Student Success

1
Student Success

• Towards a Common Goal

2
Introduction

• Catherine Duncan, Ed.S.
• Margaret Hansard
• Nicole Mayne, M.S.
• David Funk, Ph.D.
• Amy Sequeira-Saurey, M.A.

3
Who We Are

• Advising First
• Advisors for basic division, Freshman and
  Sophomore students.
• 45 advisors, both exploratory and major-specific.

4
What are we doing?

• In 2005 there were 30,000 undergraduates, 841 of
  these students were undecided freshman.
• Florida student population is growing.
• The University expects undecided students to
  select a major by the end of their freshman year.
• To help students in the major selection process,
  we have created major selection guides.

5
The Universitys Big Picture

• The need to restrict excess hours
• The existence of limited access programs with
  prerequisites
• GPA and enrollment caps
• Florida initiative for high school students
• Goal- reduce time to undergraduate degrees

6
Mapping

• Each major has an 8 semester/4 year MAP
• Each semester contains a list of academic
  milestones
• Failure to complete milestones leads to
  registration stops and major changes

7
The benefits of mapping

• Determines demand for courses
• Determines departmental resource needs
• Promotes timely graduation

8
Consequences for Students

• The pressure is on
• Time to achieve a degree is limited
• Choice of majors is limited
• Students often need more support and guidance to
  successfully meet the expectations placed on them
  by the mapping system

9
Consequences for Advising

• Increased the need for an exploratory advising
  center
• Led to the development of four exploratory majors
• Creative Arts, Humanities and Letters
• Communication, Human Services and Social Science
• Education and Teaching
• Science, Technology and Engineering

10
Exploratory Majors

• Exploratory advising center established 2005.
• Central location serves over 1250 exploratory
  students.
• Students Taking Exploratory Paths to Success.
• STEPS is the basis for exploratory advising.

11
From Advising Syllabus to Major Guide

• Initial goal of Advising as Teaching committee
• To build advising syllabus, to help navigate
  students through the major selection process.
• Adapted this idea into the concept of Major
  Guides.
• A concise handout for each of the four
  exploratory majors.
• A three month schedule that focuses on
  prescriptive information and developmental
  activities.

12
Three Month Major Selection Process

• Month 1
• Self exploration
• Month 2
• Exploring the major
• Month 3
• Exploring career paths and the job market

13
The major selection guide

• Addresses the problems that are most common for
  undecided students.
• Allows us to provide needed information and
  service to a large group of undecided students.
• Gives students the means to make efficient use of
  their time and resources.
• Promotes timely graduation and a positive use of
  university resources.

14
SUCCESS!!!!

• Student Achieves Major Selection