EDD/581 Action Research Proposal Jami Anderson

Problem Statement The problem is that a significant number (75%) of admission advisors are not proficient in prospective student admission requirements into the physician associate program at the University of Oklahoma. Action Research Proposal

Problem Description Problem Description Based upon the observation of prospective student applications that have been submitted the admission advisors are doing a poor job of advising students of what processes they should complete to be a competitive applicant to obtain acceptance into the PA program Admissions advisors are not current on departmental updates Recommendation letter are being submitted through CASPA and we do not accept CASPA Student are not being enrolled in appropriate prerequisite courses Action Research Proposal

Purpose of the Project The purpose of this project is to increase the number of admission advisors that are proficient in advising prospective PA students Action Research Proposal

Writer’s Role Describe how you relate to the topic. Being an academic program specialist it is my responsibility to ensure students are being advised properly with the appropriate program information I have 11 years experience in a higher education advisement environment Describe why you picked this topic. Being properly or improperly advised heavily impacts a student’s future Action Research Proposal

Writer’s Role Describe how this topic influences or is influenced by your role in your current setting. As an academic program specialist I feel like I am responsible for ensuring prospective students are taking the appropriate courses and completing the processes required in order to obtain admissions into the PA Program Action Research Proposal

Problem Statement Problem Statement The problem is that a significant number (75%) of admission advisors are not proficient in prospective student admission requirements into the physician associate program at the University of Oklahoma. Action Research Proposal

Problem Documentation A survey will be conducted with prospective students that have completed the application process to evaluate the quality of advising they received focusing on students perceptions of advisor effectiveness and in what areas advising might be improved. Action Research Proposal

Problem Documentation The survey will consist of 10 questions The questions will verify that some academic advisors are not meeting program goals and student learning goals are not being met Identify commonalities and inconsistencies among the admission advisors. Action Research Proposal

Survey Questions Why did you use these survey questions? Are they yours or the University’s? Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 1 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings Marie J. Lindhorst Janet K. Schulenberg The Curriculum of Academic Advising: What We Teach, How We Teach, and What Students Learn Gain better awareness and understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of advisory to improve campus advising Findings revealed that academic advising has increased student knowledge and understand of academic programs and resources increasing learning outcomes Lindhurst, M., & Schulenberg, J. (2007). The Curriculum of Academic Advising: What We Teach, How We Teach, and What Students Learn. The Mentor, 9(8), 1-1. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from www.psu.edu/dus/mentor Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 2 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings Sarah Keeling The Influence of the CAS Standards on Academic Advisors and Advising Programs Study to see how the Council for the Advancement of Standards in influence academic advising programs Results indicate that participating advisors knew little about the standards Keeling, S. (2010). The Influence of the CAS Standards on Academic Advisors and Advising Programs. NACADA Journal, 30(2), 9-18. Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 3 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings Mary L. Ward The Essential Characteristics of Academic Advisors Identify essential characteristics of academic advisors There are relationships between essential advisor characteristics and the NACADA framework for academic advising Ward, M. L. (2011, January 1). The Essential Characteristics of Academic Advisors. ProQuest LLC, Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 4 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings George Mikluscak Jr. A Qualitative Inquiry into the Training and Development Provided to Community College Academic Advisors Investigate factors academic advisors believe are crucial to their support as advisors Lack of training and development, lack of advising support from higher management, and the need for additional funding and staff Mikluscak, G. r. (2010, January 1). A Qualitative Inquiry into the Training and Development Provided to Community College Academic Advisors. ProQuest LLC, Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 5 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings Vanessa Johnson-Dedeaux An Investigation of Students' Satisfaction with Academic Advising and Students' Impressions of Academic Advisors at a Rural Community College Investigate career/technical students satisfaction with academic advising Participants considered their advisors to have above average communications skills, helpful, and effective Johnson-Dedeaux, V. (2011, January 1). An Investigation of Students' Satisfaction with Academic Advising and Students' Impressions of Academic Advisors at a Rural Community College. ProQuest LLC, Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 6 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings Kyra L. Sutton Student Satisfaction with Information Provided by Academic Advisors Identify the level of satisfaction students have with the information provided by advisors on a variety of matters Students were satisfied with core issues and less satisfied with immediate information they were provided Sutton, K. L., & Sankar, C. S. (2011). Student Satisfaction with Information Provided by Academic Advisors. Journal Of STEM Education: Innovations And Research, 12(7-8), 71-85. Action Research Proposal

Literature Review – Study 7 Study Author(s) Study Title Study Purpose Pertinent Findings Leavvernard Jones Jr. An evaluation of academic advisors' roles in effective retention Investigate role of academic advisors and their role in retention The results of this study revealed academic advisors' roles do influence student success and retention rates, and barriers exist that negatively impact retention rates. Jones, L., Jr. (2011). An evaluation of academic advisors' roles in effective retention. (Order No. 3473534, Capella University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 121. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/896067716?accountid=35812. (896067716). Action Research Proposal

Action Goal Action Goal The goal of the intervention is to increase effectiveness of admissions advisors. A three part intervention will be implemented over a six week period to meet the goal. The three parts will include weekly professional development workshops, collaborations sessions with mentors, and observations of advisors. Action Research Proposal

Selected Solutions Administer admissions advisors survey to students to gain feedback regarding the proficiency of academic advisors Pre-Assessment of admission advisors knowledge Administer an assessment to gain recognition in the proficiency of admissions advisors knowledge of college procedures and program requirements Action Research Proposal

Selected Solutions Advisors will attend weekly Professional Development Workshops. Training sessions will occur in a classroom and computer lab and will include lecture, discussion, and hands on computer exercises. Provide and discuss advisement goals and objectives of the college Changes and updates in departmental requirements Provide People Soft and D2L software training Become knowledgable in credit transfers and prerequisite program requirements Become familiar with ethical and legal issues Self assessment and training evaluations will be conducted to monitor progress Action Research Proposal

Selected Solutions Weekly collaboration with assigned mentors Each advisor will be assigned a mentor and collaborate over training topics that will meet departmental objectives. Understand the Role and responsibility of admissions and advisors Providing proper course selection Building support, commitment, and respect Communication and professionalism Understanding students needs and promoting student learning Making a connection and motivation students Action Research Proposal

Selected Solutions Observation Each academic advisor will be observed one day a week to observe their communication relations with new students Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Overview General Plan Information Begins before students return to school for the fall semester Participants are admission advisors and students Plan recurs weekly with different skills in place Evaluation will occur weekly during the observation and a survey will be submitted at the end of the fall semester to students to evaluate the effectiveness of their advisor Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Week 1 Week 1 Pre-Assessment of admissions advisors knowledge Workshop discussing advisement goals and objectives of the college Working with a mentor to understand the Role and responsibility of admissions and advisors Observation of advisor and communication skills and interaction with students Feedback will be provided Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Week 2 Week 2 Workshop discussing and updates in departmental requirements Working with a mentor to discuss how to make proper course selection Observation of advisor and communication skills and interaction with students continued Feedback will be provided Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Week 3 Week 3 Attend a workshop that will provide Peoplesoft and D2L software training. Work with a mentor to learn how to build support, commitment, and respect from students Observation of advisor and communication skills and interaction with students continued Feedback will be provided Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Week4 Week 4 Attend a workshop to become knowledgable in credit transfers and prerequisite program requirements Work with a mentor to learn skills in communication and professionalism Observation of advisor and communication skills and interaction with students continued Feedback will be provided Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Week 5 Week 5 Attend a work shop to become familiar with ethical and legal issues Work with mentor to better understand students need and promoting student learning Observation of advisor and communication skills and interaction with students continued Feedback will be provided Action Research Proposal

Calendar Plan Week 6 Week 6 Post-Assessment of admission advisors knowledge Self assessment and training evaluations will be conducted to monitor progress Working with a mentor to learn how to make a connection and motivate students Observation of advisor and communication skills and interaction with students continued Feedback will be provided Surveys will be emailed to each student that enrolled in the fall semester to evaluate the effectiveness of their admissions advisor Action Research Proposal

Expected Outcomes The overall goal is to is to increase the proficiency of academic advisors Understanding and meeting the needs of students Increasing institutional success Increase student learning Action Research Proposal

Expected Outcomes Outcome 1 Bridge the gap as to why advisors are not proficient and meeting student expectations Outcome 2 Resources are created and available for admissions advisors concerning regulations, academic policies, and procedures to communicate to students Outcome 3 Students will be enrolled in the correct prerequisite courses by their academic advisor for successful admissions into the PA program Action Research Proposal

Measurement of Outcomes Outcome 1 Outcome will be measured through student opinion surveys, and mentor observations that will be conducted to assess advisors current proficiency to determine effective training needs Surveys will be given to students that will identify in what areas program advisors are lacking. Mentors will observe advisors as they interact with students and answer phone calls and an evaluation will be done by the mentor determining areas that need improvement. Areas that were identified by the students and mentors as needing improvement will be the areas that training will be created and implemented. Action Research Proposal

Measurement of Outcomes Outcome 2 The outcomes of the training received from professional development workshops will be measured using student satisfaction surveys as well as mentor observations. The same surveys and observation format that was used to determine in what area training was needed will be used to access if there is improvement in the identified areas after the completion of the workshops. Action Research Proposal

Measurement of Outcomes Outcome 3 Students will show student success by increased retention in the program. This outcome can be measured by the percentage of complete application packets received by the program deadline Action Research Proposal

Analysis of Results How will you analyze your results Data will be compiled in an Excel sheet. I will take the outcomes of the survey, and mentor observations, and percentages of completed admissions packets and put the data into charts and graphs. The results will be compared each application period to see if the results have been effective in each area. Action Research Proposal

Analysis of Results How you will determine if your solution strategy was effective Through the graphed and charted data collected after each application cycle. If the data shows there is an increase in advisor proficiency provided by the survey and observation results and there are increased completed program admission packets then the solution strategy was effective Action Research Proposal

Analysis of Results How you will present your findings and to whom you will present them I will present the findings to institution’s program director so proper training and workshops can be conducted The survey and observation data will be used as an analysis to support in what areas advisors need training to become proficient in their program areas. Findings will be presented in graphs and charts presented the form of a PowerPoint. Action Research Proposal

References Johnson-Dedeaux, V. (2011, January 1). An Investigation of Students' Satisfaction with Academic Advising and Students' Impressions of Academic Advisors at a Rural Community College. ProQuest LLC, Jones, L., Jr. (2011). An evaluation of academic advisors' roles in effective retention. (Order No. 3473534, Capella University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 121. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/896067716?accountid=35812. (896067716). Keeling, S. (2010). The Influence of the CAS Standards on Academic Advisors and Advising Programs. NACADA Journal, 30(2), 9-18. Mikluscak, G. r. (2010, January 1). A Qualitative Inquiry into the Training and Development Provided to Community College Academic Advisors. ProQuest LLC, Lindhurst, M., & Schulenberg, J. (2007). The Curriculum of Academic Advising: What We Teach, How We Teach, and What Students Learn. The Mentor, 9(8), 1-1. Retrieved September 1, 2014, from www.psu.edu/dus/mentor Sutton, K. L., & Sankar, C. S. (2011). Student Satisfaction with Information Provided by Academic Advisors. Journal Of STEM Education: Innovations And Research, 12(7-8), 71-85. Ward, M. L. (2011, January 1). The Essential Characteristics of Academic Advisors. ProQuest LLC, Action Research Proposal