Advising Advising at UNC Charlotte: from an Advising Summit to a Student Success Summit

2015 UNC Student Success SummitChapel Hill, NC April 1, 2015

Dr. Cynthia Wolf JohnsonAssociate Provost, Academic Services

Advising StructureDecentralized by Colleges

College of Arts & ArchitectureCollege of BusinessCollege of Computing & InformaticsCollege of EducationCollege of EngineeringCollege of Health & Human ServicesCollege of Liberal Arts & SciencesUniversity College (undeclared students)

Secondary Advising by Support UnitsAthletic Academic CenterHonors CollegeMulticultural Academic ServicesOffice of Adult Student & Evening ServicesOffice of Veterans ServicesTRIO Program (BEST Program)

History

2005: Advising Summit Identification of Problem (data; anecdotal evidence)Noel-Levitz consultant Student panel/Advisor panelReport and recommendations

2006: Reorganization including new position of Associate Provost for Academic Services

2007: Advising Redesign Team appointed

2007: University College and University Advising Center established focusing on undeclared students

2011: Provost’s Student Success Working Group convened

Advising Redesign TeamAssociate Provost for Academic Services, ChairAssociate DeansDean of University CollegeFaculty AdvisorsStaff Advisors & Directors of Advising CentersSenior Administrators of Academic Support Departments

Registrar, University Career Center, University Center for Academic Excellence, Athletic Academic Center, Orientation, Adult & Evening Student Services

All Colleges represented

Advising Redesign TeamKey Initiatives

Agreement on mission, expectations of advisors and studentsCreation of a central website (advising.uncc.edu)

Undergraduate Academic Advising Strategic Plans (2008-2013; 2013-2018 revised to 2015-2020)

Consistency & Improved QualityAcademic Plan of Study templateDepartmental advising website guidelinesBest practices for evaluation of advisingStandards/expectations for all academic departments/colleges

Advising Redesign TeamKey Initiatives

Improvement of Advisor Assignments in BannerNew Tools

Online tutorial for new advisorsOnline manual for all advisorsAcademic Advisor Development Program (intentionally integrating faculty advisors)

Campus-wide online advising tool (Niner Advisor; Starfish)

Provost’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising

Pre vs. Post- Advising Summit Data

1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 201050

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

69.2%

74.4%

64.7%66.9%

75.6%

Academic Advising in Your Major: Academic Advising Services Overall

Sophomores

Seniors

Exce

llent

& g

ood

ratin

gs co

mbi

ned

*Survey questions changed after 2010; comparing results does not yield interpretable conclusions because response options have changed from a 4-point scale (“Excellent-Good-Fair-Poor”) to a 5-point scale (“Very Satisfied-Satisfied-Neutral-Dissatisfied-Very Dissatisfied”). In 2013: 74.3% Seniors Very Satisfied & Satisfied with Academic Advising Overall.

Post- Advising Summit DataPercentage of Undergraduates with No Advisor Assignments in Banner

2008 11%

2010 4.6%

2012 1.7%

2014 0.7%

Advising Structure2005 Advisors 2015 Advisors

College of Arts & Architecture (CLAS/SOA)

Faculty Mostly FT Professional (some faculty)

College of Business Faculty All FT Professional

College of Computing & Informatics

Faculty Faculty

College of Education FT Professional & Faculty FT Professional & Faculty

College of Engineering FT Professional & Faculty FT Professional & Faculty

College of Health & Human Services

FT Professional & Faculty FT Professional & Faculty

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

FT Professional & Faculty FT Professional & Faculty

University College NA All FT Professional

Role of AdvisorsProvide accurate and timely information about degree and career-related requirements.

Be available during publicized office hours.

Respond to students’ inquiries within two business days.

Empower each student to make independent and informed decisions.

Be knowledgeable about policies and procedures.

Serve as a guide, teacher, facilitator, coach, and counselor.

Make appropriate referrals.

Role of Advisors (continued)Encourage active engagement in the curriculum-based advising process by using the CAPP degree audit.

Advise from an integrated perspective of general education, major(s), minor(s), experiential learning, study abroad.

Ensure smooth transition for students declaring and changing majors.

Keep accurate and up-to-date advising records in Niner Advisor.

Provide realistic options for students’ decision making and encourage reasonable time to degree.

Be resourceful, utilizing web-based resources, advising tools and professional development opportunities.

TechnologyNiner Advisor (including Niner Tutor), 2009

Online appointment schedulingOnline advising records shared by all advisors

Starfish, 2015Online appointment schedulingOnline advising records shared by all advisorsEarly alertStudent Success network

EAB’s Student Success CollaborativePilot 2013-14; full implementation Spring 2015Targeted Advising Campaigns each semester (not used for full advising records)

Is Academic Advising Required?Yes:

for all freshmen first and second semesterseach semester for all students in some majors (e.g., Biology, Criminal Justice, Physics, Psychology)each semester for some students in some majors/colleges depending on GPAeach semester for secondary advising for some groups (e.g., all student-athletes; some students on academic probation)for all students with senior standing in some majorsfor some students identified through targeted advising using EAB’s Student Success Collaborative platform

No:not for all, with hopes that many will effectively self-advise

Assessing Effectiveness of AdvisingMethods: SOAR, UNC GA Sophomore & Senior Surveys, NSSE, College/Department Surveys

Best Practices (2011)Type: quantitative and qualitativeDimensions: nature of the advising relationship, frequency of different types of activities that take place during advising sessions, students’ satisfaction with academic advising , students’ outcomes (increases in knowledge of academic environment, understanding of career goals etc.), advisors’ satisfaction

Role of Advising in Student SuccessSignificant!

Reason for:Organizational change in 2006Establishment of Advising Redesign Team in 2007 (high-level, strategic, advocacy)Appointments to chair Task Forces (e.g., one-system online tool; degree audit system)Leading initiatives such as implementation of StarfishParticipating in initiatives such as curriculum reviewAppointments to Provost’s Student Success Working Group

Challenges Remain

Next StepsExamining FT professional advisor positions ; possibly restructure to allow for professional advancement

Continue to find ways to integrate academic advisors into curriculum discussions

Continue to improve/streamline technology tools

Increase group and online advising to meet needs of increased enrollment

More cross-training between FT academic advisors, career advisors, and financial aid advisors

Continue to find ways to integrate academic advisors into conversations about student success

That’s Our Journey…

… from an Advising Summit in 2005 to a Student Success Summit in 2015!