Counseling Critical Support for Student Success

Reflections Love Compassion Passion Student success Student-centered Proactive problem solving

Shared Vision and Common Values

Counseling Framework Compassion for students Commitment to student success and program excellence Holistic view of student development academic, career, personal Student-centered Honor diversity

Board Study Questions What programs and services does Counseling offer and how do they impact student success? How do these programs respond to the diverse needs of students? How do we evaluate our programs and make improvements? What are our challenges? What are the solutions and recommendations?

Presentation Outline Reflections/Counseling Framework Student Demographics Student Profiles Delivery of Counseling Services Evaluation of Programs and Services Challenges/Recommendations

20 years ago, it was a simpler life… There were few students of color; They didn’t come from multiple colleges and universities; They were better prepared; Their lives were less complicated; And they knew what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go !

Today, students are diverse, worldly, and more sophisticated!

Who are our students?

Who are our students? Why are our students here?

How prepared are our students?

Diverse Student Body Recent high school graduate who is eligible for 4-year Recent high school graduate who is not eligible for 4-year Non-high school graduate English language learner Re-entry/Re-careering International

Diverse and Complex Needs First-generation Students with physical, learning and psychological disabilities Financial Family and work responsibilities Athletes Veterans Personal barriers (housing, domestic violence, child care, depression etc.) Probation/dismissed

18 AB3 – The Seymour-Campbell Matriculation Act 1986 Established eight mandated student success components The Matriculation Act enhances student access to the California Community Colleges and promotes and sustains the efforts of students to be successful in their educational endeavors. The goals of matriculation are to develop a partnership between the student and the college to ensure that students complete their college courses, persist to the next academic term, and achieve their educational objectives. Components AdmissionsFollow-up Assessment/Placement TestingTraining & Coordination OrientationResearch & Evaluation CounselingPrerequisites Key Research: Students who have received counseling services have persisted at a rate of 72% compared to 44% of those students who do not receive counseling. (Source: Statewide Matriculation Study 2005)

Counseling Discipline Counselor Responsibilities Counseling – Academic, Career, Personal Curriculum development and instruction – Study Skills, Career and Life Planning, Major Selection, College Planning, University Transfer, Student Success Strategies Outreach – Internal and External Partnerships with Instruction Shared Governance and Institutional Advancement Program Coordination Ongoing Professional Development

Flexible Delivery Systems and Improved Service Continuity Students and Counselors CONNECT in multiple ways: Matriculation enrollment process Scheduled appointments Drop-in Electronic communication and phone In the classroom Campus activities Improved Service Continuity Automated appointment reminders Electronic appointment system Electronic student files – notes and scanned documents Web resources Ongoing training

How Do We Evaluate Our Services? Student Satisfaction Surveys Program Reviews Student Focus Groups Counseling Meetings/Retreats Faculty Evaluations Student Learning Outcomes Assessments Analysis of SARS and Other Research Data

Three Examples Program Review Critical self-study that examines program efficiency and effectiveness, based data Student Satisfaction Surveys Students report that Counseling is ranked as one of the most important services critical to their learning experience and success. Overall, student satisfaction with counseling services is quite high; more services needed Counselor knowledge of transfer requirements ranked high in terms of importance and satisfaction. In many instances, Counselor knowledge about program requirements, assistance in setting goals, being approachable and caring about students ranked higher than national average. Analysis of SARS Data Track number and type of counseling appointments Anticipate high demand periods

Challenges and Recommendations Challenge Serving students during busy periods Beginning of each term (3 times/yr) Practices Triage - assessment of student needs Flexible use of staff/student ambassadors to support counseling function Reinforce importance of ongoing counseling relationship Recommendations Reinforce matriculation regulations that require counseling visits and intervention

Challenges and Recommendations Challenge Meeting multiple needs of diverse student population with current state allocation formula Practices “One Size Does Not Fit All” Holistic approach Multiple delivery models Balance of “high tech/high touch” Enhanced collaborations with instructional faculty (e.g. learning communities; first year experience) Recommendations Shift from access to success oriented approaches Explore aggressive/prescriptive interventions

Challenges and Recommendations Challenge Maintaining currency of information Practices Professional development activities Information sharing – workshops/meetings, consultation, s, sharepoint, research Mentoring for new counselors Recommendations Random review of student files Districtwide use of SARS database Use of degree audit system

Challenges and Recommendations Challenge Strengthening Faculty Partnerships – “It Takes A Village” Practices Counselor liaisons with instructional divisions Learning communities In-service for faculty Recommendations Establish and promote use of electronic early academic warning

Challenges and Recommendations Challenge Using Technology Practices Collaborations with ITS WebXtender SARS Grid Degree Audit Web-based services/information/resources Project ASSIST , telephone, e-counseling Counseling support for distance education, online instruction Recommendations Student ability to make counseling appointments via web Continued use of technology to increase efficiency/effectiveness Exploration of electronic Student Education Plan (SEP) Implement electronic early alert system

Challenges and Recommendations Challenge Need for additional research to evaluate and improve counseling services Practices Student surveys/focus groups Student Learning Outcomes Assessments Program Reviews Recommendations Develop common research agenda for Counseling Work with ITS to link SARS and Banner/MIS

Questions ?