The reorganization of GRCC's academic advising service began in 2018 with the formation of CAP 2.2, Establish and Implement a New Model for Academic Advising, as a part of the 2018-2021 institutional Strategic Plan. Below is a summary of this CAP work, as well as other related academic advising and student service improvements, leading to our current standing and planned next steps.
Background (brief summary):
- CAP 2.2. developed the GRCC Academic Advising Curriculum framework, Supporting Students from Pathway to Academic Program Completion.
- GRCC applied for Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant in July 2019 to launch a technology platform in support of implementing recommendations from CAP 2.2 including academic advising case management, early alert, and improved data analytics to track, measure, and improve student outcomes.
- GRCC was awarded a $2.1 million Title III grant in September 2019 (grant awarded for 2019-2024).
- An RFP was issued for a Student Success management platform to support this advising model and EAB (Navigate) was selected as the vendor in 2020.
- Navigate implementation launched in Fall 2020 with a priority to configure and implement academic advising and early alert features.
- Conversation and exploration begins with CAP 3.3, Establish a Single Stop Center Connecting GRCC Students for Food, Housing, and Emergency Cash, to support their recommendations through the Navigate implementation as well.
- The EAB Navigate platform is designed to manage, track, and evaluate holistic student support systems.
- During the 2021 Winter semester, Academic Advisors are trained on the Navigate platform and academic advising configuration begins.
- The Navigate Staff module launches in February 2021 for all advising departments and the College Success Center. Functionality primarily includes appointment management and record keeping.
- The Navigate Student module launches in March 2021, including self-service appointment scheduling, intake survey, hold notification and resolution, to-do's, calendars, and a campus resource library.
- During Summer 2021, Navigate is expanded to include Tutoring and Early Alert. Academic plan templates are set up within Navigate for all GRCC degree seeking programs and all degree students are assigned to an academic advisor.
- At the start of the 2022 Winter semester, all students are messaged regarding the Navigate platform, how to access, and the various features available to support their academic progress. Our institutional predictive analytics model is finalized and data is available regarding the level of support (high, moderate, or low) each student needs to support their ongoing enrollment.
- Although planning began prior, the Provost’s reorganization of Academic and Student Affairs officially launches during the Summer 2022 semester (July 1, 2022). This reorganization included the development of four academic schools, merging of the Student Affairs and Student Success and Retention divisions, and development of a hybrid academic advising model (providing advising through a centralized department, specific support programs, as well as within the newly developed academic schools).
Current Progress and Next Steps:
- A team of Academic and Student Affairs leadership has been meeting this summer and fall to plan and implement the integration of academic advisors within the newly formed four academic schools (Liberal Arts, STEM, Business and Industry, and Health Science) as well as for students enrolled in Job Training programs.
- The remainder of the fall semester and the start of the winter semester will be devoted to:
- Introducing Academic Advisors who will be working with their new schools (Deans, AD's, Department Heads and Program Directors, etc.). These meetings will focus on building an understanding of current advising practices, specific advising and support needs for the schools and their students, and ideas to create school specific advising plans and processes.
- Hiring and filling two vacant full time Academic Advisor positions (one in Liberal Arts and one in Health Sciences). The PAF's for these positions we submitted on 10/23/23 and will post in the near future.
- Mapping out and implementing a new model for student/advisor assignments (based primarily on students' academic program declaration).
- Expansion of Navigate student progress tracking to inform advisors and other student service provides when students may need help, support, and/or intervention to continue their enrollment and complete their program.
- Standardization of core advising practices and processes (creating consistency across various advising centers) including training and documentation/troubleshooting resources.
As the Academic and Student Affairs Hybrid Advising Leadership team finalize next steps and timeline related to the above next steps, more details and updates will be provided.
