Ozarks Technical Community College’s Academic Advising

Michelle Ciesielski, Chelsea Clark, Whitley Denson, Zachery Holder,

David Lind, Riley O’Dell, & Johna Walsh

 

Functional Area Report

Academic advising at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) Guiding students through their college careers as they

prepare to enter the job market, advisors take on an important role on the campus

Why we chose advising? Report Developed through

Relying on interviews with the Director of Advising, Ginger Luke

Documents and materials produced by OTC Literature

Functional Area

Student affairs takes on a strong service component aimed at assisting students navigate and interpret their college experience

Advisors Assist students with :

Education plans Academic Probation Registration Referrals to Campus wide resources

Collaborate with faculty and staff

Relationship to Student Affairs Profession

Local residents of Springfield, MO Age Range: 18-60 years old

Many students have other obligations Degrees:

Associate of Arts Transfer Degrees Technical Degrees Allied Health Degrees

A+ Bridge to Success

OTC

Student advising is largely an American Phenomenon Dating back to Colonial America college presidents

acted in loco parentis (on behalf of absentee parents) 1820’s, Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio developed

a formal system of advising that assigned students to specific faculty who served as student advisors

Morrill Act of 1862 allowed greater numbers of students and a more diverse student population to attend college prompting a greater need for student advising. By 1882 more women and lady assistants were hired

to oversee female students at co-educational colleges

History of Advising

1890’s colleges began hiring Deans of Men and Women

1919 the function known as student affairs became a mainstay on American campuses

That same year NASPA was formed ACE followed in 1937 ACPA in 1949 National Association of Academic Advising

Association (NACADA) evolved during a 1977 conference and was chartered in 1979

History of Advising

Founded in April 1990, OTC has provided a comprehensive community college education for the residents of Springfield and 13 surrounding school districts Initial enrollment 1,198 (1991) Recent enrollment 15,000 (2011) Beginning in 2007, established education centers in

Lebanon, Richwood Valley , Waynesville, and Branson In 1991, the Higher Learning Commission granted

OTC a five-year initial accreditation following a self-study and comprehensive visit in 2001,

OTC was granted a ten-year accreditation

History of OTC

The first challenge to OTC by the HLC was to have a better understanding and implementation of the Student Academic Achievement Assessment Plan by faculty and staff

The second was to examine the college’s retention rates of its technical programs to determine their viability (Hidgen, 2011)

To meet the challenges OTC implemented a four-part student assessment to assist student placement, academic achievement, degree completion, and workplace success after graduation

HLC Challenges of OTC

OTC established four advising objectives understanding of required courses and

sequencing, an understanding of placement test scores, an ability to create education plan using E-

Advisor, and an ability to schedule classes online using

MyOTC

History of OTC Advising

Advisors expec6a6 (a) clarify personal values and goals (b) participate proactively in the decision-making process (c) communicate with assigned advisor on a regular basis (d) prepare a list of questions and concerns before each

advising meeting (e) follow through on suggested actions, resources, and

referrals (f) they should maintain a personal record of academic

progress (g) understand college programs, policies, procedures,

and deadlines

History of OTC AdvisingStudent Responsibility

(a) provide guidance (b) encourage and make referrals to

resources to empower students to meet their own goals

(c) listen carefully (d) maintain confidentiality (e) provide students’ strategies and options (f) monitor students’ progress (g) be accessible by appointment as needed

History of OTC AdvisingAdvisor Responsibility

Terms and Procedures of OTC Advising

Welcomes new and transfer students to the college. Our professional advisors will assist you in making informed course decisions as you begin or continue your college career at OTC. In collaboration with faculty and staff, we will help you develop an educational plan that meets your personal goals. So, whether you are a new student or a transfer student, the Academic Advising staff is here to help you get started at Ozarks Technical Community College. (OTC Academic Advising, 2012)

Role and Purpose of Academic Advising on Campus

Mission Statement of OTC “Promote student learning through accessible,

high quality, affordable workforce training, and technical and general education that is responsive to the educational needs of the community and its diverse constituencies.” Be the community’s college by providing quality

learning experiences that support community, workforce and personal development.

Academic Advising “Assists students to define, plan and achieve

their educational and career goals.”

Mission Statements

1. Provide exceptional customer service by delivering services in a respectful, courteous and professional manner, exceeding expectations at all times.

2. Create a strong foundational skill set for incoming students. 3. Disseminate accurate and timely information concerning

OTC, its resources, the transfer process, educational and career planning in a variety of formats to all constituents.

4. Administer entrance and exit assessment services in a variety of formats and disseminate assessment result interpretive data (collected from ACT) to appropriate college constituents.

5. Conduct advising training to faculty and staff. 6. Serve as a central referral and information access point for

the entire campus community. 7. Provide the most innovative/cutting edge services possible. 8. Evaluate services regularly through a variety of means (G.

Luke, personal communication, November 26 2012).

Goals of OTC Academic Advising

Full Time Staff/Benefits = $388,000Part Time Staff = $110,000Professional Devel-opment = $1,200Food/Travel = $6,000Postage = $25Printing, Software, Equipment, etc. = $153,775

Budget for 2012-2013 Academic Year

$659,000 total

2003 Lacked structure in advising 2006 Change in administration

New faculty advising by full-time instructors Trained by advising Challenge: Not all faculty want to advise

Allowed closer connections with incoming students and departments

2008 Group advising model was adapted - STAR Challenge: less personal interaction with students

Faculty and advising have similar roles Faculty more direct connection within field

E-Advising

Development of OTC Advising

Five year review process for the mission and goals lacked the commitment and follow-through that

was needed to improve on the services provided 2013 changes to an annual review process

layout the mission and goals for the following 3-5 years STAR: advisors help students define a program

that suits their interests and goals, and then works to formulate an education plan

Blackboard advising for online student population Bridge to Success: English, math, and reading Educational Center Advisors

Future of Advising at OTC

(G. Luke, Personal Communication, November 26, 2012).

Space Offices for advisors and STAR program

Limited budget Limits staffing Limits available resources

Diversity Student population more diverse than Springfield Lack resources for diverse population

Student Procrastination Registration Students get overwhelmed

Challenges

New annual review process STAR Survey College Student Satisfaction survey

More focused on the faculty advising Staff evaluation

Used to improve and set professional goals for the next year

Assessments in Place

Academic placement can be discouraging if the student is placed in classes lower than they expect.

Merging academics and student affairs with advising Still a gap between the two, especially with faculty

not wanting to advise beyond the requirement Financial aid and academic advising colliding

Financial aid and responsibility

Higher Education Issues

Technology multi-user based scheduling system Smart phone application

Facilitate training for faculty advisors Addressing faculty buy-in

Assessment and evaluation OTC’s continuing strengths

Continued collaborative efforts Innovative Programs

Recommendations

Through our interviews, literature reviews, and materials from OTC, the functional area of academic advising is better understood. The history of the institution, operational procedures, vision and goals, all play a role in academic advising. The values student affairs as a profession compliments OTC’s academic advising. With collaboration, assessment, technology, and student development, academic advising can continue to grow in new ways at OTC.

Conclusion