Student Advising A Communication Perspective Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Student Advising A Communication Perspective from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Dr. Godfrey Steele, UWI

Introduction S.T.A.R. Students Teaching Access Resources Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Introduction S.T.A.R. Students Teaching Access Resources How UWI & tertiary-level institutions could apply STAR to developing the student advising programme Preliminary data obtained from a survey Comparison of the local data with findings from another university About me

Student Advising What is student advising? Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Student Advising What is student advising? Student advising is a formal programme for providing student support in the context of tertiary education. “Academic advising is a planning process that helps students to approach their education in an organized and meaningful way.” “Academic advising is a process of giving students guidance, support and encouragement” (USA Group Noel-Levitz, 1997:3)

Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ UCSS Study A study conducted at the University of Colorado at Silver Springs in 1993 found that communication competencies were ranked in order of importance (Morreale et al 1993). Expression (items 1-5) Apprehension/anxiety (item 6) Oral/listening and interaction skills (items 7,8,9,10) Appropriate use of language and appropriate use of nonverbal/body language (items 11, 12)

Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ UWI Study The preliminary findings for Mt. Hope students indicate that in response to the question, “What would you change most of all about student life at UWI, if you could do so?”, the top three replies were: Recreation and leisure Facilities Mt. Hope-Main Campus communication

Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ UWI Study (cont’d) In response to the question, “What would make your experience at UWI a better one?”, he top three views were: Facilities Recreation and Leisure Co-curricular activities

Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ UWI Study (cont’d) In response to the question, “Please list any pleasant experiences you had at UWI”, the most popular replies were: Socialization Recreation and Leisure Teaching

Significance of Advising Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Significance of Advising Student Advising at UWI is desirable and relevant, but more research on its implementation and achievements is needed Using S.T.A.R. can help to develop an Academic Advising Programme Communication competencies are sees as useful in Academic Advising

Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Next Steps Consider how S.T.A.R. can help you to develop an Academic Advising Programme More data are needed from faculty to compare their views with students’ views.