Northern Kentucky University Melody McMillan, Brian Kremer, Lynn Crane, October 2014

Mixed Advising Structures and Models PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS Assigned by issue Assigned by last name Assigned by major Assigned by student choice FACULTY ADVISORS ¾ time teaching Less than ¼ time advising Department chairs FRESHMEN SPECIALISTS Only in some departments Some ½ time faculty RETENTION SPECIALISTS Only in some departments ½ time faculty Assigned by major

The Great Divide between states… between advising centers

What advising structure ( s ) do you have at your home institution? ____________________________________________________

Mixed structures = mixed models

Confusion: CONFIRMED HURON REPORT FOUNDATIONS OF EXCELLENCE REPORT Centralize physical placement to deal directly with 1 st and 2 nd year students  Lack of consistency Recommendation: Create a modified central advising model Hire additional professional advisors to facilitate new model

New structure = new model

Implementation Hired 9 Network Advisors to facilitate new model Moved to central location

Implementation Challenges Attitude of dismissal “Sharing advisors” What will happen to me? Will students be more confused?

Implementation Decisions PHASE I Hire Network Advisors Network Advisors learn about “home” department(s) Begin Network Meetings PHASE II Restructure of Academic Advising Resource Center Clarify job descriptions of Network Advisors o Advisors share 20% of time 5 hours/week in central advising center Other time embedded in advising center o Strongly encouraged to collaborate 1-2 hours/month collaborating

Implementation Decisions Advisor Expectations Attend ‘Network Meetings’ in an effort to share updates, ideas, and collaborate on purpose o Bring info back to “home” department Establish a consistent flow of information related to departmental practices and policies

Implementation: RESULTS BENEFITS TO STUDENTS triage advising team advising change of major streamlined referrals advice on their time major exploration registration issues other

Implementation: RESULTS 1352 Walk-in students served by Network Advisors in % of students indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their walk-in advising experience BENEFITS TO STUDENTS

Implementation: RESULTS BENEFITS TO STAFF Staff CollaborationIdea Sharing Team Advising Transfer Advising International Student Advising Registration logistics more efficient “official” point person Network meetings Staff education

A new model Staff CollaborationIdea Sharing + = consistent advising

Implementation Suggestions Have a plan! o Define your challenges o Establish a hierarchy o Establish goals for Network o Create collaborative job descriptions o How will you assess? Did you meet your goals? Implement the plan! o Have an initial meeting- bring everyone together o Make Network meetings happen o Integrate opportunities to learn Assess the plan! o Are students coming? Why? o Are your staff learning? Improve the plan!

Creating your own Network model Strengths of the advising structures at your home institution: ____________________________________________________ Challenges of the advising structures at your home institution: ____________________________________________________

Creating your own Network model Who could be a “network advisor”? ____________________________________________________ Who could help coordinate the “network advisors”? ____________________________________________________

Questions?