1. All Things Good come from Smaller Caseloads
How Drexel’s Split-Model Advising enhances the advising experience.

2. Introductions Mark Costello Debra Frank, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean/ Academic Advising
College of Arts and Sciences
Upper level undergraduates
Majors: Anthropology. Communication, and Sociology
Debra Frank, Ph.D.
Senior Assistant Dean/ Operations and Assessment
All undergraduate Advising Procedures and Best Practices

3. Drexel University Urban University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Large, Private, 26K UG, GR, full time, part time, campus & online students
Cooperative education
Quarter System calendar
Unique institution, but common Academic Advising Goals

4. Previous Advising Model
Centralized in College Dean’s office
Freshmen through seniors
Advised by major
Pros; strong student relationships and consistent advisor/student relationships
Cons; fast growth at Drexel, caseloads up to 800, retention issues, student satisfaction concerns, two-week wait time for an appointment, advisor burn-out

5. New Advising Model
Freshmen and Sophomores still advised in Dean’s office.
Upper level undergraduate advisor physically located in academic department.

6. Benefits & Advantages
Better Trust fostered between administrative and academic offices
Mutual Understanding of policies/procedures
Improved department communication
Stronger administrative relationships
Better Student/Faculty connections
Faster & Direct Problem solving
Advisor has better understanding of specific course goals and objectives.
Advisor better able to connect students’ special interests with faculty expertise.
Greater development of specialized programs within an academic department.
Able to focus on Appreciative and Developmental advising rather than “Triage” advising.

7. Benefits & Advantages, cont.
Higher Retention and Graduation rates
Reduced errors
Better sense of “team” as a College-wide Advising Program
No more Advising Silos
Reduced Advisor Stress
Higher Job Satisfaction
Advising Sharepoint site – with sample letters, s, procedures, best practices.
BbLearn site with latest policy updates, announcements, quick resource guide.

8. Buy-In?
Each student saved at Drexel = 25K in annual Net Tuition revenue.
Consider who is already doing some “front line” advising.
Given the tools, training, and information they need – can they become an official advisor?
Do they have the desire, temperament, ability, background to become a professional advisor?
Minimal investment for greater return!

9. Fully Centralized Model
Comparison
Advisor
Fully Centralized Model
Split-Model Phase I
Split-Model Phase II 1
798
365
213
Original position 2
784
542
303 3
721
234 4
339
142
104 5
288
227 6
391
478
Existing position 7
197
119
New hire 8 42 74 9
168
144 10 89 11
290 12
148 13
150 14 73
Total
2930
2646
Avg. caseload
(FT only)
586
378
235

10. Advising Efficacy

11. Student Satisfaction

12. Questions/Discussion
Can it be done at your Institution?
Questions/Discussion

13. Mark Costello
Debra Frank