Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Topic Proposal

Title of proposed QEP: Enhanced Academic Advising

Description: How is the proposed topic transformative in terms of student learning? What student learning outcomes are addressed?

Academic advising is the key to achieving the college’s Personal Development general education goal. The VCCS defines academic advising as a program which assists students in the evaluation and attainment of their academic, career, and personal goals. Students who participate in comprehensive academic advising will be able to understand campus and college resources and develop the skills necessary to make informed, independent decisions. In addition,

• Students will explore, define, and work toward achieving their academic, career, and personal goals

• Students will be familiar with and be able to use campus, college, and community resources

• Students will learn and be able to use skills to explore, evaluate, and pursue career and job opportunities

• Students will gain the ability to realistically self-appraise

• Students will embrace and enact social responsibility

• Students will collaborate and communicate effectively with others

• Students will become independent and effective self-advocates

Congruence with Mission and Strategic Vision 2015: NOVA's mission is to respond to the educational needs of its dynamic and diverse community through an array of comprehensive programs and services that facilitate learning and workforce development in an environment of open access and through lifelong educational opportunities.

Good academic advising, along with excellent instruction, would become the defining characteristic of NOVA. Academic advising in one of the major tools for achieving student success. It is directly aligned with pass rates, retention rates, persistence, and successful transfer to four-year institutions, and career success.

Method: How do you envision NOVA carrying out your proposal?

Applicants need to make informed and guided decisions regarding their educational goals and program placement. Students need a clearly defined opportunity (or requirement) to receive guidance when making their initial program selection.

New and continuing students are not currently required to obtain academic advising before registering for classes. In particular, recent high school graduates, students in developmental courses, and international students are in the greatest need of regular, required advising. New Student Orientation programs can be used to start the advising relationship.

Students need multiple means to obtain advising, such as group sessions, campus or division workshops, and virtual advising.

Students pursuing AA and AS degrees need more comprehensive advising in terms of transfer issues. These students need advising specifically aligned with the requirements at the institution to which they intend to transfer.

Students in career-technical programs may require enhanced advising in order to meet general education requirements.

The role of faculty in advising needs to be more well-defined. Academic advising would be recognized as a key responsibility by faculty and academic divisions.

The advising relationship between counselors and faculty needs to be made more clear and consistent.

Assessment Plan: Address the expected outcomes and how they can be measured.

Performance indicators at multiple levels (college, campus, and division) will measure student success goals. Assessment of student satisfaction with advising will be continued.

Resources: What kind of resources (personnel, training, technology, etc.) do you anticipate will be needed?

Faculty need resources and ongoing training in order to be effective advisors. Staff support is needed, particularly with aligning current advising with Transfer Services. The use of technology to improve advising would serve a greater number of students. The use of PeopleSoft’s “3C’s” capability (Communications, Checklists, and Comments) will ensure more consistent advising. In addition, the prerequisite enforcement of PeopleSoft needs to be reviewed.

References (if applicable): Loudoun Campus Advising Task Force, NACADA