Academic Advising
Academic Advising provides the following for all students taking credit courses who are non-concurrent:
- Developing academic plans and goals
- Course planning for registration
- To learn more about transfer options
- Creating academic plan for financial aid
Available locations: main campus and Coralville Regional Center
Available modalities: in-person, phone, virtual call
Rubric for Evaluation
Rating Scale:
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- 3 – Excellent. This resource goes above and beyond in this area.
- 2 – Adequate. Efforts are being made but more could be done to make it more accessible.
- 1 – Insufficient. This resource is not accessible in this way.
- N/A – not applicable for this resource.
| Current Use/Reflection | Notes |
| Who is the target audience for this resource? | Majority is for currently enrolled students – that is who is targeted for any resources Note: All the advisors were centralized August 2022, and efforts are continuing to be made to address many of the challenges and issues below. They have done a good job in the time that they have, and there are many more opportunities for improvement and growth. |
| What are the services being offered by the resource? | Advisors role is to advise on class, help with pathway, regular touch points with students throughout the semester, and provide connections to resources. |
| Are there known barriers or stigma that may prevent students from accessing the resource? | Response of the advisor may feed into why a student doesn’t reach back out.
Students are not required to meet with their advisor, so some students will choose not to. Timeliness of response to a student’s need – email their advisor about a concern on the weekend, but then can’t meet until Monday, and then needing to connect with other resources such as counseling but can’t get in for another week. Students needing/wanting an immediate response and information to address issues. Student Success Hold – looking at implementing in the future. Some advisors don’t have a private space because they are in cubicles, so they don’t want to talk with their advisor about personal concerns. |
| Is there any data available regarding student perceptions/use of this resource? | Yes, Multiple – see below.
New case management resource coming that will give a snapshot of a student’s current areas of needs, and allow for advisors to connect with the students to provide support. |
| Rating | Notes | |
| Physical Accessibility | ||
| Is the physical location accessible to the student population it serves? | 2 | Physical space is accessible – concern with wheelchair accessibility and privacy concern. |
| Are the resource’s visual images adequate in clearly communicating services, etc.? | 1 | No – not visible and not enough |
| Wayfinding signage leading to the resource is visible, high contrast, and easy to identify. | 1 | A lot of students are asking where/how to get to the advising center. |
| Scheduling/Time Accessibility | ||
| Do the resource hours and timing of programming meet student needs? | 1 | No – Crisis Line, or help@kirkwood.edu
High Traffic Hours: Over the past year, Thursdays are the highest traffic day, Wednesday, Tuesday then Monday. 10 am – 2:00pm |
| Does the resource offer an on-demand option for face-to-face and online students? | 2 | Walk in and get access right away – may not be with assigned advisor. But if they walk in and needs help they will get help.
Online is a little different, but there are remote options available for students to meet with their advisor |
| Do students have the ability to easily self-schedule at a time convenient for them? | 3 | Calendly – students can self schedule
Can Call in or stop in Services are also available at KRCUI |
| Digital Accessibility | ||
| Are available online resources easy to locate and user-friendly? | 1 | Need to continue to build website – in process with Marketing
Don’t feel website is the best because they feel like students would use more a chat bot |
| Are necessary print resources available in digital formats? | 2 | Unsure. |
| Collaboration Support | ||
| Does the resource help students communicate, collaborate, work, or share information about academic content? | N/A | Do best at orientation to connect student to student
Have events hosted in the advising center (pizza parties, etc.) Advisors available Puppies and Popcorn |
| Multilingual Accessibility | ||
| Does the resource currently provide or have access to translation tools or reference materials in commonly spoken languages by Kirkwood ELLs? | 1 | This does not apply to discipline specific materials. Is the resource information available in multiple languages?
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| Does the resource use clear language and avoid jargon? | 2 | Try hard to eliminate language and jargon that can be confusing
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| Feedback | ||
| Is there a system in place for students and staff to provide feedback on services? | 3 | Yes, students – Calendly data and personal supports data
Survey data from student experience post appointment Question: What resources did advisors share with you today? (On the option post-appointment survey) Staff feedback: Case Notes can do a thematic pull of case notes to see what advisors are documenting students are reporting to their instructor. |
| Is there a process for periodic reviews of the resource and ongoing improvement? | 3 | Directory reviews data on a regular basis in order to get trends.
Advisor Survey – Feedback Friday: Once a month advisors receive feedback from the student surveys Plan moving forward is to align advisors goals with the priorities in place. |
| Inclusivity | ||
| Does the resource actively engage with traditionally underserved populations? | 2 | How does the resource make an effort to engage with students of underserved populations? This may include students with disabilities, students of color, international students, low income, students with children, students who identify as LGTBQ, etc. |
| Does the resource take measures to ensure traditionally underserved populations feel welcome? | 2 | How does the resource ensure the environment is welcoming to underserved populations? |
| Are there events and activities that promote inclusivity? | 2 | Events that are created are intended for all students (For example Puppies and Popcorn)
Would like to do more with other groups on campus. |
| Are staff trained in cultural competence and inclusivity? | 3 | Yes, regular on-going training – Unconscious bias, Student Success teams, Student Assistance, Accommodations, Mental Health Training, Working with Global Learning and TRIO SSS ESL programs and taking advantage of all the training available to holistically support students. |
| Communication/Marketing | ||
| Which channels of communication are used to share services/programs | 3 | Email, Website, MyHub Talon |
| Is there a proactive strategy in place to ensure students and faculty are aware of resource materials/events/opportunities? | 2 | Yes and No, have a communication team that is trying to hone in on being proactive. Determining how to get information out.
Advisors attend department meetings Crucial moments in the semester, talon messages are put out for students Flyers and marketing is available to be put up. |
| Does the resource market itself to students appropriately? | 2 | As best that they can – need to do better with marketing. |