This document summarizes a group assessment project on enhancing the academic advising process at Northern Illinois University. It provides an overview of the Academic Advising Center, including its goals, the students it serves, and its assessment practices. It also discusses common themes in the academic advising literature such as the importance of relationships between advisors and students. The group's assessment tool is a mixed-method survey administered annually to evaluate needs, usage, and satisfaction. The presentation predicts survey results and makes recommendations, including benchmarking practices at other universities.

1. Enhancing the Academic Advising Process
CAHE 572:Group Assessment Project
Latisha Brandon, Carolyn Eastlin, Wendy Marshall, Dominique Scott, &
Shana Stringfellow

3. The Academic Advising Center at
Northern Illinois University
 What is the Academic Advising Center?
 Goals of the Academic Advising Center
 Who does the Academic Advising Center serve?
 What is done at the Academic Advising Center?
 Our lines of communication & assessment personnel
Ms. Michelle Pickett (Director)
Mr. Steven Barleen (Associate Director)

4. How can we enhance the Academic Advising process?
- Common Themes in the Literature-
•Rationale for relationships between advisors and advisees.
•Academic probation and advising at-risk students.
•Fostering positive relationships and experiences between
advisors and advisees.
•Students taking proactive approaches in advisement sessions.
•Methods for alternative Academic Advising

5. Qualitative Survey
Click in center of page.

6. Our Assessment

7. The Academic Advising Center
Assessment Tool
The assessment tool that is used by the Academic Advising
Center is a mixed method student survey that consist of
roughly 58 questions, assessing the needs, usage, and
satisfaction of the Academic Advising Center. The survey is
administered annually at the end of April to “undecided”
students, students seeking alternative majors, students that
utilize the AAC and students reassessing their current academic
situation.

8. Mission, Objectives, & Goals of
Assessment Tool
• Increase the retention rates of students who begin with the
AAC and 3th and 4th semester chance student.
• Increase the number of AAC students who declare a major no
later than the end of 4th semester of enrollment or junior
standing.
• Increase student learning and learning outcomes.
• Continue to increase student satisfaction with services
provided by the AAC.

9. Additional Assessment Information
• The retooled Annual Spring Survey
• The efficiency and many assessment tools of
the Academic Advising Center
• Our experience with the assessment project &
presentation
• Good ASSESSMENT!!!!!

10. Predicted Results
40
35
30
25
2012
20 2013
15
10
5
0
Needs Usage Satisfaction

11. Predicted Results
40
35
30
25
20 2012
2013
15
10
5
0
Needs Usage Satisfaction

12. Recommendations and Benchmarking

13. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel!
George Mason University
• STEMM Program
• Academic Intervention Program
• Snapshot Videos
Florida State University
• SSSMO
• C.A.R.E Program
• College Bridge Program

14. Learning Reconsidered: A Campus-Wide
Focus on the Student Experience.
The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
The American College Personnel Association
Day, P., Dungy, G. J., Evans, N., Fried, J., Komives, S., McDonald, W., Salvador, S., (2004)
[PDF document]. Retrieved from http://www.ohio.edu/recreation/resources/upload/
Learning_Reconsidered.pdf

15. What Should I Choose as a Major?

17. Questions?
Thank you!