Orientation Academic Advising Program

University of Georgia

Directed by: Michelle Garfield Cook
Nominated bu: Laura Dowd

The University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts & Sciences provides academic advising to first year and transfer incoming students during the required summer orientation program. Roughly 4000 students enter the University each summer through the Franklin College. These students are seeking degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Pre-Business, Pre-Journalism, and pre-professional programs such as Pre-Nursing and Pre-Pharmacy. The academic advising portion occurs on the second day of the two-day freshman summer orientation program, after students have completed placement tests and had an opportunity to gain knowledge about the overall campus environment.

Since 2003, the Franklin College has implemented a team advising model. This innovative model was developed to provide both developmental and informational academic advising without compromising service, personal connection, or helpful academic tools that students at a large Research I institution should be afforded as they begin their academic careers. This team model is a metaphorical “funnel” – we begin with a wide overview in the area meeting, narrow down into smaller and more specific sessions then end with one-on-one advising.

Introduction to Academics Presentation
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Directed by: Patricia Folsom  --  Nominated by: Diane Hauser

In 1999, the Academic Advising Center and the Office of Admissions and Orientation Services, in collaboration, developed "Introduction to Academics" (ITA), a set of presentations designed to improve the consistency, clarity and effectiveness of academic information delivered to the 5,800 students and parents who attend the two-day Orientation programs each summer. The ITA, presented together by professional  academic advisors and student advisors, provides academic planning and registration information in a joint session for parents and students.

The interactive presentations, created by a team of advisors, receive high praise from parents and students. They report that the ITA leaves them feeling reassured and well informed about the academic planning process. Since the ITA’s address schedule building and course placement issues, parents and students have fewer questions of this nature and advisers can then focus on other academic issues, as well as student life and adjustment issues.

Program development and implementation included:

• creating low-cost PowerPoint presentations for nine different academic areas
• identifying and organizing crucial academic information for a diverse audience
• recruiting and training academic advisors to be presenters
• providing technological support and contingency planning, (e.g. technology breakdowns, presenter illness)
• training presenters on the use of technology in the classrooms
• collaborating with Orientation staff and student advisors
• evaluating and revising the presentation

The ITA has improved the advising process by addressing the academic concerns and informational needs of parents, students and advisors.

Brunswick College
Collaborative Orientation/Advisement Program
Submitted by: Dianne Castor and Charlie Nutt

Prior to 1990, Orientation and advisement on the Brunswick College campus was looked upon as an ancillary activity which had little connection to student success or retention. Following an accreditation visit, Brunswick College developed an entirely new process. The objectives for this process were three fold: 1) to increase student retention figures, 2) to create a collaborative emphasis on campus toward student success, and 3) to improve the services provided to students to increase their oppportunities for success and achievement. The program developed and implemented in Fall quarter 1992 consisted of a new orientation program, "Knowledge for College: Information for Success!!", a centralized advisement center for undecided major students and academically troubled students, a program of advisor training, evaluation, and reward, and an advisor manual. The entire program is coordinated and overseen by the Advisement/Orientation Committee, which was awarded Standing Committee Status in 1992, and is supervised by the chair of the committee who serves as Director of Advisement in addition to his or her full time teaching responsibilities. The committee reports jointly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for Student Development Services which has continually insured a collaborative effort between academics and student services.