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Improvement Practices -Advising for incoming students (Fort Valley State University-2023)

Strategy/Project Name: 
Improvement Practices -Advising for incoming students
Momentum Area: 
Change Management
Category: 
Strategy/Project Description: 

Prior Submission: Better Use of Dynamic Forms

Previously, strides were made to improve at the institution to lessen the structural obstacles facing students. The migration to self-registration and the electronic process for academic advising assisted in streamlining the process for students and advisors. Initially, all forms were advisor initiated. Modifications were made to forms to make them student-initiated, creating a shared responsibility between the student and advisor. Updates were also made to the change of major form, and the mid-term drop form for better efficiency.

Earlier Advising and Registration Options for Incoming Freshmen

Most notably, the registration process for incoming freshmen improved tremendously.  Incoming freshmen were engaged virtually for the first time in March of 2021. They were allowed to meet with their advisor and register for classes.  Almost 400 incoming freshmen were registered prior to the end of May 2021. Almost 500 students were registered prior to the end of July 2021. In collaboration with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the same virtual opportunity will be presented to incoming freshmen for Spring 2021.

Activity Status: 
Evaluation/Assessment plan: 

Evaluation Plan and measures:  RSVPs to our Enrollment 101 orientation sessions data. Weekly registration reports for incoming students and attendance at the Enrollment 101’s, Students who attend the  Survey to students and staff assessing the dynamic form process.  

KPIs:  100% of first-time freshmen and transfer students enrolled in the Enrollment 101 courses will be registered for classes.

80% of registered students will attend the orientation.

Baseline measure (for each KPI): 78% of students that registered, attended the sessions.

Current/most recent data (for each KPI):

Goal or targets (for each KPI):

Time period/duration: This process begins in April - July

Plan for the Year Ahead: 

This dynamic form process was a great way to track and improve academic advisement for students and assist students with learning the process of critically thinking through how to build a schedule, conduct their own degree audits, and utilize technology to complete the registration process.  however, the use of this form is very cumbersome as it has several moving parts. 

 

The registration of all new incoming freshmen was very successful as students were able to have classes prior to them arriving on campus before their Enrollment 101 sessions. These sessions allowed students to be oriented to the institution with a tour, they were able to handle all administrative tasks necessary to matriculate into college.  They were able to meet with key offices and ask any questions needed.  They received a tour of the campus and many students’ parents were in attendance as well. Below are the number of students who registered versus those who attended.  This was the first year of keeping track of data and we had a 78% attendance yield.  Moving forward, we will review the sessions that need to take place, such as parent sessions, a session specifically for transfer students, and change of majors.

 

 

Registered

Attended

Yield Rate

June

98

73

74%

 

51

37

73%

 

70

58

83%

 

96

81

84%

 

90

70

78%

 

93

77

83%

July

99

72

73%

 

100

89

89%

 

43

29

67%

 

39

27

69%

Virtual

51

36

71%

Total

830

649

78%

 

Plan for the year ahead (What steps will you be taking in 2024)    

Our team will review the data points of the survey submitted by students to identify any opportunities for improvements with the Enrollment 101’s.

The team will conduct a value stream mapping project (LEAN) on the dynamic forms to identify all the steps in the dynamic form/registration process and see which components are necessary.   A survey will be sent out to students to assess their experiences with the process.

Challenges and Support: 

Our team will review the data points of the survey submitted by students to identify any opportunities for improvements with the Enrollment 101’s.

The team will conduct a value stream mapping project (LEAN) on the dynamic forms to identify all the steps in the dynamic form/registration process and see which components are necessary.   A survey will be sent out to students to assess their experiences with the process.

Primary Contact: 
Latosha Baldwin Executive Director of the Student Engagement and Achievement Center