Online Advising for Military Student Success Balancing Student Needs and University Expectations

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1 Online Advising for Military Student Success Balancing Student Needs and University Expectations Caroline Simpson Associate Vice President of Student Advising American Public University System Michelle Newman Director of Student Advising American Public University System

2 Presentation Learning Objectives Attendees will review the APUS organization and mission. Attendees will understand the unique advising needs of students in the military. Attendees will discover how APUS Advisors establish and maintain a partnership with students in the military, at a distance, through effective advising techniques. Attendees will learn how the partnership between the Advising and other APUS teams benefits students in the military and empowers the employees that work with them. Attendees will relate the APUS Advising experience, systems, and processes to their institution s needs.

3 Our Military/Higher Education Connection

4 AMU Established in % Online Over XX Degree Programs Over XX Certificate Programs

5 Mission Statement To expand access to quality higher education with emphasis on educating the nation s military and public service communities by providing respected, relevant, affordable, and student-focused online programs, which prepare them for service and leadership in a diverse, global society.

6 University System Organization

7 Students Occupations XX% Military XX% Civilian Total Students XX,XXX+ XXX+ Transfer Students (UG) Approximately XX% Average Age XX Years Gender Ratio XX% Male XX% Female

8 Military Student Population This student population is unique in many ways. Adult Learners Transfer Students Unique Funding Types First Generation Distance Learners

9 Student Services Organization

10 Advising Department Organization

11 Advising Expectations Mission Statement Our mission is to set the standard in academic advising by providing clear guidance, direction, and rationale, thereby empowering students to make knowledgeable decisions affecting their education goals and future endeavors. Advising Student Learning Outcomes Students will successfully navigate our online database and utilize provided resources. Students will approach complex advising questions confidently and systematically. Students will make informed decisions about enrollment based on academic and professional goals. Students will be proactive in the search for information. Students will take responsibility for the educational process.

12 Advising Theories General Theories APUS Application Prescriptive Advising + Developmental Advising = Collaborative Advising

13 Prescriptive Advising Characterized by one-way, asymmetrical communication. Student is the passive recipient of information that is provided by the Advisor. Advisor diagnoses problem and provides a resolution to student based on this diagnosis. Student is not an active participant p in the decision-making gprocess. APUS Application Students use their Academic Plans for answers to questions about course progression, etc. Advisors are able to explain curriculum and learning process for each degree. This style of advising is mainly used when students seek operational knowledge.

14 Developmental Advising Characterized by two-way, symmetrical communication. Advising is a shared responsibility between the Advisor and the student. Encompasses student s personal, career, and overall goals. Purpose is to grow and develop student s initiative and cognitive processes. Basis in theory (cognitive development, psychosocial theory, etc.) Each advising session builds on previous sessions in scope and focus. APUS Application This is the least-often used model due to our military and working professional-centered distance education model. Most students are already established professionals in the field they are pursuing. The majority of students come into APUS with substantial experience.

15 Collaborative Advising Marc Lowenstein, Penn State University developmental advising is not a style; it is a theory that can be used on all types of advising. Characterized by two-way, symmetrical communication. Focus is specific to student s academic learning; this leads to intellectual growth in cognitive processes. Does not encompass other growth and developments to the extent of the developmental approach. Does not need to involve counseling in a broad sense.; this keeps advising unique to academia. APUS Application Selection of Advisors focuses on communication skills, education, and experience. Content of advising assumes student experience and development achieved to date; the focus is on academically-centered curricular relationships, questions, and decisions.

16 Advising Tools and Resources Student Information System (PAD) Online Campus Online Library Student Advising and Resource Center Online Publications (Handbook, Catalog) Department Partnerships

17 Student Information System Partnership at a Distance The APUS Student Information System is called PAD. PAD was home grown and is organized into two main sections: Administrative Portal Administrative Portal Student Portal

18 Administrative Portal Student Information

19 Administrative Portal System Notes

20 Student Portal Online Campus INSERT LINK TO VIDEO

21 Student Portal Access to Resources

22 Student Portal Online Library

23 Student Portal Department Websites

24 Military Student Focus Policies Procedures Systems Partnerships APUS Departments and Military Constituents

25 Policies

26 Procedures

27 Systems

28 Other Departments Transfer Credit Initial Evaluation Transfer Credit ditupdate Academic Progress Audit

29 Academic Plan

30 Other Departments Academics Subject Matter Experts Faculty and Dean Relationships Curriculum Committee Academic Catalogs

31 Other Departments Finance

32 Discussion Resources for You and Your Institution

33 Thank you! Caroline Simpson Associate Vice President of Student Advising American Public University System Michelle Newman Director of Student Advising American Public University System

34 Reference