CREATING A MILITARY FRIENDLY ADVISING

CENTER

Did Collaboration in the Military Support Committee Lead to

Transformations in the Academic Advising Center?

About UsDonna Stacey, M.Ed.▪ US Army, Retired ▪ Serves veterans as leader in The American Legion ▪ Ran successful sporting goods business ▪ Worked as HR Manager in hospitality field ▪ Continues to share professional experiences with CSU students

Sonya Kopp, M.Ed.▪ Former ESL Teacher (Czech Republic, Spain, and US) ▪ Experience as Corporate Communications Director ▪ Experienced classroom teacher (HS, college, and adult learners) ▪ Academic Advisor at CSU since 2010 ▪ Passionate about 1st Generation College Students/Rural Education

CSU Mission

Columbia Southern University provides diverse learning experiences and affordable, flexible distance education

programs at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to a global student body, delivered by qualified,

student-centered faculty committed to teaching and student learning. The University is dedicated to providing

exceptional academic and student support services.

CSU Overview

CSU students are classified as adult learners – average age 41

Includes 3 colleges: College of Arts and Sciences College of Business College of Safety and Emergency Services

Programs delivered online

Accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

Enrollment Options Per Course: 10 weeks in length

– designed with student flexibility in mind – completed through independent study – can begin course at any time– students using military Tuition Assistance, corporate reimbursement, and self-pay

Term: 8 weeks in length– set start and end dates coinciding with Academic Term Calendar – requires weekly interaction through discussion board postings– weekly assignments– required for students using financial aid and veteran benefits.

Flexible Term: 8 weeks in length– set start and end dates coinciding with Academic Term Calendar– completed through flexible study with attendance verification– only available to students using veteran benefits

Academic Advising Center Mission

The Academic Advising Center at Columbia Southern University engages students

through personal and purposeful advising strategies, focusing on student success with timely, accurate, and professional service.

Academic Advising Center Overview

Division by colleges:– College of Arts and Sciences – 3 advisors– College of Business – 20 advisors (including 2 Sr. AAs)– College of Safety and Emergency Services – 17 advisors (including 1 Sr. AA)

Director, Asst. Director, 3 Team Managers (one per college), Training Coordinator, Training Assistant

Average student to advisor ratio: 1,000/1– Goal: 800/1

Primary advising tools: phone, email, chat, Degree Advisement Plan, Comprehensive Degree Report, myCSU Student Portal, Contact Management System, Blackboard

Current proactive initiatives: Initial Advising Session, Continuous Enrollment Initiative, Students Struggling, Unsuccessful Course Completion

Military Affiliated Student Population

46%54%

Percentage of Military and Non-Military Students Who Took a Course between 01/01/2014 and 06/30/2014

Military Not Military

29%

23%1%

29%

17%

Percentage of Military Student FundingGoArmyEd Tuition Assistance myCAA VA Benefits FA

Military Affiliated Student Population

Military Affiliations

GoArmyEd (GAE) Service members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-

ABC) Academic Institution of the Air Force (AI Portal)

Military Support Committee (MSC)

Members include staff, faculty, provost’s and president’s council members.

Members are primarily former service members from all military branches with various levels of military service represented.

Initiated in March 2013 Purpose to increase awareness with the university and

bridge the gap between military/veteran students and CSU staff and faculty.

Military Support Committee Actions

Evaluated institution against DOD’s Military Friendly Institution Requirements

Designated staff members in each department (military support group) to serve as contact for the military/veteran student

Developed Military Statement of Service and placed on website

Established a phone number and email address dedicated to service members and veterans

Military Support Committee Actions

Reviewed all policies and procedures to improve services to military and veteran students

Established Military 101 Training and trained all departments

Increases awareness with faculty and staff to the uniqueness of military students for decision making considerations

Recognizes veterans and active duty on CSU faculty and staff during patriotic holidays

Military Support Committee Actions

Set up and participated in 2-day VITAL (Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership) training conducted by VA– Enhanced academic retention and success of military

students– Cultivated awareness of PTSD and TBI– Educated staff and faculty about military and veteran

culture

CSU Military Friendly Policies

Military Statement of Service VA flexible term enrollment option VA flex payment option Graduate level tuition capped at DOD max for active

duty/military TA Red/White/Blue honor cords for military graduates Streamlined final grade reporting for military portals Free book shipment to APO addresses

Incomplete for Special Circumstances Withdrawal for Special Circumstances AAS for BS Degree Seeking Students program Course Load Waiver policy Per Course enrollment option Course incomplete Maximization of transfer credits Obtain official transcripts at no charge to students including Joint

Services Transcript (JST)

CSU Military Friendly Policies

Advising Military/Veteran Students

“…advisor understanding of student-veterans, proves critical because advisors will likely have increased contact with the student-veteran population compared to other institutional representatives” (Ryan et al, 2011, p. 56)

“Military academic advising is not just transcripts and unfamiliar military terms… Advisors should be proactive and encouraging, giving military students solid and consistent advisement about the many avenues to earn college-level credit” (Dean, 2004)

“…[military student] patience can be worn thin if they find that their chosen college or university is more bureaucracy driven than even the military” (Keenan, 2009)

What Did They Say?

My name is SSG Austin, and I am in the middle of a PCS from my current duty station here in Twenty-Nine Palms to Camp Lejeune. Upon arrival, I will be going on deployment. If I choose to use Chap. 33 rather than TA, how long will it take for me to start receiving BAH?

I am a SrA stationed at Kadena ABS. I recently went on TDY to the ROK and while I was there I decided to re-enlist. When I signed the paperwork, my CO recommended I get a B.A. in my next enlistment. I already finished my CCAF, so now I want to pursue your B.S.B.A. degree. My AFSC has a lot of training, and I want to know if the credits will transfer. I will request transcripts from AU at Maxwell AFB.

One academic advisor on MSC and 5 assigned to Military Support Group

All members of Military Support Group participated in VITAL training

All advisors received Military 101 training Military students assigned to advisors by college/degree

program

CSU Military Friendly Advising

Phone/email services due to limited phone and internet access (overseas/deployed)

Expedite enrollment and book shipment to overseas locations CLEP/DSST/DANTES information for transfer Knowledgeable about DOD courses for graduate student

transfer Review JST for most up-to-date credit Course Load Waiver ACE evaluated credit

Advising Assistance – Active Duty

Academic Advising - Veterans

Offer VA Flex Enrollment to students using VA Offer Flex pay option to VA students CLEP/DSST Info Recommend proctor services on base/post – transitioning Familiar with VA benefits and payments, paperwork requirements,

etc. Approve parent letters for course transfers Course Load Waiver Policy and term flexibility Office of Disability Services

“I try to explain things thoroughly and slowly to [military/veteran students]. They sometimes feel intimidated due to age/first time student.”

“…typically request [me] to walk student through Blackboard and/or student portal…”

“Military students may require special accommodations when overseas…”

“If a student is going to get deployed then I usually suggest they wait until they get to their new post before enrolling into more courses.”

Military Advising at CSU

“I find myself advising them as I would any other student.”

“I think that CSU’s general flexibility and the fact that we have phone rotations and don’t have to set up an appointment works well for [military students].”

“Our academic advising center works well because of the knowledge that we have about all areas of CSU and how to get things done quickly.”

Military Advising at CSU

CSU’s exemplary customer service and flexible policies create

academic advising that is equal for all students – regardless of

affiliation.

Military Advising at CSU

Awareness and sensitivity are key to making adjustments when

needed no matter the situation or student.

Military Advising at CSU

References

Ryan, Shawn W., Carlstrom, Aaron H., Hugher, Kenneth F., & Harris, Brandonn S. (2011). From Boots to Books: Applying Schlossberg’s Model to Transitioning American Veterans. NACADA Journal Volume 31(1), pp. 55-63.

Dean, Kevin K. (2004). Military Academic Advising. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/old/articles/040714kd.htm.

Keenan, Lisa. (2009). Making a Difference to the Military Student. Academic Advising Today, 32:2. http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Making-a-Difference-to-the-Military-Student.aspx.

Questions

Contact Information

Donna Stacey, M.Ed. donna.Stacey@columbiasouthern.edu 800.977.8449, ext. 1462

Sonya Kopp, M.Ed. sonya.kopp@columbiasouthern.edu 800.977.8449, ext. 1221