Yolanda Williams, MPA and Shunverie Barrientez, M.S. The University of Texas at San Antonio Las Vegas 2015 Code 1051

Presenters Shunverie Barrientez, M.S. Honors College –Academic Advisor II Caseload: Years Advising Adjunct Faculty Diversity & Minority Retention Consultant Yolanda Davis, MPA Student Placement –Academic Advisor IV Caseload: Years Advising Adjunct Faculty Higher Education Consultant

About UTSA The 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 in ,000 Undergraduates Majority minority student body Hispanic Serving Institution Ranks #5 in the nation in number of degrees awarded to Hispanics 50% first-generation > 40% Pell eligible Evolving admission standards 35% 6 –year Graduation Rate

Presentation Objectives Identify 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.

Who is Responsible for Student Success and Retention? Key Players in Student Success Admissions Academic advising Student Affairs Faculty Academic Departments Academic support services Financial Aid Career Services Family support

EVERYONE Key Players

Thomas & Minton (2004) –Takes individuality & diversity into account –Advisor & 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 ”?

Proactive Advising

Increase retention Improve graduation rates Enhance student satisfaction Why Implement Proactive Advising?

What is Proactive Advising is Not! Hand holding More work for advisors “Micro Advising”

Characteristics of Proactive Advising Personable –Relationship building –Student specific –Customizable Positive –Engaging –Valuable –Strategic Productive –Resourceful –Retention focused –Accountability

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

Proactive Advising Tool Kit Institutional Data Monthly Calendars Registration Deadlines Academic Calendars Catalogs Degree plans Training Technology

Outreach Resources Utilized by Advisors

Obstacles We Faced Training new advisors Advisor Buy-In Technology Communication and coordination between advising centers Constant changes

New Proactive Initiatives EAB (Education Advisory Board) Orientation ENGAGE

Academic Advising Calendar SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember Advise new freshman (first appt) **outreach in Aug Midterm grades due Registration Calendar available Advise new freshman (second appt) Advise Continuing students **outreach in Sept Spring Registration begins Walk-ins Advise all students Walk-ins Finals

Assessment Coming…

Conclusion

“Having 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. Keneson Academic Advisor I The University of Texas at San Antonio Advisor Feedback “Having 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 Antonio

Student Feedback I love the fact that I am treated like family I 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 advice

References 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 Cruise, C. A. (2002). Advising students on academic probation. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal, 4(4). Retrieved August 20, 2008, from

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