Yolanda Williams, MPA and Shunverie Barrientez, M.S. The University of Texas at San Antonio

Yolanda Williams, MPA and Shunverie Barrientez, M.S.

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Las Vegas 2015 Code 1051

Stack the deck in your favor, play the Proactive Advising Game and hit the JACKPOT! PresentersShunverie Barrientez, M.S.Honors CollegeAcademic Advisor IICaseload: 3138 Years AdvisingAdjunct FacultyDiversity & Minority Retention Consultant

Yolanda Davis, MPAStudent PlacementAcademic Advisor IVCaseload:21515 Years AdvisingAdjunct FacultyHigher Education Consultant

About UTSAThe University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is an emerging Tier One, research institution with nearly 29,000 students. UTSA is the largest university in the San Antonio metropolitan region.Established in196925,000 UndergraduatesMajority minority student bodyHispanic Serving InstitutionRanks #5 in the nation in number of degrees awarded to Hispanics50% first-generation> 40% Pell eligibleEvolving admission standards35% 6 year Graduation Rate

Presentation ObjectivesIdentify key players responsible for retention and student success

Define proactive advising

Characteristics of a successful proactive advisor

Describe the tools and strategies we utilized to develop a successful program.

BradWho is Responsible for Student Success and Retention? Key Players in Student Success AdmissionsAcademic advisingStudent AffairsFacultyAcademic DepartmentsAcademic support servicesFinancial Aid Career ServicesFamily support

Shun

6EVERYONEKey Players

Thomas & Minton (2004)Takes individuality & diversity into accountAdvisor & student share responsibility

Cuseo (2003)Suggests that good advising is systematic and ongoing, involving a close student - advisor relationship - frequent interactions between the student and the advisor.

What is Proactive/Intrusive Advising?

BradProactive Advising

ShunIncrease retention

Improve graduation rates

Enhance student satisfaction

Why Implement Proactive Advising?Shun

What is Proactive Advising is Not!

Hand holdingMore work for advisorsMicro AdvisingYolanda

Characteristics of Proactive Advising

PersonableRelationship buildingStudent specificCustomizable

PositiveEngagingValuableStrategic

ProductiveResourcefulRetention focusedAccountability

Shun,PersonalbleRelationship buildingStudent specificCustomizablePositiveEngagingValuableStrategic ProductiveResourcefulRetention focusedAccountability

Proactive Advising Strategies Anticipate student needs and challenges

Provide relevant and timely information

Use data to identify at risk students

Provide appropriate intervention

Monitor and track Gateway courses strong predictors of student persistence in a major

Connect students to appropriate resources

YolandaProactive strategies, such as academic alerts, enable advisors to help students while they still have time and options to improve grades. Proactive Advising Tool Kit

Institutional Data

Monthly Calendars

Registration Deadlines

Academic Calendars

Catalogs

Degree plans

Training

Technology

Yolanda: because we are most familiar with our advisees, this will likely facilitate more effective advising practices

Outreach Resources Utilized by Advisors

Yolanda: because we are most familiar with our advisees, this will likely facilitate more effective advising practices

Obstacles We Faced Training new advisors

Advisor Buy-In

Technology

Communication and coordination between advising centers

Constant changes

Shun

New Proactive Initiatives

EAB (Education Advisory Board)

Orientation

ENGAGE

Recently implemented, EABs targeted advising campaigns enable advisors to direct proactive outreach to specific populations of students in need of supplemental attention.

17Academic Advising Calendar SeptemberOctoberNovember December

Advise new freshman (first appt)**outreach in AugMidterm grades dueRegistration Calendar availableAdvise new freshman(second appt)Advise Continuing students**outreach in Sept

Spring Registration beginsWalk-insAdvise all studentsWalk-ins Finals

Some Questions Analytics Can Help Answer Which students should I contact today?

Which students are on or off track ?19Assessment Coming

ConclusionHaving a caseload has made it easier to establish relationships with students. It helps that they consistently communicate with me instead of simply the first available person. I recognize names and faces much more easily, and it takes less time to get up to speed with their situations. It has also helped reduce the amount of students who intentionally try to see multiple advisors to shop for different answers.

Matt D. KenesonAcademic Advisor IThe University of Texas at San AntonioAdvisor FeedbackHaving an assigned caseload, enables both the student and the advisor to build a relationship of trust and freedom. This fosters a comfortable atmosphere and allows the student to have more open communication when expressing their educational concerns and issues.

Donna R. Ware, M.A.Academic Advisor III.The University of Texas at San AntonioShun22Student FeedbackI love the fact that I am treated like familyI feel very comfortable and very safe in trusting my college future with my advisor.My advisor was awesome and everything someone could ask for in an advisor.My advisor is amazing and helps us so much. She really knows what to do and will give you the best adviceShun23References

Evans,N.J., Forney, D.S., Guido-Dibrito,F. (1998) Student development in college: theory, research, and practice. San Francisco: Josse-Bass.Pascarella, E. & Terenzini, P. (1991). How college affects students: findings and insights from twenty years of research. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.Office of Institutional Research, (2006). UTSA Fact Book.Case Management Society of America. (2008). What is a case manager? Retrieved November 27, 2008, from http://www.cmsa.org/Home/CMSA/WhatisaCaseManager/tabid/224/Default.aspxCruise, C. A. (2002). Advising students on academic probation. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal, 4(4). Retrieved August 20, 2008, from http://www.psu.edu/dus/mentor

Now Its Your Turn to Play The hand youve been dealtTHANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & ATTENTION

Shunverie.Barrientez@UTSA.edu

Yolanda.Davis@UTSA.edu