Advising Like a Champion
As an advisor and life coach, I rely heavily on Schunk's cognitive information processing (1995) as well as Tinto's student retention model (1975) to create students who are active in changing their lives to become self-regulated learners. By creating active learners, who have the ability to operate out of self-efficacy, students understand the "bridge" that needs to happen for them to manifest their dreams.
Within my year and a half at Concordia University Wisconsin, I have been able to realign their academic probation program for Design Your Future students, shaping accountability and student resources that tracked student progress as well as measuring length of time students needed to move off probation. I've had the privilege of supporting the graduation of 22 students at the associates level (30 student max within the program). I've also cultivated an alumni relationship with DYF students who have progressed for a Bachelor's. This relationship has been essential to building retention for freshman as well as tracking DYF alumni within the Concordia system until Bachelor's completion. I have aided retention with creating student intervention and First Year Experiences for students with New Student orientation and semester starts called "Opening Meetings." The designs and implementations have been for students and faculty.
As a well rounded candidate, I understand the importance of supporting students through the most important relations they will have with attending college: financial aid, advising, and career services. 25 % of my role relied on me ensuring that students not only successfully applied to financial aid, but passed verification before being seated in a classroom. This year, my success happened with 21 students being verified and seated (completing both 2015-16 and 2016-17 FAFSA applications). 25% of my role included supporting students on their "exit" strategy for continuing college, while entering the workforce. Utilizing interpersonal skills, I interfaced with the Career Services and Alumni Relations departments. Through these relations, I was able to create the 1st Generation Alumni Connection program that connected freshman and sophomores with mentors from the University's alumni extension, while students received professional development coaching from the career services office. As a manager of the program, I managed the satisfactory surveys, curriculum decisions, and created the program structure.
Capstone Paper
Thesis Paper Intro
Summer Session Close Note To Student
Part 2: Learning Your First Job
Faculty Letter
Faculty Opening Meeting