Did what I find meet my expectations?

I was surprised that there were no more welcoming signs or welcoming material throughout the college. And when signage WAS for a student, it was framed in a negative way.

The New Student Center did have a bulletin board decorated with an interesting timeline on what to do at different stages. This would be great to have for all to see (maybe it does exist). On the college website material seems to be there (Welcome, Admission, Steps to follow, etc)

One objective I will include in my department plan is…

For COMD to be known for a welcoming atmosphere for all. This will include signs that are more positive rather than just instructional.

What story is told through our collective photos/ screenshots…

I think there are good messages throughout, but there seems to lack of uniformity.  Perhaps a more uniform way-finding system will help students (even on TVS)

Namm bldg, 1st fl. Wayfinding to New Student Center

Welcome sign for counseling office

L Bldg, ground floor.

Academic Bldg, and most TVs in Namm

Advising Website

welcome page

path to graduation

advising degree checklist

advising resourses

Did what I find meet my expectations?

Walking through different departments, we were pleased by the amount of information posted for students. There are aspects to improve and challenges to overcome. As something to improve, the language we use to approach students could be written in a more positive way (as we discussed in our meetings), but the limitations of space where we are allowed to post signs is a challenge that makes the communication with students harder.

 One objective I will include in my department’s advising plan is…

Improve the advertising that the department currently uses to make clearer when the advisement period is taking place. We will stress to all faculty to announce in every classroom when advisement period begins.

 What story is told through our collective photos/screenshots?

Our photos and screenshots show the efforts and imaginative ways that faculty and departments try to use to remind and invite students to take advantage of everything that advisement can offer to them.

Poster in front of the New Student Center showing steps students must take for academic success. It is originally represented as a staircase.

Pearl Building. Communication Design. The sign highlights a positive message to assist students “We are here to help you!”

Sign posted in the Hospitality Management Department reminding students why and how to take advantage of advisement

CST Department advertising advisement and office hours schedule to students.

A welcome to students

Information about PDC, Service Corps, financial aid

Information about counseling

Department Identifier

Did what you find meet your standards?

…

What advisement goals will you set for your department?

Every student is assigned by a full-time faculty as an academic advisor and encouraged to have an advisement at least once per semester to get them on the right track. And we will help them figure out their problems and not have them happened again.

One thing I will improve about my department’s advisement plan is…

I will be exposed to our students when students need such as 24/7.

What story is told through your collective photos?

It was impressed when I saw all facilities and decorations in another department. They have their own styles and ways to take care of their students and provide them with all kinds of information.

Signage upon entering Vorhees is welcoming and immediately gives clear concise direction.

Students have open space to gather and relax.

Digital monitors provide information on job trends and possible career tracks.

Student work is proudly displayed in the halls.

Did what you find meet your standards?

Vorhees signage was consistent and visible throughout the building. There were spaces for relaxing and gathering, learning, collaborating, and meeting with professors. Advisors were listed for each student in one department and all faculty offices visibly displayed faculty names.

What advisement goals will you set for your department?

A key goal is to make available a central listing of support services and college programs that are intended to improve student success along with their eligibility requirements, if necessary.

Another goal, is to communicate to students the importance of their career planners and require them to fill them in for advisement sessions with faculty.

A third goal, inspired by the Vorhees building, is to create and display coherent and visible signage that engages students, as a way to provide direction and pertinent information for locating resources within our department.

One thing I will improve about my department’s advisement plan is…

As our department grows, new opportunities are arising to engage faculty and students in the advisement process. We are looking to develop a new advisement plan to suit a diverse student body (e.g., first-year freshmen, transfers, third-year City Tech students, part-time as well as full-time students, full-time workers, to name a few characteristics) in both associate and baccaluareate-level programs.

What story is told through your collective photos?

The collective photos indicate a move towards improving wayfinding within the college’s physical spaces and an attempt to create community through student and faculty shared spaces, displaying student projects, and providing information on advisors, courses, careers, and college programs such as ASAP.

Did what you find meet your standards?
It had been several years since I had visited Voorhees Hall. I was impressed at the cohesiveness of signage both in the common areas and at each department.

What advisement goals will you set for your department?
Our first goal should be to improve communication with our students. Beyond emails and posters, a standard message should be delivered in every class regarding advisement including:

• how to choose or identify an adviser
•  what advisement tools are available and how to access and utilize them
•  the purpose of academic planning and advisement

One thing I will improve about my department’s advisement plan is…to separate the “advisement process” into two objectives:

1. Course selection and registration
2. Career planning and mentoring

Did what you find meet your standards?

Our standards have not been set and this exercised offered a new perspective in seeing our various department hallways. Searching for specific parts highlighted what is existing and how current students see the various signage.

What advisement goals will you set for your department?

Working with my colleague we will review what we have and seek to improve or enhance. There is a lot of good work that happens, but perhaps there is something new or additional we can add to further aid in student persistence and retention.

What story is told through your collective photos?

The collective photos illustrate the many ways departments are providing valuable information to the end users (students). Each area showed creativity and attention to detail in curating department stories. Clearly there is a lot of caring faculty working to support students.

For the scavenger hunt, we started out in Voorhees and I can say that the branding and signage is very good compared to the other buildings. However, it would be more beneficial if all of the buildings carried the same branding.

I used to wonder how students managed to “miss” advisement. During advisement, we put up a lot of signs but I can see now, that is just another piece of paper on the wall. To answer the question about, How widely known are the benefits of seeing an advisor? Who are we communicating this to and at what time/place? I would say that we are not doing a very good job identifying the Value of advisement.  I talk to my students in my class about it and during orientation but what about the students who don’t hear about it?

To reflect on, Did what you find meet your standards?  I can relate to students now.  I realize that we have an “expert blind spot” in advisement just as in teaching.  There is a lot more background information in our heads when we are explaining advisement options to our students.  We forget that from their point of view, it may not all make sense.

Though empty in this image, students often gather here on the 6th floor that contains a photo gallery.

I do not believe that students know what to expect from advisement and believe that this hinders the effectiveness of what can be accomplished in the short about of time we have with them. Like in the reading, my own experience with advisement is that it is most productive when the students is prepared and that usually happens only after a few meetings. I question the best method of reaching out to students. How do we meet them were they  are?

What story is told through your collective photos?

What I believe I found was  so many ways that we speak to our students about success but that is not necessarily penetrating as a uniform message. As we continue to celebrate success let’s also welcome students into an active practice of engagement in their learning process and attainment of their goals. I want to add hundreds of photos of evidence of guidance and student success the next time we meet. 

Did what you find meet your standards?

I was happy to see that Rad Tech made their advisement important materials available to students instead of behind this closed door. I believe that makes the information easily available and shows students what is important to them.

What story is told through your collective photos?Evidence of the success of Nursing Students. Sharing this success will inspire others to keep focused on their goals.

What advisement goals will you set for your department?

Greater reach, easier access, improved communication.