Next Practices

Technology helps student success professionals better understand their students and more efficiently serve their diverse needs in a rapidly changing higher ed landscape. In this episode, we explore how institutions can maximize their investment in student success solutions to help students achieve their academic goals. Today’s guest is Dr. Chelsy Pham, Vice President of Information Technology at Hartnell College. She helps us dive into the technical aspects of student success and why data is essential to help provide opportunities. She breaks down the step-by-step process of finding the right student success software and ways to get the entire campus on board. We discuss software vendor must-haves and why it is crucial to find the purpose of the program you need before shopping around. And although IT is the department that gets everything up and running, it’s ultimately the users on the frontline, so Dr. Pham demonstrates the importance of their buy-in.   Show Notes: [2:22] - Dr. Pham sees the challenges in the demands in technology and how students are changing how they use technology. [3:09] - Sometimes students do not have the opportunity to develop technology literacy prior to college. [4:32] - Dr. Pham describes ways to help students gain access to technology. [5:51] - A lot of times, students aren’t able to ask for help. Data in the background shows who may need a nudge. [7:52] - Part of the solution is to have staff available to help students, but another part is having tools in place that allow you to see who needs support. [9:00] - When looking at what tools to introduce, Dr. Pham asks what difference is this going to make and to whom? [9:57] - Look at the purpose before looking at the tool. Once you have your purpose, think about your “wishlist”. [11:06] - Sometimes we want a really slick program and thinking about ways it would work for you, look for tools that match your existing purpose. [12:24] - From Dr. Pham’s perspective, a major consideration is the amount of IT support and maintenance that would be needed. [13:41] - The most important quality of a product is the amount of support provided by the vendor. [15:14] - If you don’t have campus adoption, you don’t have a product at all. It’s crucial to get buy in ahead of time. [17:40] - You also want a probation period ahead of time and see how vendors respond to colleagues. [19:14] - Credibility is also something to consider. [20:57] - Once a product is set up and a team has come together working on it, the team becomes close and communicative. Open communication is important. [22:17] - If something isn’t working out, open communication, close the loop, and deal with it. [23:39] - Sometimes, you need to go back to a wishlist and see if the product needs to be maintained or retired. [25:04] - In IT, services are implemented, but it is really the users that are on the frontline with students. [27:06] - Don’t make it your idea. The product isn’t for IT. It’s for helping students succeed.   Links and Resources: Civitas Learning Website Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Hartnell College

Dr. Juan Gilberto Garcia, the Associate Vice President for Student Success at Texas A&M International University, shares innovative strategies to boost student engagement and graduation rates. He discusses how community events and streamlined advising processes can remove barriers preventing student success. Juan highlights the importance of early course scheduling and meaningful advisor interactions, especially for first-generation students. His focus on accessibility and tailored support aims to create a smoother transition for students returning to campus after the pandemic.

Navigating through higher education can be tough as it is, but combined with the other challenges students are facing in today’s world, it can be overwhelming. Advisors have the opportunity to play a huge role in guiding students not only to their desired academic path, but to resources they need to overcome obstacles.  Today’s guest is Leticia Wilson, Director of Advising Initiatives at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. In our conversation today, Leticia shares the high impact advising practices being implemented at Del Mar and the results they have seen. It’s no surprise that things have changed drastically in the last couple of years as institutions changed their advising strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to face challenges with the pandemic, but with the help of a team of advisors, students are able to make a human connection, receive the resources they need, and experience success. Leticia demonstrates the impact of advising certification courses, collaboration, and including student input in their strategies.   Show Notes: [2:01] - Welcome to the show, Leticia! Leticia shares her background in higher ed. [4:51] - Students experience a lot of challenges. One is that they are juggling a multitude of responsibilities. [6:04] - Times have certainly changed in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, not only in how students experience education but also the expectations of employers. [7:43] - The average age of students at Del Mar College is 24. Needs change depending on where students are in their life. [8:26] - Some students experience food insecurity and Del Mar has a food pantry to help. [9:30] - There are different types of advisors but, ultimately, when students are connected to their own person that can help them overcome challenges. [10:49] - At Del Mar, students come from all different backgrounds and several types of tutoring programs are available. [12:48] - Students are surveyed to find out about challenges they face so advisors can help guide them. Leticia shares other forms of data collection they use. [14:48] - Student government associations are also very helpful in strategizing. [16:39] - Del Mar has been using Civitas for 5 years. They began using it in phases. [18:24] - With Inspire as a tool, key indicators are allowing advisors to have real human connections. [20:01] - The Covid-19 pandemic changed communication and Civitas helped make this change quick. [23:14] - Sometimes students don’t know what to ask or are not asking questions because they’re overwhelmed. Reaching out is important at Del Mar. [26:11] - Leticia shares the purpose of an advising checklist. [27:50] - It’s important to be intentional and collaborative in interactions with students. [30:40] - Leticia describes the Pathway Model and the role of the community college in the community’s pipeline. [31:48] - Del Mar has received a grant that has given them the opportunity to hire more advisors and champions an advising certification course. [35:50] - The course was created to be sure that everyone is given the same foundational framework, but has also been helpful in collaborating across pathways. [37:28] - Advisors must be intentional with each student. Combined with reaching out and getting the student in for advising, it creates a culture of care. [38:31] - The core competencies of advising are conceptual, informational, and relational. The relational piece is crucial. [40:01] - A goal for Del Mar is to increase the number of sophomores through persistence. [41:21] - Whatever your role, lean in to your needs.   Links and Resources: Explore the Civitas Learning Student Impact Platform Download: Advising and Student Success Playbook Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Del Mar College

Introducing Next Practices. Data-informed strategies to shape the future of higher education.  From closing equity gaps to building financially stable colleges and universities, higher ed leaders face many challenges that yesterday’s practices can’t solve.  Hear how transformational higher ed leaders tackle today’s most pressing issues to make a difference for their students and institutions. In each episode, we explore how to use data-informed approaches to answer urgent questions and ways to go beyond best practices when problem-solving in today’s changing higher ed landscape.  Stay up to date with the latest in creative data-informed approaches to student success by subscribing and sharing with your colleagues!