The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville continues to utilize funds from a federal grant to increase the level of academic advising for students.
According to Jennifer Cannon, advising specialist, UACCB is implementing an ‘intrusive advising program’ for students enrolled in all degree programs. Cannon said, “Our advising center is set up to give our students access to personalized academic advising. We are continuing to improve the process. For example, this year we added a part-time advisor and next year we will add two. All advisors will have expertise in certain career areas. This enhances the information we can give to students who are deciding about their future.”
Many studies show the value of personal connection and social interaction as it relates to student success. The advising center staff works to build important relationships with students and connect each student to a campus support service like tutoring or developmental learning.
The advising center concept has been funded by a US Department of Education grant under Title III Strengthening Institutions Programs. UACCB’s objective with the grant is to upscale student support services to include advising, tracking student progress and intervention to help students overcome barriers to college success. Technology is a big part of this objective.
One such technological advancement is UACCB’s early alert system. Cannon says this tool allows faculty to communicate with advisors if students are experiencing difficulty in class, not attending or showing other at-risk signs. When the early alert is posted electronically, the advising center follows up with the student to identify and help solve any issues a student may have; thus, the term ‘intrusive advising’.
The advising center strives to maintain a continual relationship with students, following them from semester to completion, guiding their course selection and assessing support needs that UACCB can address. The federal grant funding also provides for faculty and staff training to further improve the academic advising system.
For more information about UACCB, call 870-612-2000.
Pictured left to right is academic advising center staff: Jennifer Emery, academic advisor; Vicky Bowren, administrative assistant; Jennifer Cannon, advising specialist; Erica Downs, academic advisor; Charles Barnett, academic advisor; and Katrina Farris, academic advisor.
