1. Student Advising A Communication Perspective
Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
Student Advising
A Communication Perspective
from The University of the
West Indies, St. Augustine
Dr. Godfrey Steele, UWI

2. Introduction S.T.A.R. Students Teaching Access Resources
Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
Introduction
S.T.A.R.
Students
Teaching
Access
Resources
How UWI & tertiary-level institutions could apply STAR to developing the student advising programme
Preliminary data obtained from a survey
Comparison of the local data with findings from another university
About me

3. Student Advising What is student advising?
Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
Student Advising
What is student advising?
Student advising is a formal programme for providing student support in the context of tertiary education. “Academic advising is a planning process that helps students to approach their education in an organized and meaningful way.”
“Academic advising is a process of giving students guidance, support and encouragement” (USA Group Noel-Levitz, 1997:3)

4. Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
UCSS Study
A study conducted at the University of Colorado at Silver Springs in 1993 found that communication competencies were ranked in order of importance (Morreale et al 1993).
Expression (items 1-5)
Apprehension/anxiety (item 6)
Oral/listening and interaction skills (items 7,8,9,10)
Appropriate use of language and appropriate use of nonverbal/body language (items 11, 12)

5. Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
UWI Study
The preliminary findings for Mt. Hope students indicate that in response to the question, “What would you change most of all about student life at UWI, if you could do so?”, the top three replies were:
Recreation and leisure
Facilities
Mt. Hope-Main Campus communication

6. Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
UWI Study (cont’d)
In response to the question, “What would make your experience at UWI a better one?”, he top three views were:
Facilities
Recreation and Leisure
Co-curricular activities

7. Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
UWI Study (cont’d)
In response to the question, “Please list any pleasant experiences you had at UWI”, the most popular replies were:
Socialization
Recreation and Leisure
Teaching

8. Significance of Advising
Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
Significance of Advising
Student Advising at UWI is desirable and relevant, but more research on its implementation and achievements is needed
Using S.T.A.R. can help to develop an Academic Advising Programme
Communication competencies are sees as useful in Academic Advising

9. Dr. Godfrey Steel, UWIACHEA Conference July 2002
‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’
Next Steps
Consider how S.T.A.R. can help you to develop an Academic Advising Programme
More data are needed from faculty to compare their views with students’ views.