2. Peer Advisors: Enhancing the Advising Relationship at a 2-year College
Alamo Colleges District –
Palo Alto College
March 4th 2018

3. About your presenters…
Arianna C. Lay, M.Ed.
Advising Team Leader
15 years of Higher Education
Carmen Velásquez, M.Ed.
Michael Ximenez, M.A.
Director of Advising
Carmen

4. Presentation Overview
Palo Alto College Snapshot
Case Management at Palo Alto College (PAC)
Peer Advising at PAC
Qualifications for Peer Advisors
Training Components
Student Success Management Plan & Outreach
Advising Outcomes
Peer Testimonials
Carmen

5. Palo Alto College Snapshot
Two-Year Public Comprehensive Community College
Location: South San Antonio
Accredited by the SACS-COC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges)
Degrees Awarded: AA, AS, AAT, AAS, & Certificates
Tape Award and Baldrige Recipient.
Carmen

6. Snapshot continued… 19% Full-time, 81% Part-time 60% Female, 40% Male
Ethnicity:
78% Hispanic
17% White
3% African-American
71% of FTIC’s require some level of developmental education
62% on Financial Aid assistance
53% Economically disadvantaged
Carmen

7. Small Group Discussion
What challenges have you encountered in connecting students with their advisors?
What methods have you used to increase student/advisor contacts?
Please share any successes or failures you have experienced as a result.
Mike X.

8. Case Management at PAC Three (3) advising centers on campus:
Certified Advisor Caseload (350:1)
Advising Centers are defined by AlamoINSTITUTES (Program Pathways).
All advisors complete the Master Advisor certification program with the Center for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) within 12 months of employment
Certified Advisors advise from entry through to completion
Arianna

9. Peer Advising at Palo Alto College
Implemented Fall 2013 after representatives attended the National Conference on High Impact Practices
Identified as a High Impact Practice
Developed to encourage students to visit with an advisor
6-7 Peer Advisors assigned to each Advising Center
Provide support and encouragement to PAC students
Serve as a point of contact to help answer student inquiries
Arianna

10. Peer Advising at PAC continued…
Students are assigned to a Peer Advisor by the end of the first week of classes based on classification and program
Refer fellow students to Certified Advisor and appropriate resources
Conduct classroom presentations and assist with advising events
Arianna

11. Peer Advisor Qualifications
Cumulative GPA of 2.75
Have earned at least 31 credit hours
Have attended Palo Alto College for at least 1 semester or be a recent PAC graduate
Must maintain concurrent enrollment at time of employment
Must attend 15 hours of paid training
Comment about Institutional Hard Funds
Mike X.

12. Peer Advisor Training
Peer Advisors attend a two-day (total of 8 hours) training focusing on:
AlamoADVISE Overview
Expectations, Advising Learning Outcomes, Peer Service Area Outcomes, Department Duties
FERPA and State Regulations
College Resources
Behavior Intervention Strategies
Degree requirements
Banner Student Training (ERP for Alamo Colleges District)
Training culminates with Peer Advisors leading student groups during New Student Convocation (NSC).
Comment about Institutional Hard Funds
Mike X.

13. Student Success Management Plan & Outreach
Welcome all FTICs and Returning students via telephone and within the first 2 weeks of class
Inform students of upcoming deadlines and campus events
Contact students to set up advising appointments for:
Graduation
Completion of Individual Success Plan (ISP)
Early Alert Interventions
Assist all FTICs in developing My Mission Statement
Comment about Institutional Hard Funds
Carmen

14. Student Success Management Plan & Outreach
Encourage registration in all Math developmental courses, Integrated Reading & Writing developmental courses, and ENGL 1301 courses
Present in EDUC 1300 (FYE Course: Learning Frameworks)
Refer students to campus support services
Engage with students during campus events:
Advising Months (October and March)
New Student Orientation
New Palomino Convocation
Palomino Round Up (first week activities)
Transfer and Job Fairs
Comment about Institutional Hard Funds
Carmen

15. Peer Advisor Service Area Outcomes (SAOs)
Advising Outcomes:
Peer Advisor Service Area Outcomes (SAOs)
SAO 1: Students will be able to identify their Academic Advisor
Fall 2017 EDUC 1300 Survey Results
Mike X.

16. Fall Semester Advising Visits
Advising Outcomes:
Fall Semester Advising Visits
Mike X.

17. Fall 2017 Advisor Survey Feedback
Advising Outcomes:
Fall 2017 Advisor Survey Feedback
Question
Strongly Agree/Agree
Response Count
Advising Staff was knowledgeable about the various student success departments.
89%
495/556
I receive helpful academic planning with my degree plan.
90%
500/556
Because of my experience today, I will likely return for advising services in the future.
Mike x.

18. Full-Time Three-Year FTIC Graduation Rates
Advising Outcomes:
Full-Time Three-Year FTIC Graduation Rates
Nearly TRIPLED since 2009
Mike X.

19. Full-Time Four-Year FTIC Graduation Rates
Advising Outcomes:
Full-Time Four-Year FTIC Graduation Rates
TRIPLED since 2008
Mike X.

20. Degrees and Certificates Awarded
Advising Outcomes:
Degrees and Certificates Awarded
53% INCREASE since 2013
Mike X.

21. Peer Advisor Testimonials
“Working as a Peer Advisor has been a wonderful experience for me. The BOLD Advising Center has been an outstanding work environment; every Advisor and Peer does their part and helps each other out when needed. Our Advisors always put 110% effort into helping students and that is truly inspiring. I absolutely love resolving students’ problems and when they thank us for our efforts.” Sarah Gonzales, Peer Advisor for BOLD Advising Center
“My time spent as a Peer Advisor at Palo Alto College has been one of the best learning and growing experiences I have undergone. Being able to engage students and guide them through college life has been a blast. The staff and faculty I have worked with really have impacted how I view the college setting and actually inspired me to pursue a career in education.” Jonathon Martinez, Peer Advisor for SEED Advising Center
“My experience working as a Peer Advisor has been both positive and challenging and has changed my outlook on life. I say positive because knowing that I had an impact on students when helping them register for school is a great feeling. Most students coming into our office are lost and they do not know where to start. Working alongside the advisors allowed me to learn the ins and outs of helping students in pursuing their desired degree or certificate.” - Nancy Gonzales, Peer Advisor for STEM Advising Center
Arianna

22. Thanks.