1. Bridges To Success “Effective Advising in Guided Pathways: Executing advising plans that transform departments and institutions to help students achieve their full potential. (Helping students choose courses before and after they have chosen majors)."
December 2, 2016
Terry Bubb
Director, Advising and Testing
Volunteer State Community College
Gallatin, Tennessee

2. Best Practices Research
55% of colleges and universities utilize a shared model (ACT National Survey on Academic Advising)
Greater student success rates for those who “feel connected” to the advisor or someone at the college
Students typically do not do “optional,” even if it is presented as helpful to them
“High Risk” students need mandatory advising
Successful advising programs have mandatory advising training programs and some type of assessment/accountability
Number one request of faculty in advising surveys: more advisor training
Ideal Advisor/Advisee Ratios For VSCC: 40/1= Full-time faculty; 400/1= Full-Time Staff Advisors

3. ACT Advising Survey
Lowest Scores (Largest Gap Between VSCC and National Norms)
Advisor knows who I am
Advisor keeps me up to date on changes in academic requirements
Advisor expresses interest in me as a unique individual
Advisor takes the initiative in arranging meetings with me
Recommendations
Establishing and maintaining a relationship with advisees should be prioritized. (Less emphasis on the mechanics of selecting a schedule)
Advisors ideally should meet with advisees a minimum of two times per year for approximately 30 minutes each time.
Key elements to include in the meetings: academic progress, graduation requirements, job placement/educational opportunities following graduation.

4. Previous Vol State Advising Problems
Wait times due to lack of staffing in the Advising Center
Walk-in system = No relationship established
Walk-in system led to Advising = Scheduling
No formal required training and development program for faculty or staff advisors
Flawed advisor assignment process

5. Steps Leading to Campus-Wide Change
Considered all options
Best Practices Research
Advising Task Force had broad campus representation but not too large of a group
Established accountability for all parties
Recommendations based on best practices and VSCC culture
Transparent process

6. Summary of Changes Advising Program Overall Advising Model Adopted
Advising focus is on “relationship building” and not just scheduling
Appointment-based system adopted
Comprehensive advisor training developed
Advising Model Adopted
Shared engagement model utilizing full-time and faculty advisors
Mandatory advising for a defined group of students
Undecided (“Academic Area of Focus” Majors) required to see an advisor during their second semester
Academic probation/suspension advised by professional advisors
Quick Question Advisor available to assist students and faculty via “Advising Hotline”
Utilize GAP advisors during peak registration times
All Advisor assignments performed by Advising Center
Academic Interventions for Underperforming Students
Early Alert Program
“Murky Middle” Assigned to Full-Time Advisors
VSCC 1000 (“College Success) for academic probation/suspension students and strongly encouraged for undecided students
Intrusive (Proactive) Advising

7. Summary Of Changes Continued
Working with Undecided Students
During the first term of enrollment undecided students will be required to participate in a series of activities which will assist in declaring a major
Students entering the College as undecided (“Academic Area of Focus”) will be required to declare a major during their second semester
Assessing Effectiveness & Accountability
ACT Advising Survey
Learning outcomes for students and advisors correlated with CCSSE, ACT Advising Survey, and required training
Faculty Evaluations will have a component that considers academic advising
Student Focus Groups
Training
Required for all new faculty and full-time advisors
Training needs determined and developed each semester; can be general or division-specific in nature; may be individualized according to advisor’s experience and personal assessment
Deans may require training for additional faculty as warranted

8. Executive Summary Advising Tools Orientation
DegreeWorks will provide students and advisors with the ability to forecast course scheduling and will assist in division-specific course scheduling.
Degree Program Templates will be pre-built in DegreeWorks to streamline advising sessions.
Individual Plans will be built within DegreeWorks for all students.
Guided Pathways will be built for all degree programs and consistently updated in DegreeWorks and the catalog.
An Early Alert system will be used as part of the Banner system. Assigned advisors will be alerted to make contact as necessary.
Multiple advising documents are regularly created and distributed electronically and in paper form.
The Advising Resource Manual (ARM) will be available both in printed and electronic searchable form. This will enable advisors to find answers to general advising-related questions and to obtain information on advising procedures.
Orientation
Mandatory for all new students face-to-face
Division-specific aspect to include information sessions for each academic division
Mandatory advising for new students
Curriculum to include academic and student support services, registration procedures, advising, financial aid information, etc.
Effectiveness assessed through satisfaction survey, CCSSE, the ACT Advising Survey, and retention rates

9. Concerns & Possible Solutions
Training & Development
Develop a comprehensive training program for all advisors (General & Division Specific). Faculty to have control over a portion of the training and devote Professional Development Day to advising
Increased communication between faculty and staff concerning academic programs

10. Concerns & Possible Solutions
Faculty Time Devoted to Advising
Goal: Continue to lower ratios
Virtual Bursting (Student Communication)
Enhanced training reduces time of individual advising sessions
Quick Question Advisor/Advising Hotline
New students advised in Advising Center with increased staffing
Appointment-based system allows for scheduling flexibility, better time management, and gives message to students that advising is important
Format of advising appointments: Group, Online, Phone,

15. Any questions?