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Kristi Bitz Mayville State University Director of Counseling and Student Retention

Academic Advising Perceptions of Students Enrolled in a First Year Seminar Course where their Advisor Serves as the Seminar Instructor. Kristi Bitz Mayville State University Director of Counseling and Student Retention. Where’s Mayville?. About us (enrollment and retention).

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Kristi Bitz Mayville State University Director of Counseling and Student Retention

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  1. Academic Advising Perceptions of Students Enrolled in a First Year Seminar Course where their Advisor Serves as the Seminar Instructor Kristi Bitz Mayville State University Director of Counseling and Student Retention

  2. Where’s Mayville?

  3. About us (enrollment and retention) • 133 - average Freshman class size over the past ten years • 90 Freshman incoming 2008 • 147 Freshman incoming 2009 • 57.7% Freshmen retention average over past ten years • 60% of Freshmen came back for fall 2008 • 61% of Freshman came back for fall 2009 (highest since 1993 – first fall term after new FYE course implementation)

  4. In the beginning… • Work group formed including: • VP for student affairs • A coach (from our largest recruiting sport) • Faculty from several academic divisions • Housing staff • Discussed needs and concept for FYE course • Concepts run by student tutors. Feedback was great.

  5. SOS was birthed • Freshman Seminar changed to Seminar on Success • One full semester course • Letter graded, one credit course, versus previous S/U grading • Met for two hours, once per week Fall 2008, tried pairing with another GE • Met for 1 ¼ hours per week, Fall 2009, no GE pairing • Over 90% of Freshmen enrolled in 2008 and 2009 compared to 7% to 39% from 1996 to 2007 (average of 22%)

  6. Data collected • Retention • NSSE – Spring 2007 compared with Spring 2009 • SOS Survey • Focus Group • Fall 2009 Advising Perceptions Study

  7. NSSE – Spring 2007 Freshmen Compared to Spring 2009 Freshmen confidence level Participated in a community based project 99.12% (e.g. service learning) as part of a regular course Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of 96.82% academic advising you have received at your institution? How would you evaluate your entire educational 89.66% experience at this institution? Understanding yourself 94.07% To what extent does your institution emphasize helping you 97.57% cope with your non-academic responsibilities (work, family, etc.)

  8. SOS Survey Fall 2008Fall 2009 Survey participation of enrolled students 77% 69% Think the class should be required of all 68% (yes) 61% (yes) all incoming freshmen Course impacted decision to remain at 33% (yes) 20% (yes) Mayville State Top Topics • Educational Planning and Decision Making 1 1 • Finding a Path to Your Future 1 3 • The Value of a Liberal Arts Education 2 • Life Management Skills (time and money) 2 5 • Improving memory and Test Performance 3 4

  9. Focus Group – Spring 2009 • Feedback reflected much of what the Fall 2008 course survey revealed • Students thought a required text gave the course added merit but frustration was expressed if the text was utilized poorly • Morning class is not appealing – especially if prior to 10 AM • Activities made the class better – in and out of class

  10. Fall 2009 Advising Perceptions Survey • 137 Freshmen enrolled at time of study • 113 completed survey (82% response rate) • 104 enrolled in SOS (+1 no response indicated) • 8 not enrolled • After factor analysis, three constructs were identified including advisor concern, advisor contact, and advising relationship quality • Between group comparisons did not yield significant results (although mean agreement was higher for those enrolled in SOS on the constructs of advisor concern and advising relationship quality)

  11. What’s next • Peer Leaders • Review student feedback • Bimonthly instructor meetings throughout spring • Freshmen/SOS activities • Advisor changeover event • Spring student focus group • Course content and text decisions • Advisor/Instructor base solidified

  12. Questions? Kristi Bitz Mayville State University kristi.bitz@mayvillestate.edu 701.788.4772

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