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!