Nicholls State University Academic Advising Center 2016 Annual Plan Assessment

Nicholls State University Academic Advising Center 2016 Annual Plan Assessment

Nicholls State University Vision: To be the intellectual, economic, and cultural heart of the Bayou Region. Nicholls State University Nicholls delivers accredited degree programs and comprehensive learning experiences to prepare students for regional and global professions within a spirited campus environment immersed in Bayou Region culture. Imperatives (Goals): G-1: Student Opportunity and Success G-2: Innovation G-3: Internationalization G-4: Serving the Needs of the Region Strategic Initiatives: Stakeholders S-1: Grow a financially viable university. S-2: Provide quality workforce and citizens for the Bayou Region. S-3: Maintain high student/alumni satisfaction with Nicholls experience. Internal Processes P-1: Sustain optimal enrollment. P-2: Establish positive image (brand) in wider marketplace. P-3: Enhance external relationships. P-4: Provide customer-focused student services. P-5: Optimize (innovative) program offerings. P-6: Provide meaningful student activities. P-7: Maintain regional and specialized accreditations. P-8: Recruit, develop and retain high quality faculty. Innovation and Capacity C-1: Cultivate climate for innovative teaching and research. C-2: Continuously improve core work processes. C-3: Provide appropriate facilities. C-4: Recruit, develop and retain high quality staff.

Consistent with the mission and goals of University College, the Academic Advising Center is committed to providing students with academic support and enrichment services and prepares first-time students for entry into their major area of study. Academic advising is a continuation of teaching, using University Studies 101 to promote student adjustment and foster independence. Through advising activities and student contact in University Studies, students explore their career choices and are taught the required curriculum. Program Outcome 1: Maintain adequate appointment offerings and available walk-in advising times to meet student needs. Assessment Methods: Using GradesFirst [nicholls.gradesfirst.com] advising software, monitor and track the number of recorded student appointments attended in an academic year. Using GradesFirst [nicholls.gradesfirst.com] advising software, monitor and track the number of recorded walk-in advising visits attended in an academic year. Using GradesFirst [nicholls.gradesfirst.com] advising software, monitor peak attendance times in order to determine student needs based on center usage. Targets: Provide a minimum of 5,800 advising sessions per academic year including walk-in visits and scheduled appointments. This target was increased from previous years due to recorded increase in total number of visits recorded in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Provide adequate advising appointments and available walk-in times during identified peak center usage times. Peak days of the week are identified as Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays. The peak attendance hours for appointments are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The peak attendance hours for walk-in visits are from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Increase the number of evening advising dates available will be increased from two to possibly three or four over a two week period. Results will be used to

Insert Departmental Mission Program Outcome 2: Maintain high student satisfaction with advising services. Evaluate student satisfaction with the services of the Academic Advising Center and student interaction with advisors. Methods: Advising Survey, newly developed for the purpose of assessing satisfaction with in-person and distance (e-mail, phone) advising interaction with students. Survey handed to each student after individual advising visits and send via e-mail to distance students. Targets: Secure a sample size of at least 500 surveys collected. Have at least 85% of students answer selected questions with a rating of at least a 4 (satisfied or very satisfied) on the survey scale indicating that they are either satisfied or very satisfied with their access to and participation in advising services offered through the center. What are the results of your Assessment Tools (surveys, audits, reports, etc.)? How will you use the results to reaffirm, make changes or improvements? What resources, if any, are needed to make changes or improvements?

Consistent with the mission and goals of University College, the Academic Advising Center is committed to providing students with academic support and enrichment services and prepares first-time students for entry into their major area of study. Academic advising is a continuation of teaching, using University Studies 101 to promote student adjustment and foster independence. Through advising activities and student contact in University Studies, students explore their career choices and are taught the required curriculum. Program Outcome 3: Assist students in overcoming educational and personal problems and skills deficiencies. Assessment Methods: Using GradesFirst [nicholls.gradesfirst.com] advising software, monitor and track the number of recorded student appointments for at-risk advising services. Assess effectiveness of at-risk advising services and UNIV 100 activities using student survey. Assess student improvement after participation in at-risk advising services and UNIV 100 activities using student academic data. Targets: Student survey results: at least 80% of students responding report that the at-risk advising services were effective in helping them overcome educational problems and skills deficiencies. At least 80% of students responding report that the UNIV 100 activities were effective in helping them improve academically by helping them establish skills for college success. At least of 50% of students in participating in at-risk advising services and UNIV 100 activities will improve their overall GPA.