Advising First Generation College Students

Terre Lucas

Building Educational Strengths and Talents (BEST) Program

Cathy Blat

University Center for Academic Excellence

Fall 2011 – New Freshmen Demographics

FG(N = 1,007)

Non FG/Blank(N = 2,162)

Total(N = 3,169)

AFRICAN AMERICAN 14.0% 14.8% 14.5%

AMERICAN INDIAN 0.8% 0.3% 0.5%

ASIAN 7.1% 4.2% 5.1%

HISPANIC 8.8% 6.0% 6.9%

INTERNATIONAL 0.4% 3.2% 2.3%

MULTIPLE 4.7% 3.5% 3.8%

PACIFIC ISLANDER 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

UNKNOWN 2.4% 3.2% 3.0%

WHITE 61.8% 64.7% 63.8%

Source: Institutional Research Census Data

Fall 2012 – New Freshmen Demographics

FG(N = 1,033)

Non FG/Blank(N = 2,508)

Total(N = 3,541)

AFRICAN AMERICAN 13.5% 14.7% 14.3%

AMERICAN INDIAN 0.7% 0.5% 0.5%

ASIAN 6.0% 4.7% 5.1%

HISPANIC 11.1% 5.5% 7.1%

INTERNATIONAL 0.4% 2.4% 1.8%

MULTIPLE 4.9% 4.1% 4.3%

PACIFIC ISLANDER 0.1% 0.2% 0.1%

UNKNOWN 3.1% 2.6% 2.7%

WHITE 60.2% 65.4% 63.9%

Source: Institutional Research Census Data

Fall 2011 New FreshmenIncoming Characteristics

FG(N=1,007)

Non FG/Blank(N=2,162)

Total(N=3,169)

PGI 2.79 2.77 2.78HS GPA 3.71 3.64 3.66SAT V 515 527 523SAT M 540 548 545

Source: Institutional Research Census Data

Fall 2012 New FreshmenIncoming Characteristics

FG(N=1,033)

Non FG/Blank(N=2,508)

Total(N=3,541)

PGI 2.84 2.82 2.83HS GPA 3.76 3.69 3.71SAT V 517 526 524SAT M 544 552 550

Source: Institutional Research Census Data

Partnerships in Advising

Provide just in time information on resources to advisees Beginning of the semester

Getting Organized Workshop Complete a LASSI – Learning and Study Strategies Inventory

assessment followed by an Individual Consultation (IC) with a GA

Tutoring/SupplementaI Instruction (SI) for potentially challenging courses

Midterm Bounce Back from Setbacks Workshop Schedule an IC to discuss Time Management issues Tutoring/SI for courses with midterm grade deficiency reports

Partnerships in Advising

Provide just in time information (continued) End of the semester

Test Taking/Stress Management workshops Final exam review sessions – Reading Day

Students on Probation 49er Rebound program

SOS Mentoring Academic Strategies course (UCOL 1300) Niner Focus

Encourage students to apply for Tutoring/SI positions

A federal TRIO Student Support Services Program committed to facilitating the success of select populations of students adjust to the culture of higher education.

Services offered include BEST Choices Learning Community UCOL1200(2), UCOL2200 (on demand) & LBST2212 Academic advising & coaching Tutoring & access to other resources Access to a private computer lab Assistance with assessments & career exploration Exposure to diverse cultural activities

BEST ProfileBuilding Educational Strengths & Talents

Support for Select Populations BEST is charged with facilitating the success of

college students who are among the first in their family to attend

college; are from families with limited incomes; and/or whose ability to learn is somehow impacted.

Additionally, all Achievers have an identified academic need.

BEST Achievers, on average 93% - Good Standing 50% - GPA 3.0 or higher Retention & graduation rates rival those of the

institution At least one Achiever will study abroad each

semester

Flying Solo

Prepared For … … Reality

Characteristics of First-Gens

Less, different type of, parental support

Diverse perceptions of the first-gen experience

Different expectations

Lower self-esteem

Lack of preparedness

Recent definitions of “underpreparedness” have expanded to include a lack of understanding

about behavioral skills needed to succeed (which includes a pervasive unwillingness to take an instructors’ advice)

that learning is an active, shared responsibility with faculty

Sally Rings, 2001

The “New” Unpreparedness

Registration & Advising “Who should I talk to (Where should I go to talk) about …” “What does this mean to …”“When should I …”“Why am I taking this …” “How do I address …”

Pillars of BEST Advising: Intentionality

Impact of statement, “You should have known…” Flying solo Allocation of resources

Personal SMART Goal(s)

Questions & curiosity

Community Willful blindness “Get our hands dirty”

“If it takes a village to raise a child, build one!” Malik Compton Rock

Academic CoachingWhat’s your story? Why are you here (… and so I want to help people)?How will you make “it” happen?

Appreciation for academic advising

Advising Drives Success Advisors – know how the car works and they teach new car owners

how to use the Owners Manual Mentors – share his or her personal experience about becoming an

expert driver Coaches – sit in the passenger seat and support the driver in doing

whatever it takes to develop his or her own driving style

The Next Steps CAP workshops

Individual Consultation (IC)

Celebrate “Trailblazers”, “Survivors” and “Overcomers” Find your point of connection Think in advance about how you’ll relate Be mindful of hidden “isms”

Work together to create an academic community Mention goals to students Ask them for their question Hone your “one question” & share it so we can follow up

Referrals

…How can we make this happen?

… Thank you