Motlow State Community College
Action Plan & Outcome Assessment Report for Institutional Effectiveness
Planning Year: July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
Assessing Year: July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011
Unit: Smyrna Center
Related Strategic Goal:
2.1 Enhance student persistence to completion of post-secondary credential or degree.
Action Plan #: SMST-02
Action Plan Title: Evaluation of Academic and Financial Advising Process
Desired Outcome: Current academic and financial advising processes and procedures, including
application and orientation, will be evaluated to assist in identifying areas in need of improvement in
order to increase student retention and successful completion of post-secondary credentials and/or
degrees.
Description of Action Plan and Related Activities: Smyrna Center staff (Student Services, Financial Aid,
Director and Administrative Assistant) will collect and analyze information from the Fall 2010, Spring
2011, and Fall 2011 semesters in order to assess the effectiveness of current application, orientation,
and advising processes. This will also include clarification from administration regarding the role of full
time faculty as it pertains to student advising:
1) When are full time faculty expected to report back to work each semester and be available for
advising?
2) How many hours should each faculty member be expected to advise?
Results from the assessment, along with corresponding recommendations, will be made available to all
Department Heads, Dr. May, Regina Burton, and Dr. Copenhaver.
Team Members: Smyrna Center Staff
Timeline: December 1, 2011
Est. Cost: $ No additional cost will be
incurred.
Budgeted: Included in current budget
Evidence of Success: Data will be collected and reviewed after the startup of the Fall 2010, Spring 2011,
and Fall 2011 semesters. This data will include (but not limited to) total number of students advised for
each semester both academically and/or financially, number of faculty and staff advising, individual
advising hours per faculty/staff member as well as total advising hours for the Smyrna Center.
Complete the following when assessing a plan
Current Status: On Schedule
Describe Progress:
Fall 2011
From fall 2010 until fall 2011, one thousand nine hundred and twenty five (1925) students were seen for
academic advising purposes at the Smyrna Center. For that same time period, three thousand five
hundred ten (3510) students were seen for financial aid advising. Fifteen faculty/staff provided
academic advising services for fall 2010 and nineteen for spring 2011. Donna Dunaway, Assistant
Director of Financial Aid, provided all FA advising services for the Smyrna Center.
Additionally during summer 2011, the college implemented a new structure /system in regard to
orientation for incoming students. Initial feedback from students who participated in the orientation
sessions has been positive.
Describe Needed Changes:
Beginning fall 2011, two additional permanent part time advisor positions were created at the Smyrna
Center to assist in alleviating the additional advising time Smyrna faculty had previously been required
to perform. It is anticipated this will address and successfully resolve points (1) and (2) under
“Description Plan and Related Activities”. New student orientation sessions are continuing to be
reevaluated through the Motlow College Student Success Center and committee.
List of Supporting Documentation:
Smyrna Advising Record Sheets, Student Satisfaction Survey
Date Last Updated:
December , 2011