@NASPATWEETS#NASPA17
Balancing Act: Straddling the Fence of Academic and Student Affairs While Advising Student‐Athletes
Louise Torgerson, Ed.M. California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo Mustang Success Center – Academic Advisor
Program OutlineLearning OutcomesSupporting ResearchCal Poly Student‐Athlete Services and Partnerships
George D. Kuh’s Model for Developing a Seamless Environment
Benefits/Challenges/OpportunitiesReflection + Application + Discussion
Learning Outcomes Participants will gain an understanding of the
importance of collaboration between Student and Academic Affairs, by learning about the framework of George D. Kuh’s Model for Developing a Seamless Environment and supporting research
Participants will be able to identify at least 2 benefits, challenges and opportunities for collaboration on their own campus
(The definition of collaboration that will be used for this presentation is: “individuals and groups working together toward a common purpose, with equal voice and responsibility” (Kezar, 2003).)
Photo credit: Meme Generator, 2017
Relationship to NASPACollaboration between Student and Academic Affairs offer BIG opportunities for higher education practitioners to focus on student learning, engagement and success with INTEGRITY, while considering INNOVATIVEways to continue to evolve in today’s ever‐changing landscape of higher education and maintaining a focus on an INCLUSIVEenvironment for students will allow for such success.
Supporting Research “A whole new mindset is needed to capitalize on the
interrelatedness of the in‐and out‐of‐class influences on student learning and the functional interconnectedness of academic and student affairs divisions” Terenzini and Pacarella (1994).
“Collaborations among faculty, academic affairs units, and student affairs units and staff are associated with higher levels of student engagement” (Nesheim, et. Al 2007).
“Students benefit from many and varied experiences during college and learning and personal development are cumulative, mutually shaping processes” (ACPA, 1994).
American Council on Education
ACE Roundtable: The Student‐Athlete, Academic Integrity, and Intercollegiate Athletics ‐ Best Practices (2016): Broaden the base of engagement in athletics programs
Establish strong relationships, open communication, and a better understanding of student‐athlete experiences
Increase engagement in athletics programs and student‐athletes to remove the barriers that our silos create
National Assoc. of Academic Advisors for Athletics
N4A’s Best Practices for Student‐Athlete Success– Recommendations (2014): Ongoing collaboration with campus units to educate student‐athletes on academic opportunities
Efforts to facilitate communication between academic support personnel and campus advisors
Efforts to connect student‐athletes with major and college advisors regularly
Outreach efforts with campus career services for connections between major selection and career objectives/job placement
About Cal Poly 1 of 23 California State University’s ~21,000 total enrollment Highly selective and academically rigorous Learn by Doing philosophy
NCAA Division I, Big West Conference, Football Championship Division
~550 student‐athletes on 21 teams Athletic Department reports to
Student Affairs Athletic Academic Advisors report to
Mustang Success Center/University Advising/Academic Affairs
Photo credit: Cal Poly, Extended Education, 2017Photo credit: Cal Poly, Extended Education, 2017
Cal Poly Partnerships
Academic Affairs
• College Advising Centers• Academic Departments/Deans & Faculty
• Office of the Registrar/Evaluations Unit
• Admissions Office• Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology
• Graduate Education
Student Affairs
• Athletic Department• Dean of Students• Campus Health & Wellbeing• New Student Transition Programs• Career Services• Center for Leadership• Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Cross Cultural Centers• Disability Resource Center
Cal Poly Student‐Athlete Services
Academic Advising & Support
Freshmen Seminar Course
+
Transfer Workshops
Career Development Program
Peer Tutor Program
Academic Coaching Program
Academic Convocation & Orientation Presentations
Faculty/ Academic Dept.
Relationship Building
Visit http://gopoly.com/inside_athletics/student_services/Student‐Athlete_Academic_Services for more on our programs
George D. Kuh’s Model
The Model for Developing a Seamless Environment:
A framework to enhance collaboration
Focuses on values and beliefs
Draws upon cultural and human relation theories
Offers six principles to guide institutions to further integrate curricular and extra‐curricular
Common element amongst the six principles: Altering values via institution‐wide dialogue
Kezar, 2003, Kuh, 1996
Kuh’s Model – Six Principles
Generate enthusiasm for institutional renewal
Create a common vision of learning
Develop a common language
Foster collaboration and cross functional dialogue
Examine the influence of student cultures on student learning
Focus on systematic change
Kuh, 1996
Cal Poly Benefits – Kuh’s Principles
Enthusiasm for institutional renewal (leadership, programs)
Common vision of learning (Learn by Doing philosophy)
Common language (The Mustang Way)
Collaboration and cross‐functional dialogue (excitement for partnerships)
Influence of student cultures on student learning (unique student populations)
Focus on systematic change (advocates for culture change)
Photo credit: Cal Poly, Extended Education, 2017
Cal Poly Benefits, Cont.
Additional Benefits:
Maximize on limited staff/resources/expertise areas to facilitate programs for student‐athlete integration
The Mustang Way has united our campus
Consideration of the holistic student experience
Photo credit: Cal Poly, Visiting International Students Invited To Cal Poly, 2017)
Cal Poly Challenges + Opportunities
Challenges Uniqueness of the quarter system; demands/impact on
students and faculty/staff Change takes time!
Opportunities Continuously enhance
existing relationships/be open to new collaborations
Mustang Success Center/University Advising can be a change agent for breaking down our silos
Student‐athlete orientation/onboarding
Photo credit: Cal Poly, Extended Education, 2017
Discussion + Application How can Kuh’s Model be applied to
your work at your institution?
How is your office/department already effectively collaborating across divisions/areas on campus?
Where do collaboration opportunities present themselves between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs that can improve your campus to ultimately achieve student success?
Identify 2 benefits, challenges and opportunities for collaboration on your campus.
Photo credit: Meme Generator
Kuh’s Model – Six Principles
Generate enthusiasm for institutional renewal
Create a common vision of learning
Develop a common language
Foster collaboration and cross functional dialogue
Examine the influence of student cultures on student learning
Focus on systematic change
Kuh, 1996
ReferencesAmerican Council on Education. (2016). The student‐athlete, academic integrity, and intercollegiate athletics.Washington, DC: ACE.
American College Personnel Association (ACPA). (1994). The student learning imperative: Implications for student affairs. Washington, DC.
Cal Poly, Extended Education. (2017, March 2). Cal Poly Extended Education. Retrieved from http://www.extended.calpoly.edu/about/index.html
Cal Poly, University Marketing. (2017, March 1). Cal Poly, University Marketing. Retrieved from https://calpoly.photoshelter.com/
Cal Poly, Visiting International Students Invited To Cal Poly. (2017, March 2). Cal Poly, Visiting International Students Invited To Cal Poly. Retrieved from http://visit.calpoly.edu/studentlife.html
Kezar, A. (2003). Enhancing innovative partnerships: Creating a change model for academic and student affairs collaboration. Innovative Higher Education, 28(2), 137‐156.
Kuh, G. D. (1996). Guiding principles for creating seamless learning environments for undergraduates. Journal of College Student Development, 37(2), 135‐148.
National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics. (2016, August 25). N4A. Retrieved from N4A best practices for promoting and maintaining a culture of student‐athlete success, accountability, and academic integrity: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nacda/sports/nfoura/auto_pdf/2013‐14/misc_non_event/N4AAcademicIntegrity.pdf
Nesheim, B.E., Guentzel, M.J., Kellog, A.H., McDonald, W.M., Wells, C.A., & Whitt, E.J. (2007) Outcomes for students of student affairs‐academic affairs partnership programs. Journal of College Student Development, 48(4), 435‐454.
Meme Generator. (2017, March 1). Meme Generator. Retrieved from https://memegenerator.net
Terenzini, P. T, & Pascarella, E. T. (1994). Living with myths: Undergraduate education in America. Change, 26(1), 28‐32.
Thank you!Louise Torgerson
Questions?
Photo credit: Cal Poly, Extended Education, 2017
Photo credit: Meme Generator
