If you Build it-They will Come: Building a Bridge Between

First-Year Students and Advising

October 21, 2013National Conference on Students in Transition

Sue Saunders – California State University Channel Islands

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

• Located in Camarillo, California (approximately one hour from Santa Barbara)

• 23rd Cal State University

California State University Channel Islands

Growth Of The Campus

Opened doors to transfer students Fall 2002

Opened doors to freshman students Fall 2003

Approximately 5,000 students

Academic Advising Professional Staf

• 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

Highly efective academic advising is critical to student retention leading to degree completion

•Concentrated our eforts 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

Goal: Enhance and Increase Freshman Advising First Year

Early Communication

– Prior to

Orientation

Early CommunicationHobson email from Admissions

Welcome to CI Intro to Advising Staf 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

Island View Orientation

IVO and Summer

Strategies Utilized to

Build Connections to

Advising

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 CheckStudents registered at home

Encouragement of University 100(Student Success Seminar – 1 credit)

Promoted during Island View Orientation

Flyer in Orientation Packet Promoted during the Parent Session

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

Last communication during IVO Make a STAR appointment

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

Strategies to increase

advising connections

during crucial first year

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

Targeted the following:

• University 100

• STAR appointments Increase the Availability of

freshmen STAR Appointments Peer Advising Connection with Professional

Advisors

• Delivery of Services

Strategies to Increase Connections During Academic Year

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

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

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

Consistent Advising Through Star Appointment √ List

Academic Afairs Contract Advising Contract Inform student about faculty advising – encourage

mentoring relationship with faculty Review advising brochure

http://www.csuci.edu/academics/advising/islandcompass.htm

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

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

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)

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

STAR Week Workshop Plan

Fall 2011 a plan was developed to engage professional advisors with freshmen during the first semester

Decision was made to ofer group workshops for Freshmen

Cover all information in one-on-one advising session

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

STAR Weeks Fall 2012/2013

Now ofering sessions in our own workshop room located in the Advising Center

Most sessions are not specific to major Piloting 5 most popular major sessions

Promotion of STAR Weeks

• Email sent to all freshmen

• Posters • All TV Screens on

campus• University 100

assignment

STAR Week Evaluation

STAR Week Results 185 students attended 163 Evaluations completedI 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)

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

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)

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 efective.”

“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!”

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

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

Staffing and Delivery of Services

STAR Appointments – One HourGeneral Appointments – half-hourWalk-in Tuesday and Wednesdays – Two Advisors

Follow the STAR…Leads to

all advising services

Question And Answer Session

Contact Information:Sue Saunders, Director of Academic

Advising and Learning Support Servicessue.saunders@csuci.edu805-437-8514