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Advisers Receive Advice, Share Ideas at Retreat |
| By
Kimyette Finley |
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Nov 8, 2002 |
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| About 40 academic advisers recently attended a retreat in Perrysburg. |
Last week, more than 40 professional UT advisers gathered for a daylong retreat. It was an opportunity to recognize the value of academic advising.
The off-campus event was the first for the Center for Advising Excellence, which celebrated its grand opening last spring. “It’s through that center that we’re really trying to kick off the training for academic advisers, both professional and faculty,” explained Ruth Meinhart, director of the Student Success Center, which houses the Center for Advising Excellence. “We want to promote the professional development and training of academic advisers.”
There are about 50 professional advisers representing UT colleges. The colleges also have faculty advisers who work with students. Meinhart said some of the basics of academic advising include student development, skills on interacting and relating to students, helping students identify their strengths, planning for careers, and uncovering a student’s basic needs.
Dr. Virginia Gordon, a nationally known speaker and adviser, spoke during the morning session of the retreat. Meinhart said Gordon helped the UT advisers see what students are expecting out of higher education and advisers in the future. Part of the afternoon activities featured a session titled “Academic Advising for Student Success and Retention,” part of the Noel Levitz training series for academic advisers.
The retreat was designed to recognize and celebrate the value of academic advising for student success and retention at the University. “There is a big push for retention on campus, and it’s happening in all areas. We’re trying to bring to the forefront the importance of academic advising in relation to retention and student success. They go hand in hand,” Meinhart explained. “Academic advisers are in each college, and they’re there to help students manage their way through the maze of higher education. Primarily, it’s advising them on the path to take in college — what classes to take, what the major is about. We can refer students to counseling if they need personal help, or we can refer them to the medical center if they’re having some problems with their health. We also refer them to tutoring, and faculty. Advisers can encourage students to get involved in professional and social organizations so they feel attached and a part of the University, which is a part of student retention. We would like to see our students develop good relationships with others on campus, which could help them stay and complete their degree.”
Deborah Sobczak, coordinator of advising and student affairs in the College of Pharmacy and president of the Intercollege Committee on Advising (ICA) for 2002-03, echoed the sentiments of Meinhart. “Advisers are a lot more than schedulers. We’re their [students] advocates on campus.”
ICA holds monthly meetings covering various topics. All of the academic advisers and academic program coordinators are considered to be part of the group, as well as anyone who provides services to students, such as the Office of Accessibility or Career Services. “It’s a nice way to open up the lines of communication on campus and network. We feel it’s important for the advisers to know each other, so if you have a student who is changing colleges or having other issues, you can refer them. Half of the battle of being an adviser is to know who to call and where to get an answer for the student,” Sobczak said.
Derek DuBose, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said his experience with his mentor has been positive. “In my freshman year I had a very strong relationship with my adviser, Mr. Ray Jackson. He helped me a lot as far as choosing classes. I took a semester off to go down to Disney World and perform, and while I was there he helped me as far as getting classes together for when I came back for this semester.” DuBose said he has communicated with Jackson this semester via e-mail. “I plan on getting in touch with him within the next few weeks to get some things finalized with the credits I took in Florida.”
College of Pharmacy sophomore Sarah Corrigan has worked with Sobczak for advice with her classes. “She helped me pick out what I needed to graduate on time. I’ll probably go back [to talk with her] before I schedule my classes to make sure I’m not missing anything.”
In addition to retention, Sobczak said “intrusive advising” is another area of focus. “Last year in the College of Pharmacy, we requested an office in Parks Tower since it is all freshmen. Every Thursday afternoon, we have an office up on the 15th floor. We’re right where the freshmen are. The College of Business came aboard this year, and once a week they’re over there. Eventually, we’d like every day to be a different college. If you can’t get the freshmen to come across campus and ask you a question … well, if they’re on the next floor, we’re right there. If they see you in those types of situations, they’re not scared to come and talk to you.”
Meinhart said another retreat for advisers is in the works for spring. “I hope to have two or three get-togethers over the year to continue the professional development of advisers.”
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