Advising and Mentoring: Establish a campus-wide advising and mentoring program that is
more formalized, comprehensive, and visionary in meeting the needs of firstyear and transfer students.
Relevance to strategic plan
(Goal I, Objective 1) Pursue initiatives that promote student retention and graduation,
competitive with our aspirant institutions.
(Goal I, Objective 2) Improve the range and quality of student-faculty interactions.
(Goal I, Objective 5) Improve experiences for students during initial entry into campus
life and at crucial junctures in their education.
(Goal I, Objective 6) Improve our transfer student transition, experience and
achievement.
(Goal I, Objective 10) Provide outstanding student recruitment, academic and support
programs that advance the university’s prestige and impact as an
institution of higher education on the national stage.
Expected outcomes
 Strengthened connection and interaction between faculty/staff and students
 Increased retention and graduation rates
 Students are more academically motivated and connected to the institution
 Students are better prepared to contribute to their professions and communities
Current evidence
Extensive research supports the benefits of faculty-student interaction outside of
the classroom, including enhanced student persistence, degree completion and
educational aspirations.
Possible action steps
 Conduct a systematic SWOT analysis of current efforts to support students in
registration, academic advising, personal support and mentoring.
 Determine the capacity for willing and effective volunteer mentors.
 Develop an early warning system, possibly to include attendance, mandated
grading before the drop/add period, and reports of mid-semester grades.
 Require Freshman Seminar (UNI 101) for all first-year students, as specified in the
University Studies program.
 Continue support for such successful mentoring initiatives as the Freshman
Seminar, Seahawk Link program, Minority Mentor program and Living Learning
Communities.
 Provide additional targeted advising and mentoring to students at risk.
 Increase collaboration and communication between University College, Housing
and Residence Life, other Student Support Services and academic departments.
 Enhance training for faculty and staff on effective advising and mentoring.

Conduct a comprehensive review of best practices across the UNC system (and
across the country) in mentoring and retention initiatives.
Brand this initiative (e.g., “Supporting Seahawks”) and communicate that it transcends mere
tracking and monitoring by engaging professional and personal guidance.