VIRTUAL STUDENT CENTER (VSC) : Implementation Phase

1. VIRTUAL STUDENT CENTER (VSC) : Implementation Phase Khokiat Kengskool, Kandell Malocsay Diego Arbe, Shawn Blakey and Stephanie Strange Florida International University Abstract A strategy for virtual community-building has been developed in order to improve communications and bonding between upper division units and students (both native and transfer). The creation of Virtual Student Centers specifically tailored to the culture and key elements of each College or Program is a means of connecting students to other students, faculty, support services and the program in general. A Virtual Student Center is geared towards the currently enrolled student and is created from the student’s perspective, unlike existing and more traditional program websites. The Site components run the gamut from links and information on advising and academic support to bulletin boards for student-to-student communication. Job openings and research opportunities are effectively communicated. Students are able to learn about student organizations, scholarship opportunities, or special events sponsored by their program. The possibilities are endless and will vary from program to program. This paper presents the implementation phase of VSC for the College of Engineering and Computing at FIU. Website address is provided.

2. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING and ComputingVIRTUAL STUDENT CENTER (VSC) MAKING CONNECTIONS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY

3. VSC is Funded by “ The Title V ” Federal Grant To Support Student Success At Hispanic Serving Institution

4. Project Team Project Director: Ms. Kandy Bentley Baker Director, Retention Planning Principle Investigator: Dr. Khokiat Kengskool Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering Co-principle Investigator: Ms. Stephanie Strange Coordinator for Undergraduate Recruiting Project Investigators: Mr. Diego Arbe and Mr. Shawn Blakey Program Development Staff

5. Introduction • In order to improve communication and bonding between upper division units and students (both native and transfer), a strategy for virtual community-building is proposed. • The creation of Virtual Student Centers specifically tailored to the culture and key elements of each College or Program is described as a means of connecting students to other students, faculty, support services and the program in general. • Unlike existing and more traditional program websites, a Virtual Student Center is geared towards the currently enrolled student and is created from the student’s perspective.

6. Our students need to get connected • Being connected to the College, the faculty and each other improves student retention and graduation. • 75% of Engineering students are Transfers • Transfers (except for international students) tend to commute, work, and attend school part time. Generally, they do not feel connected.

7. One reason identified for this lack of connection is the absence of a platform for student-to-student and student-to-faculty communication.

8. Connection is Communication Through increased and enhanced communication students become more intellectually engaged, understand the ropes, get involved and help each other. That’s what the Virtual Student Center provides.

9. The Latest News Real Time Interaction AcademicHelp 24-7

10. Key Elements • Interactive: Chat rooms, bulletin boards, study and class project groups • Easy to use and maintain: Postings done by students and faculty online real time with automatic termination. • Dynamic: Easy to change and update from a desktop computer using Access database • Easy 24-7 access to academic help: Online tutorials and course-related materials and support. • Student orientated information: Jobs, research opportunities, scholarships, student orgs, sales and tutors.

11. Structure - Flow chart Index Academic resources directly related to FIU services Academic Services offered to the students by FIU Information/Opportunity Activities and resources for students to get connected Student to student Links to several FIU’s pages and services. Remote sites

12. Index Academic Information/ opportunity Student to student Plan Your Program Vital Contact Information Connect with FIU Students Admission Study Partner/Tutoring Organizations Financial Assistance Getting To Graduation Transportation Survival Information Request An eMentor Etc. Housing Freshmen Engineering Transfer Students Create an Interest Group Graduate Students Student Information Mall International Student Etc. Structure - Flow chart

13. System Architecture Internet SQL Asp pages Client side OS Default session Other Database Web browser & GUI Application Server Client Data server

14. Benefits of Web-Enabled Database Driven Virtual Student Center • Centralized Source of Information which is remotely accessible. • Forms an interactive platform to bind students by acting as a media of communication. • 7/24 supporting tool for students’ needs. • Messy notices on boards will eventually disappear. • Free for students. • Self Updated capable and User friendly.

15. Research Methodologies • Extensive study of announcement boards across FIU. • Interviews existing students about the difficulties they have been experiencing with. • Analytical analysis of students’ needs from diversified backgrounds.

16. Development Methodologies Technologies Used: ASP, JavaScript, VBScript, SQL Microsoft’s .NET Development Environment Web Server: IIS Macromedia Studio 2004 Mx Data Server: MS Access Server, SQL Server

17. Demonstration & Discussion http://titlev.fiu.edu/vsc