Advising Diverse Students Both Online and On Campus with Dr. Jeffrey Taylor

Today, I am delighted to be talking with Dr. Jeffrey Taylor, from the University of Texas at Arlington. Our focus is on how this institution is effectively serving students, both in-person and online, from various parts of the country. We'll delve into the strategies employed by UT Arlington to ensure these students not only enroll in the necessary courses but also successfully navigate their academic journey towards graduation. 

Dr. Taylor provides valuable insights into the diverse student population at UT Arlington, comprising individuals with distinct needs and backgrounds. From implementing tailored online advising sessions to leveraging data analytics for smoother graduation processes, UT Arlington is at the forefront of innovative student support methodologies.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of managing a diverse student body, the challenges encountered, and the strategies employed to ensure student success. From personalized advising approaches to the integration of technology-driven solutions, we'll uncover the multifaceted efforts undertaken by UT Arlington to empower nursing students on their academic path. 

Show Notes:

[2:32] - Dr. Taylor describes what he does in his role at the University of Texas at Arlington.

[3:58] - A large portion of the student population are online students from across the county.

[5:45] - There are four types of students that come to this institution including both in-person and online students.

[7:51] - In addition to different types of programs, the demographics is also very diverse.

[9:41] - Jeffrey explains how they handle an advising team for such a diverse population with a lot of different needs.

[11:58] - In order to build a great advising team, advisors are put in the best place for them to serve students in different pathways.

[14:06] - The whole goal is to get everyone where they need to go and that includes both students and faculty.

[16:48] - If we don’t take care of our students and give them the connections they need, they will go somewhere else.

[18:40] - To meet the need of distance students beginning the program through a rolling enrollment, they created frequent online orientations and advising sessions.

[21:11] - It is possible to use data and analytics to predict questions.

[23:14] - Working with people is not an efficient process. We can give someone the things they need or want, but they may still leave the conversation feeling like something was missing.

[25:05] - Looking forward, UT at Arlington is transitioning to a case management model blended with group advising.

[27:41] - A group mechanism to support students solves a lot of potential problems.

[29:46] - How are advisors, especially online, connecting with students who might not advocate for themselves and ask for support?

[32:21] - Jeffrey describes a scenario of possible conversations you can have with students and the responsibility of the advisor.

[33:59] - Some students won’t know what to ask.

[36:30] - It is important to get everyone on board and unified behind a mission of student success. What does that look like at UT at Arlington?

[39:37] - Dr. Taylor shares how they use Civitas Learning.

[41:41] - You can’t stop at something working a little bit. You’ve got to continue pushing the envelope to find something better.

[44:04] - Even in the same institution and the same program, flexibility is crucial.

 

Links and Resources:

• Proactive Support Removes Barriers to Completion at the University of Texas at Arlington
• Civitas Learning Student Impact Platform
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