evolution of an academic advising unit
DESCRIPTION
Evolution of an Academic Advising Unit within a Growing University (session code 72). Miami NACADA Region 4 2012TRANSCRIPT
Evolution of an Academic Advising Unit within a Growing UniversityByLaura Brazzeal and Lucero Carvajal
Florida Gulf Coast University
History of FGCU
1997… 10th State University System (SUS) public institution of higher learning and last addition to the SUS.
Florida Gulf Coast University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees.
History of FGCUOrganizational Structure
History of FGCUOrganizational Structure (Academic Advising)
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) When the University
opened its doors in 1997, CAS only offered one major, BA in Liberal Studies which had 11 concentrations. As of Fall 2011, CAS has 20 undergraduate majors and also houses Undeclared students.
CASOrganizational Structure
The College of Arts and Sciences Advising (CAS Advising)
History of CAS Advising
CAS Advising
# of Advisor Lines per Academic year since 2004 when a more structured model was established
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2
3 3
4 4
5
6 6
Advisor Lines
CAS Advising
# of CAS Students per year
Limitations Minors Non-
Degree
F 97
F 98
F 99
F 00
F 01
F 02
F 03
F 04
F 05
F 06
F 07
F 08
F 09
F 10
F 11
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
190336440
582771
9551173
13961646
1903
23192564
2875
3182
3581
# Students per year
# Students
CAS AdvisingIncludes:
CAS MajorsUndeclared
Does not includeCAS MinorsNon-degreeGraduate studentsProspective students
Series10
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Student: Advisor Ratio since 2004
Fall Terms Spring Terms Summer Terms
CAS Advising
# of Degree programs housed in CAS per academic year 19
97-1
998
1998
-199
9
1999
-200
0
2000
-200
1
2001
-200
2
2002
-200
3
2003
-200
4
2004
-200
5
2005
-200
6
2006
-200
7
2007
-200
8
2008
-200
9
2009
-201
0
2010
-201
1
2011
-201
20
5
10
15
20
25
11 12 12 12 12 13 14 1416
19 1921 21 20 20
Total Programs
Total Programs
CAS Advising
# of Degrees Awarded
1997
-98
1998
-99
1999
-00
2000
-01
2001
-02
2002
-03
2003
-04
2004
-05
2005
-06
2006
-07
2007
-08
2008
-09
2009
-10
2010
-11
2011
-12
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
21
70
57
116149
207278
280321
360
407 407
534
601
Degrees AwardedProjected for 2011-12
Summary of Challenges Structural changes Growth in advising
team Growth in student
population Curricular changes
(new and existing programs)
Implementation of new processes by other offices due to their own growth
Athletics Office of the
Registrar
Managing Challenges While…
Empowering students
Organizing resources
Incorporating Institutional mission
Little Steps, Big Results Online Tutorials
Organized and maximized resources Money Advisor availability
Empowered students Engages students Earlier contact with
incoming students Incorporates
Environmental Sustainability (mission)
Reduced paper
Little Steps, Big Results Innovative
Resources: Mini grant Incorporate
missions Maximized
Resources Time Money Student Workers Reduced paper
Little Steps, Big Results Collaboration
and Technology Automated
waitlist option Online Graduation
Application Degree Works
Offices involved Academic
Advising Council Office of the
Registrar Information
Systems Academic Affairs
Little Steps, Big Results
Advising Agreement
Empowers students Engages students Sets expectations Ensures a uniform
message Summarizes degree
requirements and policies
Little Steps, Big Results
Advising Manual Maximized
Resources Increases training
efficiency Solidifies Unit,
College and Institution’s policies
Ensures a uniform message
Working document
Bonus Results Strengthening
relationships with other faculty
Positioning Academic Advisors as allies to faculty working toward a common mission
Became a leader and a model on FGCU campus in professional advising activities
Hosted NACADA webinar
Presentations to Advising Community
Brown Bag Lunch HR Trainings
Looking Ahead Reorganization
as of Fall 2012 CAS will add 4
degree programs from CPS (approx. 1152 students)
CAS will add 1 Academic Advisor
Budgetary constraints have shifted admissions focus from recruiting to retention
We have a strong foundation to manage future growth and change!
To Take Home Professional
Development Create/update
advising manual HR Brown Bags NACADA webinars
Reach out to other units Communication Technology
Be open to change See growth as
opportunity to be purposeful
Develop new methods
Thank you for coming!
Laura J. [email protected]
(239) 590-7434
Lucero M. [email protected]
(239) 590-7204