Creating and Utilizing an Online Academic Advising Manual

Zach Perrine, Academic AdvisorPulaski Technical College

North Little Rock, AR

Welcome!

• Purpose– Create a document that can change and grow

• Design– Keep content organized and relevant

• Use– Give all advisors access to this resource

Pulaski Tech at a Glance

• Spring 2012 Numbers– 11,876 Enrolled– 50% Full Time– 50% Part Time– 1000% Enrollment Increase since 1991– Largest two-year college in Arkansas– Fifth largest public higher education institute in state

Pulaski Tech at a Glance

• Degree Types:– 29% Occupational/Technical Education– 71% General Education

• Demographics– 34% Male– 66% Female– Average Age: 30– 41% White– 54% African American– 3% Hispanic or Latino– 2% Other

Structure of Advising on Campus

• Seven PTC locations– Professional Advisors at three locations• Main

– 4 Full-Time Advisors– 1 Part-Time Technical Advisor– Coordinator

• South– 1 Full-Time Advisor– 1 Part-Time Technical Advisor

• West– 1 Part-Time Advisor

Structure of Advising on Campus

• After New Student Orientation or Transfer Registration, Advising is not Mandatory

• Variety of Departmental Advising• 90+ degree and certificate programs:

• Allied Health• Culinary Arts• Computer Information Systems• Early Childhood Education• Technical & Industrial

Structure of Advising on Campus

• Professional Advisors work with First Year Orientation class (College Seminar)– Advising Center Student Outreach

• PTC Faculty are not required to advise• Specific Faculty do advise certain programs• Advising Center has part time staff during

Registration periods

Why Go Online?

• Pulaski Tech is growing• Faculty and Staff need to be on the same

page• Information is constantly changing– Keeping track of new rules

Reasons for Blackboard

• System– Familiar to PTC

• Cost– Paying for product

• Maintenance– Support from Distance Learning

Tour of Manual

• Follow along with link on handout*– Username: jdean– Password: Letmein123

• Click on ADVS0101 Sec. 01

*https://bb-pulaskitech.blackboard.com/webapps/login

Home Page

Modules

Module 1: About PTC

Module 2: Advising Basics

Link to Youtube Video

Module 3: Registration

Module 4: Processes & Procedures

Link to ACTS

Link to NACADA

PTC Catalog Revisions

Specific Department Module

Specific Department Module

Quick Resource

Transfer Advising

Glossary

Wikis

Successes

• Advising Information in one place• Standardized concepts• Ability to share with other faculty/staff• Ease of updating• Other departments using manual• Have used with new advisors– Newest Full Time Advisor

Challenges

• It’s still new!• Better utilize tool for training• Departmental support could improve• Multimedia Aspects need to grow• Have to educate faculty/staff on Blackboard

Discussion

• Does your campus have a similar resource?• Has your department used a similar tool?• What ideas could you use?• What other ideas would you like to see?

Questions?

Contact

• Zach Perrine, Academic Advisor

• zperrine@pulaskitech.edu

• 501.812.2762