Jacob Wong, student trustee and psychology sophomore, and Chancellor Bruce Leslie discuss the advising program at St. Philip’s College Tuesday at the Student Success Committee in Killen Center. Wong and Leslie discussed the pros and cons of assigning students to advisers and how well the program worked at SPC. Photo by Jon Hernandez
District hopes to hire 47 additional advisers, chancellor says.
By Kathrine Garcia
kgarcia203@alamo.edu
An updated report on the Alamo ADVISE counseling model introduced new cohorts during the Student Success Committee Tuesday in Killen Center.
Adelina Silva, vice chancellor for student success, made the presentation.
Across the district, 156 faculty members finished level one training, 105 finished level two training, 79 finished level three training. Eight finished level one in the ability to train other advisers.
Silva said the adviser ratio goal is1-to-350. The current is 1-to-800.
The new program, which started with a cohort of 17,503 students in Fall 2014, included first-time-in-college students, disability student services, veterans and international students.
The second cohort of spring 2015 added 34,800 students.
Eventually, all of the Alamo Colleges students will receive this advising model, which also includes the addition of a faculty counselor.
Chancellor Bruce Leslie said he hopes to add 47 additional advisers across the district to meet the goal of one adviser to 350 students.
“This prevents students from piling on an adviser,” student trustee Jacob Wong said of the additional advisers.
Silva said the cohorts of students will be handled as a caseload, and students have to meet with their counselors when they register and when they’ve completed 15, 30 and 60 hours.
Advisers must know information on their students such as GPA, how many hours they’ve taken and if they’re on financial aid, Silva said.
Students will be emailed if they are not passing or if they have to meet with their advisers after completing a certain number of contact hours.
Holds will be put on their account if they do not meet certain registration requirements per semester.
District 1 trustee Joe Alderete was concerned because the holds would discourage a student from continuing the registration process.
Silva said for now, it’s up to the counselors to figure out how many holds would be discouraging.
She said she plans to find out the answers to the survey question asking incoming students what their intentions are when they register.
The question is part of a survey incoming students must answer when they apply to the Alamo Colleges through applytexas.org.
District 5 trustee Roberto Zarate suggested giving students incentives if they meet certain goals, such as completing the 15, 30 and 60 contact hours.
Silva said the goal is for the student to know the adviser and what is expected of them.
The next regular board meeting is at 6 p.m. April 28 at Killen Center.
