Academic Advising in a Collaborative, Cohort-Based Scholarship Program Theresa Anderson Academic Advisor, Multicultural Students College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University Outside the Box:

The Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development Fellowship Program Engages and supports historically underrepresented, high-achieving first-generation college students who have demonstrated leadership ability and a commitment to intercultural awareness.

Overview: In the Beginning… Attract, recruit, engage and support students for whom CSB/SJU were not obvious options for college. Created from whole cloth by committee. A student experience that goes beyond scholarship dollars.

Overview: Steering Committee Academic Affairs Academic Advisor Faculty Liaison First-Year Seminar Faculty Admission Admission Representative Intercultural and International Student Services Director Student Development Deans of Students (for CSB and SJU)

Overview: Scholar Selection First-generation college student Demonstrated intercultural leadership Financial eligibility Geographic focus Admission application + Intercultural LEAD essay Campus visit with small-group interview

Overview: Program Structure Retreat for first-year cohort each year. Enrollment in First-Year Seminar with key faculty Cohort seminars, one per month All-Scholars seminars, one per month Additional funding opportunities Leadership positions within the program Access to a network of administrators, faculty, community members

Overview: Lessons Learned Structure, routine and tradition help everyone and foster affinity Short, frequent seminars are difficult for seniors to prioritize Students are more engaged if empowered to contribute/make a difference Engagement of institutional leadership validates students’ membership

Advisor: Responsibilities Direct Work with Students Individual academic advising meetings Monitor progress toward graduation Follow up with “all but graduated” students Advise the LEADership Council

Advisor: Responsibilities Behind the scenes Recruit FYS faculty who wish to support the program, enroll students accordingly Review scholarship applications Academically-related seminar topics Maintain presence in Provost’s Academic Affairs Team

Advisor: Academic Topics Throughout – Guest speakers at all-scholars events First Year – At retreat Discussion about academic excellence Small-groups meetings with faculty – Academic self-assessment opportunities – Faculty advisors

Advisor: Academic Topics Sophomore Year – Planning for study abroad – Goal setting Junior Year – Halfway there conversation – After-graduation options Senior Year – More about graduate school

Advisor: Outside the Box Meeting students where and when they are Rapport Known connections Anticipate concerns Affection and accountability

Advisor: Outside the Box Implications for Rest of advising team Professional network Personal life

Strengths and Challenges StrengthsChallenges Collaboration Strong rapport with scholarsGreater focus on a particular group of students, less focus on others Strong institutional support…exhibited differently in each division and between campuses Clear emphasis on academic development in the program May limit opportunities to take on new projects in advising Holistic approach to the student experience Difficult to duplicate for additional cohorts with same personnel. Consistent steering committee meetings Organizing between three divisions and across two campuses

Questions Answers Speculations Ideas