scholarly journals Strengths-Based Advising Approaches: Benefits for First-Year Undergraduates

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista M. Soria ◽  
Nicole L. Laumer ◽  
Dale J. Morrow ◽  
Garrett Marttinen

We explored the benefits of strengths-based academic advising approaches for first-year students (N = 1,228). We used propensity score matching techniques to create matched pairs of students who did and did not engage in strengths-based advising conversations with an advisor. First-year students who experienced strengths-based conversations had significantly higher rates of first-year retention and graduation in 4 years, levels of engagement, and academic self-efficacy than students who did not participate in these conversations. Focus groups of 21 advisors provided insights into strengths-based advising in 3 findings: strengths approaches facilitated advising relationships (thereby supporting students' engagement, retention, and graduation), enhanced students' self-awareness and confidence, and advanced advisors' own personal and professional development (thereby positively influencing student success).

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu (April) Chen ◽  
Sylvester Upah

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics student success is an important topic in higher education research. Recently, the use of data analytics in higher education administration has gain popularity. However, very few studies have examined how data analytics may influence Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics student success. This study took the first step to investigate the influence of using predictive analytics on academic advising in engineering majors. Specifically, we examined the effects of predictive analytics-informed academic advising among undeclared first-year engineering student with regard to changing a major and selecting a program of study. We utilized the propensity score matching technique to compare students who received predictive analytics-informed advising with those who did not. Results indicated that students who received predictive analytics-informed advising were more likely to change a major than their counterparts. No significant effects was detected regarding selecting a program of study. Implications of the findings for policy, practice, and future research were discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Ruth V. Walker ◽  
Alexandra I. Zelin ◽  
Carolyn Behrman ◽  
Rachel Strnad

University-based academic advising at a large, Great Lakes state institution was designed to support first-year students' transition to college. We conducted individual interviews and facilitated story circles with 162 students to determine their perceived effectiveness of advising. Analyses revealed four overarching themes: student difficulty making the distinction between roles of high school guidance counselors and postsecondary academic advisors, advisor communication, student desire for a relationship, and advisor accessibility. On the basis of data gathered, we developed a model for understanding the formation and maintenance of student advising perceptions.


Author(s):  
I. S. Morozova ◽  
E. V. Voronova

The paper discusses the problem of studying the relations of substantive characteristics of the value-semantic component of students’ psychological readiness for professional activity at various stages of studying at the Universityand presents the results of a longitudinal study of this issue. The results of the study indicated that the content characteristics (objective, process, result, overall rate of life-meaning orientations) are the basis of the value-motivational component of students’ psychological readiness for professional activity at various stages of studying at the University. According to the results of the study the axiological component of students’ psychological readiness of for professional activity into which first-year students includes orientation to the professional knowledge, skills. Students have 2 years of training to increase the value of the chosen profession, the desire to become a professional. In the 3rd year students’ valuemotivational component is represented in the experience of the crisis of professional development. In their 4th year of study, students have changing views about their professional future, orientation to future professional development.


Author(s):  
Despina Varnava-Maroucho

Through lessons learned, from the research outlined, the chapter aims, first, to provide future researchers with some practical knowledge on research design and development. Secondly, to emphasise some of the dilemmas that so often separate theory from practice in the field of student learning and which are so crucial for teacher professional development, course designers and educators in general.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Van der Meer ◽  
Stephen Scott ◽  
Keryn Pratt

Success, progression and retention of students are goals of many university strategic directions and policies. For many decades it has been recognised that the greatest focus in any retention strategy should be on first-year students. University of Otago too has goals around student success. The Strategic Plan of the institution also identified that in the context of a fiscally constrained environment, all of our activities and processes need to be assessed for efficiency and effectiveness.  To this end, a pilot was undertaken in one area of the university to identify possible indicators of first-year students’ non-engagement in the first semester and their possible impact on the first semester academic performance. The findings suggest that there are indeed some indicators that predict Grade Point Average at the end of the first semester.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Twaina A. Harris

Many academic support programs promote the academic success of first-year students, and research has shown the importance of effective academic advising to first-year student retention. Among the numerous approaches to academic advising, the strategy used by advisors at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) remains relatively unknown. This quantitative study is based on the most prevalent academic advising approach used at a HBCU in South Carolina. A well-documented survey was administered to 77 first-year students attending this institution to measure their experiences with prescriptive and developmental advising and their satisfaction with these advising approaches. The results showed that the most prevalent advising approach was developmental advising, and students were satisfied with aspects of both strategies.


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