South Dakota State University

Stephanie Brown, M.S., Nicole Gertken, M.S., Kayte Haggerty, M.S. & Ashley Kirchner, M.S.

South Dakota State University

Advisor Transition Event

(ATE)

South Dakota State University

Activity

Think back to a time during college in which you experienced a significant transition period

Examples: • Transition from high school to college• Transition between college years • Personal transition

• role change or change in expectation

South Dakota State University

Pair Share• Situation

– What kind of transition was it (positive, negative, expected, unexpected, desired, dreaded, good timing, poor timing etc.)

• Self– What was your previous experiences with transition? How did you deal

with uncertainty?

• Supports– Who helped or hindered you? Family? Friends? Colleagues?

In what ways did they support you?

• Strategies (plan of action)– What coping strategies did you use? How did you manage stress?

• Adapted from Transition Theory (Schlossberg et al. 1995)

South Dakota State University

• Rationale

• Target Population

• Theoretical Framework

• Objectives/Purpose

• Event Plan

• Evaluation/ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (S.W.O.T.) Analysis

ATE Overview

South Dakota State University

• Public land-grant institution• 133 years old• 4-year & 2-year degrees • Brookings, SD. Population 24,000 • SDSU Enrollment 12,554• 71 majors & 71 minors • Degrees offered both on-campus and online

SDSU Profile

Advising Model

First–Year AdvisorsRemain with advisor for 2 semesters or until 30 credits complete

Must declare a major and a 2.0 Cum GPA to transition

Professional AdvisorsRemain with advisor through graduation.

Majors: Nursing & Pharmacy

Faculty Advisors Second-Year through Graduation

 

Professional Advisors Second-Year through graduation

 

South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University

• Research: Primary Focus is Limiting• Schlossberg’s Transition Theory• Appreciative Advising: Six Phases

Previous Research on Transitioning Students

South Dakota State University

1: Foster a relationship with first-year student’s new advisor2: Provide an additional support member for

first-year students3:Connect students within the same major4: Provide first-year student with expectation and role of new advisor

Our Objectives

Economics (Econ)• Welcome and Introductions• Ice Breaker – Future Business Card• Second-year advisor

welcome/purpose• Clubs and Organizations• Second-year advisor

role/expectations• Panel Discussion – Student lead• Also:

– Food – Evaluation

South Dakota State University

Early Childhood Education (ECE)• Welcome

• Three rotations:– 1. Tour– 2. Meet your Advisor– 3. ECE Trivia

• Student panel and snacks

• Volunteering/Internships/Part-time work

• Evaluation

Event Plan

South Dakota State University

After today’s event:  Strongly Disagree

Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

Example:  Do you feel the color blue is better than green?   1 2 3 4Do you feel this event helped you connect with other students in your major?

1 2 3 4

Do you feel this event has provided you an opportunity to connect with additional support members on campus?

1 2 3 4

Did you find it helpful to meet your second year advisor prior to starting school in the fall?  

1 2 3 4

Do you feel comfortable contacting your second-year advisor in the future? 1 2 3 4Do you feel you have a clear understanding of the role and expectations of your second year advisor?

1 2 3 4

Would you recommend this event to another first-year student?     1 2 3 4

Did you enjoy today’s event?          1 2 3 4

How many clubs are you likely to join?    0 1 2 3 4+

What part of the event has been most helpful in understanding the transition into the second year?

How could we improve this event in the future?

Evaluation

South Dakota State University

• Economics (ECON)

• S= Strengths– Motivated & outgoing advisors– Location – Exclusive/ Personal invitations– Program Agenda (fun, interactive, student panel, ect.)

• W= Weaknesses– Student attendance– Variety of Marketing– Time

• O= Opportunities– 132 students invited– Marketing

• T= Threat– No student “buy-in”,– Conflicts with other events (on or off campus)

• Early Childhood Education

(ECE)

• S= Strengths– High achieving students– Rule followers– Reliable upperclassmen – Motivated advisors– Personal invitation

• W= Weaknesses– Student attendance– Various kinds of marketing– Limited time and longer sessions

• O= Opportunities– 97 Students invited– Word of mouth– Successful pilot event that can be replicated and built upon

• T= Threat– Students not valuing it– Conflicts with other events (on or off campus)

S.W.O.T. Analysis

South Dakota State University

Plan your own Advisor

Transition Event (ATE)

South Dakota State University

Panel: Questions and

Answers?

South Dakota State University

THANK YOU

For more information:

Stephanie.Brown@sdstate.edu Nicole.Gertken@sdstate.eduKayte.Haggerty@sdstate.eduAshley.Kirchner@sdstate.edu

or call 605-688-4155