S.O.S! Save Our Students:Building Relationships through Holistic, Case-Based,

Program-Specific Advising

CARA GOOD, PROGRAM GRANT DIRECTOR

MOLLIE RHODES, DIRECTOR, TITLE V

PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE

Evolution of the Model

• 2010 - 2012

• Case-based model used with allied health students

Quantum Foundation

• 2012-2016

• Case-based model used with Health Information Technology students

Department of Labor – TAACCCT

• 2015 - 2020

• Case-based model used with FTIC, Hispanic or low-income students

Title V

Model Applied with Different Populations

• Registered Nursing

• Licensed Practical Nursing

• Medical Assisting

Program-Specific

• Health Information Technology AS

• Medical Info Coder/Biller

• Health Informatics Specialist

• Medial Transcription

Program-Specific

• Learning Communities

• First Time in College (FTIC)

• Hispanic

• Low-income

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Cohort-Specific

Tools for Survival

Accessibility

Location

Technology

To Save Your Student, KNOW Your Student

First Generation or First Time in College

• Unfamiliar with College Life & Language

• No sense of belonging

• Unrealistic expectations

Adult Learners

• 40 year old freshman

• Balancing work – family – academics

• Flexibility is a must

Veterans

• Getting acclimated with civilian life

• Change of careers

• Direct, succinct, immediate feedback

Case-Based Advising Model

In addition to services typically provided by General Academic Advisors, the Health Information Advising Team additionally provides:

Low Student to Advisor Ratio (1:205)

Team of 3 advisors available at varied times

Advising services via multiple medias

Industry specific support

“One Stop Shop”

Connection to local WIB

Proactive!

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General Advising Health InformationProgram Advising

Advising Sessions Provided

During Summer Term + Fall Registration and Add/Drop

Advisor Roles in Saving Our Students

Holistic

Case-Based

Advising

Teacher

Mentor

Coach

Advocate

Community Resource

Sounding Board

Building Your Alliance

Holistic

Case-Based

Advising

Anticipate Student Needs

Responsive Communication

Overcome Obstacles

Facilitate Connectedness

Faculty Engagement

Interdepartmental Collaboration

Strengthening Your Alliance

Availability in person, by phone, email, Skype

Specialized outreach

Rapid response

Understand student populations

Proactive outreach

Meet students where they are

Facilitate Connectedness

Acknowledge barriers

Present flexible options to remedy obstacles

#1 system of support for student

Build rapport and trust Minimize isolation Encourage networking, alternative methods of

connecting

Faculty Engagement

Team meetings including faculty and Administration

Coordinate to remove student barriers

Communicate program updates/changes

Proven points of contact

One Stop advising services

Established referral procedures

Student Testimony

“You were so helpful & supportive during the process of returning to college (after 20

years!).”

“It is important that you know your guidance is appreciated & necessary to a student's

success.”

“You are a blessing to me with your encouragement and open door/phone

policy LOL.”

“As a new student you have taken me under your wing so to speak & have

advised me & set me in the right direction for what I wish to accomplish.”

“It is making my life so much easier in regards to what classes to take next & you do an excellent job in steering me in the

right direction & I really appreciate that. ”

“I value your suggestions & advice immensely as I think you’re a great advisor who really cares about the

students. “

More From Students…

Calling in Reinforcements!Partnership With the Workforce

Allocated funds within the grant budget

Developed a contractual agreement with the local WIB

Identified primary liaison for Advisors and students

Established SOP’s for reciprocal referral and data exchange processes

Streamlined the application process for ITA funding

Collaboration with each department on an individual and regular basis

Connecting graduates with WIB liaison for employment opportunities

Persistence is key!

Individualized Training Accounts

Non-HIT program82%

Health Info Program18%

Non-HIT program

Health Info Program

Third Party Evaluation

Since the inception of the grant, the number of applications to the HI programs has doubled.

The number of students enrolled in core courses is the highest since the program began.

Evidence shows that this holistic, case-based model of advising is effective in student enrollment and retention. Further quantitative and qualitative data analysis is scheduled to be conducted in March 2016 to evaluate final outcomes.

Accepted Health InformationApplicants

Pre-grant Applicants Post-Grant Applicants Current Students

“The HI Advising model holds promise as a sustainable practice for use throughout the entire college.”

“Each participant credited HI Advising as being a critical intervention in both the enrollment & continued persistence in the program.”

“The HI Advising model continues to be met with positive reviews & reactions, & participants who were interviewed confirmed the central importance of the need for continued support provided by HI Advisors.”

Third-Party Evaluators Reported:

Best Practices

Faculty Engagement Virtual advising

Outreach with high schools

Streamlining services with

external resources

Outreach/ Coordination with other campuses

Continuous student

communication

Lessons Learned

Red-headed stepchild

• “You won’t be here long…”

Academic vs. Student Services

• Faculty.

Training the WIB

• Staff turnover

Implementation

You can adapt this model for use within your own institution and with other student populations including, but not limited to:

Hispanic Serving Institutions

First Generation

First Year Experience

Veterans

Non-Traditional

How YOU Can Save Your Students…

Allocate funds for Advising positions into your grant budget

Baby Steps: Begin a pilot program at your college• Start with one program area where success is likely (Nursing)

Get buy in from Deans, Administrators, and Faculty• Align program goals with the overall goals of the department/college

Collect baseline data and evaluate outcomes