1. Helping Fifth Year Students Learn the Path to Graduation Through Intrusive Advising
Christina Bluck
Academic & Career Counselor
California State University – East Bay

2. Outline of Presentation
What is intrusive advising?
A portrait of California State University – East Bay
Pre-Assessment
Advising Cohort
Interventions (advising meetings, , phone calls, etc.)
Workshops
Participant Feedback and Outcomes
Improvements for the Future

3. What is Intrusive Advising?
An "intensive advising intervention that is designed to (a) facilitate informed, responsible decision-making, (b) increase student motivation toward activities in his/her social/academic community, and (c) ensure the probability of the student's academic success." (Heisserer & Parette, 2002).
Initiates early contact and helps students develop plans for academic and social improvement (Smith, 2007).
Also known as “Proactive Advising” (Varney, 2012).
Proactive Advising involves:
deliberate intervention to enhance student motivation
using strategies to show interest and involvement with students
intensive advising designed to increase the probability of student success
working to educate students on all options
approaching students before difficult/negative situations develop

4. What Is intrusive Advising (CONT.)
In a practical sense “intrusive advising” includes:
Reaching out to students before they reach out to you.
Anticipating when students may have difficulties and reaching out to students to help them navigate these difficulties in a proactive manner, rather than a reactive manner.
Meeting with and contacting students frequently.

5. Characteristics of an Intrusive Advisor
A genuine desire to help students and see them grow and succeed in school.
An understanding of “institutional barriers” and other obstacles that college students face.
Persistence
Not being afraid of rejection/being ignored
An encouraging, non-judgmental attitude.
Strong administrative/record keeping skills
Strong interpersonal skills.

6. California State University – East Bay
Located in Hayward, CA in the San Francisco Bay Area
Enrollment of 15,528 (Fall 2015)
13,008 Undergraduate Students
Majority of students from San Francisco Bay Area – most commute to campus
Quarter System
4 year graduation rates
Fall 2008 = 10%
Fall 2009 = 12.3%
Fall 2010 = 10.9%
5 year graduation rates
Fall 2008 = 28.9%
Fall 2009 = 30.2%
6 year graduation rates
Fall 2008 = 36.8%

7. Demographics of the Fall 2011 freshman class
1,225 first time freshman
54% Pell grant eligible
74% Required remedial coursework in math and/or English
Majority are first generation college students
Ethnicity Breakdown
35% Hispanic
19% Asian
18% Black, non-Hispanic
12% White
7% Multiple Ethnicities
1% Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
<1% American Indian or Alaska Native

8. Assessment
Sent Survey to 504 Students Entering 5th Year (Fall 2011 Cohort)
90 Responses (18% Response Rate)
What Would Assist You in Graduating From CSU – East Bay in the Next Year #1 #2 #3

9. The Intrusive Advising Cohort
Students with 100 – 159 Units (not including remedial units)
Intrusive Advising
WST Workshops
Grade/Registration Monitoring
Time Management/Study Skills Workshops

10. Outreach to Students Initial E-mail in Summer Phone Call in Summer
Subject “My role is to help you graduate!”
#4, #5, #6
Phone Call in Summer
at Beginning of Fall Quarter
Phone Call in Fall Quarter
Beginning of Winter & Spring Quarters
Not Registered After Registration Date Each Quarter (if applicable)
D/F Grade at the end of each quarter (if applicable)

11. Individual Advising Meetings
GE Worksheet
Go over Fifth Year Cohort Academic Advising Agreement
Meet with Academic Advisor at least once a quarter.
Stay in Touch with Academic Advisor
Meet with Major Advisor at least once
Take the University Writing Skills Test (if needed)
Complete GE Requirements (if needed)
Apply for Graduation (if needed/applicable)
Utilize University Resources (tutoring, counseling, accessibility services, etc.)
Discuss Career/Graduate School Plans
#7, #8

12. E-mail/Phone Contact Reminder E-mails Follow up E-mails
1 day prior to appointment
Follow up s
1 week after appointment
No Show s
For all no shows. Offering to reschedule.
to set up beginning of each quarter
Follow up phone call for students who don’t respond to to set up appointment
Good luck on finals each quarter
#9, #10, #11

13. Grade & Course Registration Checks
Grade check at the end of each quarter
to all students receiving Ds/Fs
to 4.0 students
Course Registration Check the day after registration date
students who haven’t registered
Follow up phone call 1 week later for those still not registered
Graduation Application Reminders
about 4 weeks before deadline
Follow up phone call about 2 weeks before deadline

14. Writing Skills Test Workshops
Go over basics of test
Talk about a 5 step writing process
Practice a pre-write and thesis activity
Answer frequently asked questions
Show other preparation resources
#12, #13

15. Study Skills & Time Management Workshops
Very few students Participated
2 students attended each workshop
Students who did attend gave positive feedback

16. Participation Numbers

17. Graduation Numbers
Participants
Non-Participants

18. Intrusive Advising Program Feedback: Survey
#14
Survey sent to all participants – 28 Responses
89.3% of respondents said yes to “Did the 5th Year Advising Program assist you in moving towards graduation at CSU - East Bay?”
100% of respondents either responded “strongly recommend” or “recommend” when asked if they would recommend the 5th Year Advising Program to a friend.
92.6% said the advisor was “very responsive” to their individual needs.
100% of respondents said the advisor was “very accessible or accessible”.
#15, #16, #17

19. Improvements for the Future
Increased Staff
Expanding program and starting it earlier (maybe in the fourth year to help increase 4 year grad rates as well) #18
Expanding the program to included 3rd year transfer students

20. References
Heisserer, D.L. & Parette, P. (2002, March). Advising at-risk students in college and university settings. College student journal,36(1),
Smith, J. S. (2007). Using data to inform decisions: intrusive faculty advising at a community college. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 31,
Varney, J. (2012, September). Proactive (Intrusive) Advising! Academic Advising Today, 35(3). Retrieved from

21. Questions