Students' Perceptions of Career and Academic Advising in State College Learning Communities
Students' Perceptions of Career and Academic Advising in State College Learning Communities

Author: Kelly Marie Hallas

Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 114

ISBN-13:

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The purpose of this study was to examine if community college students in differing learning communities had different perceptions of their career and academic needs and whether students in different learning communities perceived their career and academic advisor as meeting these needs (i.e. are they satisfied with their advising). In addition, this study examined the variables of gender, ethnicity, and enrollment status and their relation to students’ needs and satisfaction across learning communities. The Community College that provides the backdrop for the inquiry has recently transitioned to Academic and Career Learning Communities. This institution defines its communities as similar majors grouped into concentrations so students can benefit from advisors dedicated to a student’s program, a closer connection to experienced faculty, and collaboration with like-minded students.A quantitative, non-experiential survey design was utilized for data collection. The survey utilized was adapted and modified from a survey originally developed by Leonhardy and Jimmerson (1992) and contained 43 questions, divided into 7 categories. Each category focused on an aspect of career and academic advising (i.e. academic, rules and regulations, course selection and information on majors, career development, counseling, advising climate, and general advising). There was also opportunity for students to leave additional comments.The Qualtrics survey link was sent to 6,994 students’ college email account and was available for 4 weeks. After two reminders, the original responses totaled 578 participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and multiple regression to determine the association between the variables of interest. The results of this study indicated that there were significant differences across three learning communities when compared to the Health and Veterinary Technology Community in four advising need categories. Asian, Black, and Hispanic students had significantly more advising need in two, three, and four (respectively) of the advising needs categories when compared to White students. Females had significantly less advising need in the category of rules and regulations. Enrollment status produced no significant differences related to needs or satisfaction. No significant differences were found across learning communities related to satisfaction. However, Black, American Indian, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and Other students had statistically significant levels of higher satisfaction across learning communities compared to White students. The results support the need for colleges to investigate the different advising needs of students within various learning communities, as well as investigate the needs of minority students in learning communities. It is in the best interest of an institution to understand student needs so that advising may be tailored to meet these needs. Information on satisfaction is equally imperative to an institution, as students who are satisfied may be more likely to persist in school. In turn, it is critical to understand the operational definition of learning communities for proper interpretation and use of results.

Academic Advising in the Community College
Academic Advising in the Community College

Author: Terry U. O'Banion

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2019-12-10

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 1475850867

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Academic advising is the second most important function in the community college. If it is not conducted with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness, the most important function in the college—instruction—will fail to achieve its purpose of ensuring that students succeed in navigating the curriculum to completion. The purpose of academic advising is to help students select a program of study to meet their life and vocational goals. As such, academic advising is a central and important activity in the process of education. Academic advising occurs at least once each term for every student in the college; few student support functions occur as often or affect so many students. But while there is general agreement concerning the importance of academic advising for the efficient functioning of the institution and the effective functioning of the student, there is little agreement regarding the nature of academic advising and who should perform the function. In this seminal work on academic advising, the authors of three overarching chapters address the key issues and challenges of academic advising followed by the authors of four of the most innovative and successful programs of academic advising in the nation.

Describing Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Academic Advising Practices in a College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Describing Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Academic Advising Practices in a College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Author: Caryn Mari Filson

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13:

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Abstract: Academic advising is an integral part of the college experience. Outcomes of academic advising may be more critical than realized by either advisors or advisees. Studies have been compiled to suggest that meaningful and developmental contact with advisors promotes student success (Johnson & Wang, 2011; Kuh, 2008; Tuttle, 2000). However, a review of literature was used to reveal that students are dissatisfied with their academic advising, and that an extensive need exists to educate and train academic advisors on methods needed for establishing effective advising for college students. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to describe current undergraduate students' perceptions of academic advising practices within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University. The theoretical foundation for this study included two theories of student development. Perry's (1970) Theory of College Student Intellectual Development was used to describe how college students progress through three major stages of thought in their cognitive development. Chickering's (1969) Seven Vectors of Student Development Theory was used to identify seven vectors along which college students continually develop. The researcher-designed questionnaire in this study contained 20 Likert-scale items that originated from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The researcher employed an online survey provider for data collection. Analyses of the results indicated that academic advisors in CFAES were providing good quality advising to their undergraduate advisees. Academic advisors in CFAES were rated positively in regards to their relationships with undergraduate advisees. Students reported that advisors were available, and provided accurate and up-to-date information when it was needed. It was also found that the institution provided good quality academic advising to undergraduate students in CFAES, as well as provided support to help students succeed academically through academic advising. Analyses of the results also identified areas of improvement for academic advising practices in CFAES. Academic advisors in CFAES are advising only half of their assigned undergraduate advisees, while half of the students indicated they were using sources other than their assigned advisor for advising needs. It was also reported that academic advisors in CFAES do not tend to discuss career plans with undergraduate advisees. It was concluded that undergraduate students in CFAES were generally satisfied with the quality of academic advising they received at the college and the institution. Relationships indicated that the more frequent contact advisees have with their advisors, the more likely they were to be satisfied with the advising practices and engaged in enriching educational experiences. Recommendations included providing academic advisor training for new faculty members to inform them of the policies, procedures, and effective practices in academic advising. A second recommendation was for the college to conduct professional development opportunities for faculty members who serve as advisors to update them on the current research and advising practices. Further recommendations included to assess the effectiveness of advisors by using student feedback and to encourage advisors to maintain regular office hours and offer varied modes of contact with advisees.