SO you Thought College would be easy? Maggie Bishop and Imani Cabell - University of North Georgia Understanding the First Year Student through Student Development Theories and Advising

Who Are We? Graduated from University of West Georgia Bachelor’s: Business Marketing and Business Management Master’s: Professional Counseling College Student Affairs Graduated from University of Central Missouri Bachelor : Communication Master’s: Higher Education Administration University of North Georgia Pre-Nursing Advisor University of North Georgia Academic Coordinator

What You Can Expect: Examine the First Year Student Define three different student development theories Share how these theories can be applied to advising first year students

“Advisors have license to draw upon a wide array of theoretical perspectives because they have come to advising not from one field, but from many…” -Gordon, Habley, & Grites (2008)

What is Student Development Theory? “The ways that a student grows, progresses or increases his or her developmental capabilities as a result of enrollment in an institution of higher education” (Rodgers 1990) Development: positive growth

Development Theory Should Answer 4 Questions What interpersonal/intrapersonal changes occur while the student is in college? What factors lead to this development? What aspects of the college environment encourage or retard growth? What developmental outcomes should we strive to achieve in college?

How Advisors Can Use Theory Theoretical base for knowledge, expertise and practice General knowledge of several theories can aid in understanding advising approaches Ex: Developmental Advising approach developed from Chickering’s Identity Development theory Identify students needs Design programs Develop policies Promote positive growth in students Description Explanation Predication Control Student Behavior

First Year Students Time for a poll! What students fall in to this category? What are some common challenges these students face?

POLL https://www.polleverywhere.com/free_text_polls/F3xOpzVR7QySJLS https://www.polleverywhere.com/free_text_polls/aDNdLZ69JjVdKfi

How students feel…

Advising First Year Students Challenging but Rewarding MORE Understanding MORE Support for students

Chickering’s Vectors of Identity Psychosocial Development Theory Building on works of Erik Erikson More spiral or fluid theory Students move through different vectors at different times and paces Developing Competence Managing Emotions Moving through Autonomy through Interdependence Managing Mature Interpersonal Relationships Establishing Identity Developing Purpose Developing Integrity

Chickering and Advising As academic advisors we can utilize our understanding of Chickering’s 7 vectors to…… Help our students develop their own self identity Feel independent on their new found college journey Begin to develop competence

Astin’s Theory of Involvement Involvement : “Amount of physical and psychological energy that the student devotes to the academic experience” (Astin 1984). How students change and develop due to being involved co-curricularly Three elements: Inputs – previous experience Environment – experiences students will have in college Outcomes – knowledge, attitude, beliefs, after graduating college

Astin and Advising Knowing and Understanding all the resources available to students Helping students stay engaged with the campus culture regardless on the size of the institution Assist students with being present when it comes to their education, so they don’t settle. understanding Astin’s Student involvement theory Can help us when Advising A student By…

Schlossberg’s Transition Theory Move in – move through – move out Focuses on a student’s transition experience and how transition is coped with Types of transitions Anticipated event: a for-seen event Unanticipated: did not see coming Non-events: anticipates an event but it doesn’t happen Context – Setting – impact

Schlossberg and advising Situation: trigger, timing, role change, duration, Self: background, stage of life, commitment or values Support: family, friends, communities Strategies: what can I do to help? As students transition into college it is important for them to view and utilize their academic advisor as a support resource.

Theory is fun! Build a connection between advising and student development theory how to personalize advising strategies with first year students Student development theory applies to all students

Questions?

references Hagen, P. L., & Jordan, P. (2008). Theoretical foundations of academic advising. In V. N. Gordon, W. R. Habley, & T. J. Grites (Eds.), Academic advising: A comprehensive handbook (2nd ed.), (pp. 17–35). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Evans, Nancy J. Student Development in College: Theory, Research, and Practice. Jossey-Bass, 2010. Astin, A. W. (1984). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of Schlossberg, N. K. (2011). The challenge of change: The transition model and its applications. Journal of Employment Counseling, 48(4), 159–162.

Contact us! Maggie Bishop Imani Cabell Maggie.bishop@ung.edu Imani.cabell@ung.edu