A Holistic Advising Model: Fostering Student Success through Recruitment, Retention, and Release.
Download as PPTX, PDF0 likes175 views
Workshop presented to Academic Advisors at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference: Hyattsville, MD.
![UChicago [Presentation] - Wisr's Role in a Successful Engagement Strategy](https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/wisrsummit-dawpresentation-180227181213-thumbnail.jpg?width=560&fit=bounds)
More Related Content
Similar to A Holistic Advising Model: Fostering Student Success through Recruitment, Retention, and Release. (20)
More from Stevara Clark Johnson (7)
Recently uploaded (20)
A Holistic Advising Model: Fostering Student Success through Recruitment, Retention, and Release.
- 1. A HOLISTIC ADVISING MODEL FOSTERING STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND RELEASE PRESENTED BY: STEVARA CLARK JOHNSON, M.S.W. CHRISTINA PITTMAN, M.S.W. KELLY SEVERO, M.S. SARAH BURTON-EVERETTE, M.ED.
- 2. MEET OUR TEAM Undergraduate Advisers: Stevara Clark Johnson, M.S.W. Christina Pittman, M.S.W. Graduate Advisers: Kelly Severo, M.S. Sarah Burton-Everette, M.Ed.
- 3. WISH YOU WERE HERE! HAVE FUN IN HYATTSVILLE! HELLO FROM SARAH BURTON-EVERETTE
- 4. An excellent advisor does the same for the students entire curriculum that the excellent teacher does for one course Marc Lowenstein, 2005
- 5. WELCOME Introductions of the VCU School of Social Work Student Success Team History of the Office Creation Rationale behind the Holistic System R1 - R2 - R3: What does it all mean?
- 6. R1: RECRUIT Articulation Agreement Welcome Days Regional Information Sessions for Distance Education Peer Mentor Program
- 7. INFORMATION SESSIONS Articulation Agreements Discuss seamless transfer from Community College to VCU Meet and Greet with Program Director, Transfer Center and Advisor Personalized presentation with transfer student specific resources Open House Learn about academic programs and support services and meet faculty members and student services staff
- 8. INFORMATION SESSIONS (CONT.) Preview Day An all-day event especially for newly accepted students. The day will be filled with academic and cultural experiences, food and fun. Engage with current students, faculty and staff Presentation by a community provider Experiential learning/Service project Careers in Social END GOAL: accept offer of admissions
- 9. WELCOME DAYS Welcome Days provided each fall Social work focused campus tour MSW Class Visit Lunch - an opportunity to meet students & advisors MSW Information Session Social media: Live chats at varying times Purpose: Connect with future academic advisor Establish connection early Provide go-to support Many students report that their experience during the application process with their academic advisor is why they chose VCU
- 10. REGIONAL INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION M.S.W. Distance Education (DE) format established in 2011 Regional Information Sessions established in 2014 Opportunity to develop the advising relationship in person Identified regions with the largest number of prospective student inquiries Online students feel more connected to VCU & know they have an advocate on campus Invite current DE students to speak at events to share their experience and show that program completion is possible
- 11. REGIONAL INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION (CONT.) Building relationships with community partners Reaching out to agencies to serve as hosts can lead to more internship and job opportunities for students Creating a stronger partnership with the DE Program Coordinator Facilitating better communication regarding prospective and current
- 12. PEER MENTOR PROGRAM Mentors are upper-level B.S.W. students and concentration level M.S.W. students Established the Peer Mentor Program as way to offer an additional source of support in the form of a fellow student. Peer Mentor Interest Questionnaire Matched based on similar backgrounds, hobbies, and academic interests Mentor Job Expectations participation in a structured mentor/mentee email communications prompt response to communication from mentees participation in recruitment and/or student engagement events collaboration with other mentors to plan fall and spring social and/or activities for mentees
- 13. R2: RETAIN UNIV 101 Wellness Career Development Series Advising Syllabus
- 14. UNIV 101: INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIVERSITY Theoretical foundation for course creation: Stages of student development: separation, transition, and incorporation Students need to feel like they matter and are appreciated Student engagement: the greater the quantity and quality of involvement, the more likely the student is to succeed in college Taught by the advisor Engage with students in a thoughtful, structured way Challenges students to learn concepts identified as central to student success during transition Time management, study skills, academic policy, campus resources, financial literacy, health and wellness, drug and alcohol awareness, campus safety, and career development
- 15. WELLNESS What is wellness? Why is wellness important? Creation of Health & Wellness Initiative: Mandala Monday Weekly Zen Meditation Group Partner with University Counseling Services 3x/wk Facebook posts Email reminders mid-semester Pet-A-Pooch therapy dogs Instructors include wellness/self-care in class Providing wellness opportunities for PT and DE students
- 16. CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERIES The Social Work Career Development Series comprised of workshops, panel discussions, employer recruitment visits, and networking events Collaboration is key VCU Career Center Career liaison, presentations, and employer relations Alumni Relations Networking events, panelists Community Partners Social Media Career Tip Tuesdays Jobs posted on Linked In & Hire VCU Rams Student survey feedback Panel discussions and guest speakers from the professional community bring the largest crowds
- 17. ADVISING SYLLABUS What is an advising syllabus? Outlines what students can accomplish as a result of engaging in a collaborative relationship with their Advisor. Advising is a means to achieve our goal of supporting students throughout their educational journey to professional social work practice. Elements of Syllabus Mission, Vision and Core Values of Office Statement on mandatory participation in advising Responsibilities of the student and advisor Student Learning Outcomes Recommended calendar of activities
- 18. ACTIVITY Take a look at the advising template (picture of our syllabus on this slide) Ask yourself: What are my/my departments mission, vision, and/or values around advising? What can I reasonably expect of my advisees? What standards will I set/what can my advisees expect of me? What activities are useful for graduates of the program I advise? Fill out the advising template with your thoughts LETS SHARE!
- 19. R3: RELEASE Students need support even during times of joy Anxiety can often increase during last semester Student Success Awards Celebrations Providing graduation support Sample graduation application Graduation application screencast guide Cap/gown/diploma information Career guidance; VCU Career Center Support for alumni Social media Post-graduation advising support Senior Director of Development
- 20. QUESTIONS?
Editor's Notes
- #4: https://vcu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/NACADA+Intro/1_e12w027o
- #11: Our school established a Distance Education (DE) learning format for the MSW program in 2011 to make the MSW degree more accessible for students in Virginia. In an effort to help prospective DE students feel more connected to VCU, an advisor travels across the state to provide regional information sessions on the DE format. This advisor may also serve as their academic advisor once they are admitted to the program, and the relationship that has been established in person can continue into the online forum. This helps the student know they have an advocate on campus who knows their story and will support their success.
- #13: https://vcu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/NACADA+Peer+Mentor+Program/1_4o15jm59 The OSS established the Peer Mentor Program in 2012 as way to offer an additional source of support in the form of a fellow student. Prospective students may request a Peer Mentor through our online Peer Mentor Interest Questionnaire. Prospective students are matched with peer mentors who have similar backgrounds and interests as their own, which helps to create a more meaningful relationship. Peer mentors serve as a point of reference for the student experience in the program, help walk them through the admissions and application process to both the BSW and MSW programs, help prospective students prepare for the academic rigor of the program, and help prospective students see that completing a degree can actually be an attainable goal. - Currently employ 12 Mentors for 149 Mentees - Job Components attendance and participation in peer mentor supervision meetings prompt response to communication from mentees participation in recruitment and/or student engagement events participation in development and/or facilitation of student support programming collaboration with other mentors to plan fall and spring social and/or activities for mentees submission of feature (brief article, blog entry, social media post, etc.) to highlight student success stories for School of Social Work communications - Recently began tracking how many prospectives who have mentors apply to and join the program Great resource for current students struggling to adapt to the program who need extra support/resources
- #17: https://vcu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/NACADA+Social+Work+Career+Development+Series/1_2r5i1fdo As a school that offers professional degree programs, our reputation is dependent upon the quality of our graduates when they enter the professional world. With this in mind, the OSS collaborates with VCUs Career Center, local community partners, and alumni to offer various professional development opportunities through the Social Work Career Development Series. The Series is comprised of workshops throughout each semester that focus on topics such as personal branding, resume and cover letter writing, salary negotiation, networking, and the process for obtaining professional licenses. These workshops also serve as an opportunity to connect our students with the local community so they have a professional network already in place when they leave the university Using Social Media engaging with students on Facebook through Career Tip Tuesday LinkedIn & HireVCURams for job announcements Informal survey conducted last year students responded that they wanted more panel discussions and outside presenters. Offers a wide variety of information on career options As word has spread about the Series, more people are approaching us with workshop ideas that they would like to host.