Student Success Center University of Southern Maine Thinking Outside the Box: Student Success Center  Charlie Nutt, Executive Director, NACADA  Rodney Mondor, Coordinator, Student Success Center University of Southern Maine NACADA International Conference 2013

Student Success Center University of Southern Maine 9,600 undergraduate/graduate students 115 areas major options 3 campus locations Average age undergraduate: 27.5 years Residential Housing: 1,400 students PortlandLewiston Gorham

Student Success Center The Way We Were Prior to 2009 Advising Services (Academic Affairs) 3 Locations Early Student Success (Student and University Life) 2 Locations Career Services (Student and University Life) 2 Locations Student Services (Lewiston-Auburn College) This “silo-ing” led to lack of coordination and duplication of services to students.

Student Success Center Why Students Leave Involuntary Leaving – Academic Difficulty Voluntary Leaving – Adjustment Difficulties – Goals & Uncertainty – Commitments – Finances – Integration & Community Membership Fit, Involvement, Learning Tinto, Vincent, “Rethinking the First Year of College”

Student Success Center Institutional Conditions for Student Success Expectations - clear and high Support - academic, social, financial Feedback - ongoing and immediate Involvement - time on task, contact with faculty/staff, active learning Tinto, Vincent, “Taking Student Retention Seriously”

Student Success Center What Matters Most… What matters most is what students do, not who they are! – The more students engage in ‘educationally purposeful activities’ the more they learn and the more likely they are to persist and graduate from college. Dr. George Kuh, Indiana University, Center for Postsecondary Research

Student Success Center Student Engagement Trinity  What students do -- time and energy devoted to educationally purposeful activities  What institutions do -- using effective educational practices to induce students to do the right things  Educationally effective institutions channel student energy toward the right activities The “Student Engagement Trinity” as described by Dr. George Kuh

Student Success Center Benchmark: Supportive Campus Environments “Students perform better and are more satisfied at colleges that are committed to their success, and cultivate positive working and social relations among different groups on campus.” nsse.iub.edu/

Student Success Center Supportive Campus Environments Those campuses: – Help students succeed academically – Help students cope with non-academic responsibilities – Help students thrive socially – Promote supportive relations between students and their peers, faculty members, and administrative personnel & offices

Student Success Center NACADA Consultant Visit Two Consultants on Campus NACADA - Consultant and Speaker Service Three Day Process Reviewed Missions and Operations Interviews Students – Staff – Faculty – Community Members Produced Final Report

Student Success Center NACADA Consultant Visit Summary Students were bounced around 3 campuses 3 offices on 3 campuses Incomplete referrals Inability to track student progress “Students succeed despite us rather than because of us” -USM Community Member

Student Success Center NACADA Consultant Visit “The recommendations of the external review team included integrating the offices of Academic Advising, Career Services and Professional Life Development, and Early Student Success and reframing the processes through which students are engaged in academic and career planning and supported throughout their educational experience at USM. “ -NACADA Consultant Report

Student Success Center

What We Do …focus on the development of an intentional pathway from the point of acceptance through graduation that engages students in conversations and learning experiences that will assist them and maximize their persistence and success.

Student Success Center MISSION To guide and support students in the discovery process, and the achievement of their academic, career and related life goals.

Student Success Center STUDENT SUCCESS Student Success Advisors: Academic Advising Academic Support Career and Personal Exploration Financial Literacy

Student Success Center Academic Advising New Student Orientation Undeclared Primary Advisor Caseload – Registration Course selection Transfer course review Walk-In Services: All Students Classroom Presentations

Student Success Center College of Arts, Humanities & Social Science Started 2011 Student Success Advisor (SSA) Primary Advisor Students under 54 credits Strong connection with departments Major Advisor Coordinator (MACs) Point person for Department Contract and compensation Transitions all students Junior Check – Degree Audit Review Art Classical Languages Communication and Media Studies Creative Writing Criminology Economics English Foreign Languages General Science Hispanic Studies History Liberal Studies, Humanities Music Philosophy Political Science Social Science Sociology Theatre

Student Success Center Career Exploration Resume / Cover Letter Writing Interviewing Skills E-Recruiting CHOICES Formal/Informal Assessments MBTI Strong Interest Inventory Skills Card Sort Online Resources O-Net Occupational Outlook Handbook Job Fair

Student Success Center Basic Academic Support Time management Reading college textbooks Note taking Academic Alert A student intervention initiative intended to identify students who may be having difficulty in their course work (i.e. low grades, performance or attendance problems, financial concerns, or behavioral issues).

Student Success Center Financial Literacy

Student Success Center Assessment

Student Success Center 1 st Appointment Why in school? Review Core and Major Requirements Graduation Planner Explanation of the Advising Relationship Review MaineStreet system and how to utilize features Assessment

Student Success Center

Priority Registration Review Requirements Understand Prerequisites Review Wish List and approve courses Provide options to meet career/academic goals. Assessment

Student Success Center Career Exploration What are their interests? Utilize Assessment tools. Review major/minor options to meet interests Assessment

Student Success Center Transition Declaration of major/minor Help connect student with major advisor Have updated graduation planner Assessment

Student Success Center Initial Data

Student Success Center Initial Data 1 st to 2 nd Semester Retention: Fall to Spring 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 UND -77% / 79% / 80% / 86% CAHS - >60% / >60% / 97% / 95% 1 st to 2 nd Year Retention: 65-68% Informal Survey Results Feel Valued as a student– Satisfied/Extremely Satisfied (95%) Issued resolved - Satisfied/Extremely Satisfied (94%) Overall satisfaction - Satisfied/Extremely Satisfied (95%) Increased Walk In and Evening Hours Points of Contact Numbers

Student Success Center RELATIONSHIPS Academics CAHS Program Point of contact for faculty for questions/referrals Expanding advising model to other majors Residence Life Expanding advising into residence hall Utilizing Res Hall staff for outreach Increased programming in residence halls Student Life Expanding outreach efforts to commuters Co-sponsored programming efforts Admissions Provide a stronger presence Referring agent for transfer students exploring options

Student Success Center Professional Development Bi-weekly sessions Academic and Student Support Departments Common Readings Develop new resources Staff presentations Career Development Facilitator class and certification (GCDF) Surveying of faculty regarding dual advising relationships

Student Success Center Wrap Up Staff report out Better connections/conversations with students Relationship with students is more purposeful Students Career exploration appointments have increase Exposure to Student Success through entry level course and senior seminars Faculty Referrals for a variety of support services have increased