a process
  and an orientation. It reflects the idea of
  movement and progression. It goes beyond simply
  giving information or signing a form.
• The desired result is that students will feel a
  sense of connection with the advisor and a sense
  of guidance, while realizing personal
  responsibility for exploring options and making
  decisions.

3
Does Developmental Advising make a difference?
Comparison of Declared and Undeclared Students
4
(No Transcript)
5
Advising Plan for Excellence

• Student Success Transformation
• S5. Strengthen the links between undergraduate
  academic and career advisement and programming
• S6. Improve retention, graduation, and
  time-to-degree rates by assisting students during
  key transitional periods in their academic
  careers

6
Advising is addressed at various levels within
the University

• University Academic Advising Committee
• Academic Advising Liaisons
• College-level initiatives
• Department-level initiatives
• Pre-Major Academic Advising and other special
  programs

7
Academic Affairs Goal for Advising for 2006-07

• Strengthen communications from the University
  Academic Advising Committee to faculty advisors,
  department chairs, and department liaisons via
  e-mail, special promotions for advising
  workshops, handbooks, etc.

8
Activities

• Meeting of departmental academic advising
  liaisons October
• The advising liaisons link the committee and the
  liaisons respective departments
• Together, the UAAC and the liaisons are
  developing a faculty advising handbook
• Advising Workshop with William Johnson January
• Focus on empowering students and faculty in the
  advising process

9
Activities (contd)

• UAAC Web site of information for all advisors
• http//sapphire.wcupa.net/USSSS/uaac/pagesample.as
  p
• New Initiatives proposal
• secure funding for workshops with external
  speakers
• development of an advising handbook
• maintenance of the advising Web site

10
Academic Affairs Goal for Advising for 2006-07

• Clarify campus-wide academic advising
  coordination regarding responsibilities,
  reporting lines, structures, committees, and
  dean-level involvement.

11
Activities

• Adopt definition of advising from National
  Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
• Develop list of Advising Duties and Desired
  Characteristics of Advisors
• Create a buy-in from faculty
• Meeting with Senate
• Meeting with Council of Chairs

12

• Meeting of representatives from various offices
  to address advising issues related to transfer
  students
• Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Academic Computing
• Registrar
• Bursar
• Residence Life and Housing
• New Student Orientation
• Public Safety
• Off-Campus Commuter Students

13
Academic Affairs Goal for Advising for 2006-07

• Prioritize student communications regarding
  academic advising goals, policies, and
  expectations via the departments of major, MyWCU,
  the Student Government Association (SGA)
  meetings, residence hall postings, the student
  newspaper, etc.

14
Activities

• Meeting with SGA November
• Development of Blackboard site for Pre-Major
  Advising
• Continuation of Ask the Ram

15
Academic Affairs Goal for Advising for 2006-07

• Develop additional strategies to assist pre-major
  students in selecting a major.

16
Activities

• Meetings with several departments to help
  facilitate the transfer to majors
• Mathematics
• Communication Studies
• Professional Studies
• History
• Athletics
• Strengthen connection between ADP advising and
  Pre-Major Advising

17
Next Steps

• Development of Advising Handbook
• Development of template for advising syllabus
• Gathering data on use and impact of Academic
  Recovery Plan
• Diversity grant to conduct workshops on advising
  special populations
• Hosting the annual meeting of the Intra System
  Academic Advising Network (ISAAN) May