Call for Programs
Building Bridges on A Sea of Change
SEPTEMBER 27, 2019
COASTAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE - FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA
Concurrent Session I
So Many Students So Little Time
Presenter: Ellie Meyer, Academic Advisor II, and Brooke Ciolino, Academic Advisor II, The University of West Florida
Abstract:
Advising is not simply registration, but, so often, registration time is the only period advising offices see large amounts of students. How is it possible to see all students prior to the start of registration so they are prepared? The University of West Florida’s College of Business introduced express advising in the fall of 2018. All students who needed an appointment were able to see an advisor prior to the start of registration. A restructure occurred in spring of 2019 which resulted in successfully serving more students in a timely fashion. Parallel appointments between express advising and traditional advising allowed students to schedule appointments that met their needs. More choices, more availability, happier students. Come learn more about how you can adapt this successful option to your campus.
Concurrent Session I
Intellectual Humility, Honors, and Appreciative Advising: Exploring with Students that Changing Your Mind Does Not End the World.
Presenter: Alan Sells, Honors Advisor, Honors College, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
Honors students experience high levels of stress. Academic advisors can see this quickly, as Honors students present concerns about their future, their potential careers, their transfer credits, and a myriad of other issues with a sense of urgency that can sometimes border on desperation. Some Honors students present themselves as much more in control, having done a lot of research before the appointment, already knowing the answers to questions the advisor hasn’t asked. Honors students are confident of their future goals. However, many of these students have never challenged that goal or belief, and are often unprepared when asked to do so. This presentation will relay the research on using the appreciative advising model with Honors students, and discuss methods and techniques of engaging Honors students in intellectual humility within the framework of appreciative advising.
Concurrent Session I
Building A Successful Advising Culture
Presenter: Catherine Preston, Director Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
Training and professional development of academic advisors is critical. Why? All students deserve to have access to advisors who are knowledgeable and current on University policies, procedures and available resources. Additionally, through effective training experiences and access to resources, advisors become empowered, resourceful and self-reliant professionals who will continue to seek opportunities for development and improvement. Finally, training advisors is at the center of building a successful advising campus culture. This presentation will focus on how the advising team at South trains and mentors new advisors and supports and develops continued professional development opportunities year round.
Concurrent Session II
Tides are Changing: Incorporating Flipped Advising to Better Serve Students
Presenters: Daisy Grant, Academic Advisor II, and Amanda Freyaldenhoven, Academic Advisor II, Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
Tides are changing within higher education, and it is important that our advising strategies change as well. Flipped advising, much like a flipped classroom, allows students to obtain instructional information before and after their advising appointment, leading to a more meaningful face-to-face interaction. Learn how Academic Advising & Transfer Services at the University of South Alabama designed and implemented flipped advising to improve advising for both students and advisors. We will share various examples and approaches to flipped advising and help you create your own flipped advising strategy.
Concurrent Session II
The Incoming Tide – Training the Next Wave of Advisors
Presenter: Shawn Minzes, Academic Advisor II, Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
This presentation will be a discussion of how a regional state university has created, sustained, and grown a graduate student academic advising experience program. The goal of the presentation is to share with other institutions how the program originated, how similar programs can be implemented at other institutions, and to take a look at the training program implemented to create effective advising interns. Attendees will learn methods of training and mentoring graduate students for an advising intern experience, how this model can be implemented at any institution, and how to grow a beginning advising internship program.
Concurrent Session II
Like It or Not, Outside Recruiters Are Here to Stay: Advantages and Pitfalls of Partnering with Online Program Managers
Presenter: Jenny Feysa, Academic Advisor II, Doctor of Education and Education Specialist Programs and Chasity Manning, Assistant director of the College of Education and Professional Studies Advising Center, The University of West Florida
Abstract:
Like it or not, outside recruiters are here to stay! Institutions are increasingly partnering with Online Program Managers (OPMs) with the goals of improving enrollment and retention in online programs. OPMs aim to bridge prospective and current students to online program enrollment and campus resources. It is important that advisors be included in discussions related to adopting OPMs so they may provide input related to the potential effects on students. Presenters will explain the role of OPMs and examine the advantages and pitfalls faced by academic advisors working with these programs. They will describe their experiences, provide insights, and utilize group discussion to integrate attendees’ various experiences. Both graduate and undergraduate student needs and expectations will be discussed. Tips for creating a positive experience for advisors and students will be provided.
Concurrent Session III
Strengthening Customer Service in an Advising Unit
Presenter: Patty David, Associate Director, Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
College students are consumer driven and have expectations of how they should be treated throughout the college experience. The importance of this should not be forgotten when looking at effective retention practices. Customer service has not always been at the front of the conversation in increasing student retention and enhancing the student experience. At the University of South Alabama, customer service has become a major focus. Using theories and practical applications in advising, this talk will focus on how to incorporate customer service into advising. Attendees should leave this talk with a clear sense of the importance of advising theory and best practices to ensure good customer service and how enhancing customer service practices not only help with student retention and satisfaction, but also positively impact collegiate interactions.
Concurrent Session III
It Takes Two: Collaborative Advising in the Pathway USA Program
Presenters: Bob Charlebois, Transfer Coordinator, Pathway USA, The University of South Alabama and James-David Williams, Counselor, Coastal Alabama Community College
Abstract:
The University of South Alabama’s Pathway USA program works with students at several regional community colleges. Pathway advisors help students be certain that they are taking the correct classes based on their future university major, avoiding costly and unnecessary excess credits. In addition to working closely with students, we collaborate with community college advisors. Pathway is not a replacement for community college advising but a supplement to it. In this session, we will explain a student’s journey through the advising process with the community college advisor and Pathway transfer advisor. We will discuss how we work together to support student academic success at the community college and throughout the transfer process to the university. We will also look at ways we support one another as advisors.
RoundTable Discussion Session III
Building Bridges Between Departmental Advisors and Honors Advisors: Uniting the Divergence Between High Achieving Millennials and Generation Z Students
Presenter: Afiya Brandon, Biology Academic Advisor, and Robin Jones, Assistant Director Honors Program, The University of West Florida
Abstract:
Does knowing the difference between Generation Z and Millennials assist advisors in addressing the key needs of both while retaining them? Incorporating the lens of two contrasting generations within different advising theories for students enrolling within higher education institutions is key to assisting them with their academic success. In this presentation, we will share best practices of a biomedical major advisor and an Honors Advisor advising both millennial and generation z students using the appreciative advising model and holistic advising. This process includes developing a comprehensive advising plan to create an enhanced student experience. As advisors, we understand students will not always achieve their initial goals; however, the role of an academic advisor is to guide and assist them through a continuous process of evaluating and reflecting on their personal, educational, social, and career plans.
So Many Students So Little Time
Presenter: Ellie Meyer, Academic Advisor II, and Brooke Ciolino, Academic Advisor II, The University of West Florida
Abstract:
Advising is not simply registration, but, so often, registration time is the only period advising offices see large amounts of students. How is it possible to see all students prior to the start of registration so they are prepared? The University of West Florida’s College of Business introduced express advising in the fall of 2018. All students who needed an appointment were able to see an advisor prior to the start of registration. A restructure occurred in spring of 2019 which resulted in successfully serving more students in a timely fashion. Parallel appointments between express advising and traditional advising allowed students to schedule appointments that met their needs. More choices, more availability, happier students. Come learn more about how you can adapt this successful option to your campus.
Concurrent Session I
Intellectual Humility, Honors, and Appreciative Advising: Exploring with Students that Changing Your Mind Does Not End the World.
Presenter: Alan Sells, Honors Advisor, Honors College, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
Honors students experience high levels of stress. Academic advisors can see this quickly, as Honors students present concerns about their future, their potential careers, their transfer credits, and a myriad of other issues with a sense of urgency that can sometimes border on desperation. Some Honors students present themselves as much more in control, having done a lot of research before the appointment, already knowing the answers to questions the advisor hasn’t asked. Honors students are confident of their future goals. However, many of these students have never challenged that goal or belief, and are often unprepared when asked to do so. This presentation will relay the research on using the appreciative advising model with Honors students, and discuss methods and techniques of engaging Honors students in intellectual humility within the framework of appreciative advising.
Concurrent Session I
Building A Successful Advising Culture
Presenter: Catherine Preston, Director Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
Training and professional development of academic advisors is critical. Why? All students deserve to have access to advisors who are knowledgeable and current on University policies, procedures and available resources. Additionally, through effective training experiences and access to resources, advisors become empowered, resourceful and self-reliant professionals who will continue to seek opportunities for development and improvement. Finally, training advisors is at the center of building a successful advising campus culture. This presentation will focus on how the advising team at South trains and mentors new advisors and supports and develops continued professional development opportunities year round.
Concurrent Session II
Tides are Changing: Incorporating Flipped Advising to Better Serve Students
Presenters: Daisy Grant, Academic Advisor II, and Amanda Freyaldenhoven, Academic Advisor II, Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
Tides are changing within higher education, and it is important that our advising strategies change as well. Flipped advising, much like a flipped classroom, allows students to obtain instructional information before and after their advising appointment, leading to a more meaningful face-to-face interaction. Learn how Academic Advising & Transfer Services at the University of South Alabama designed and implemented flipped advising to improve advising for both students and advisors. We will share various examples and approaches to flipped advising and help you create your own flipped advising strategy.
Concurrent Session II
The Incoming Tide – Training the Next Wave of Advisors
Presenter: Shawn Minzes, Academic Advisor II, Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
This presentation will be a discussion of how a regional state university has created, sustained, and grown a graduate student academic advising experience program. The goal of the presentation is to share with other institutions how the program originated, how similar programs can be implemented at other institutions, and to take a look at the training program implemented to create effective advising interns. Attendees will learn methods of training and mentoring graduate students for an advising intern experience, how this model can be implemented at any institution, and how to grow a beginning advising internship program.
Concurrent Session II
Like It or Not, Outside Recruiters Are Here to Stay: Advantages and Pitfalls of Partnering with Online Program Managers
Presenter: Jenny Feysa, Academic Advisor II, Doctor of Education and Education Specialist Programs and Chasity Manning, Assistant director of the College of Education and Professional Studies Advising Center, The University of West Florida
Abstract:
Like it or not, outside recruiters are here to stay! Institutions are increasingly partnering with Online Program Managers (OPMs) with the goals of improving enrollment and retention in online programs. OPMs aim to bridge prospective and current students to online program enrollment and campus resources. It is important that advisors be included in discussions related to adopting OPMs so they may provide input related to the potential effects on students. Presenters will explain the role of OPMs and examine the advantages and pitfalls faced by academic advisors working with these programs. They will describe their experiences, provide insights, and utilize group discussion to integrate attendees’ various experiences. Both graduate and undergraduate student needs and expectations will be discussed. Tips for creating a positive experience for advisors and students will be provided.
Concurrent Session III
Strengthening Customer Service in an Advising Unit
Presenter: Patty David, Associate Director, Academic Advising & Transfer Services, The University of South Alabama
Abstract:
College students are consumer driven and have expectations of how they should be treated throughout the college experience. The importance of this should not be forgotten when looking at effective retention practices. Customer service has not always been at the front of the conversation in increasing student retention and enhancing the student experience. At the University of South Alabama, customer service has become a major focus. Using theories and practical applications in advising, this talk will focus on how to incorporate customer service into advising. Attendees should leave this talk with a clear sense of the importance of advising theory and best practices to ensure good customer service and how enhancing customer service practices not only help with student retention and satisfaction, but also positively impact collegiate interactions.
Concurrent Session III
It Takes Two: Collaborative Advising in the Pathway USA Program
Presenters: Bob Charlebois, Transfer Coordinator, Pathway USA, The University of South Alabama and James-David Williams, Counselor, Coastal Alabama Community College
Abstract:
The University of South Alabama’s Pathway USA program works with students at several regional community colleges. Pathway advisors help students be certain that they are taking the correct classes based on their future university major, avoiding costly and unnecessary excess credits. In addition to working closely with students, we collaborate with community college advisors. Pathway is not a replacement for community college advising but a supplement to it. In this session, we will explain a student’s journey through the advising process with the community college advisor and Pathway transfer advisor. We will discuss how we work together to support student academic success at the community college and throughout the transfer process to the university. We will also look at ways we support one another as advisors.
RoundTable Discussion Session III
Building Bridges Between Departmental Advisors and Honors Advisors: Uniting the Divergence Between High Achieving Millennials and Generation Z Students
Presenter: Afiya Brandon, Biology Academic Advisor, and Robin Jones, Assistant Director Honors Program, The University of West Florida
Abstract:
Does knowing the difference between Generation Z and Millennials assist advisors in addressing the key needs of both while retaining them? Incorporating the lens of two contrasting generations within different advising theories for students enrolling within higher education institutions is key to assisting them with their academic success. In this presentation, we will share best practices of a biomedical major advisor and an Honors Advisor advising both millennial and generation z students using the appreciative advising model and holistic advising. This process includes developing a comprehensive advising plan to create an enhanced student experience. As advisors, we understand students will not always achieve their initial goals; however, the role of an academic advisor is to guide and assist them through a continuous process of evaluating and reflecting on their personal, educational, social, and career plans.
