Title III

Data-Informed Decisions in Student Services

 

Did you know that interactions with student services impact learning outcomes? A student’s college experience starts the moment they apply for enrollment and is further enhanced by the interaction with counseling, assessment, financial aid, and others. Students rely on these services to continue their study, and these interactions influence their learning experiences. Close to a quarter of the reasons students leave college are related to counseling, admissions and registration, and financial aid issues (Luan, Jing. “Pragmatic Assessment of Student Services in Community Colleges” ijournal: Insight into Student Services, No. 4, March 2003).

 

As part of the program review process at CR, Student Services managers engaged the IR Department in administering a series of surveys. Over a two-week period in February 2007, IR’s Temporary Survey Manager, Adrian Chevraux-Fitzhugh, conducted a survey research study of 873 students across the district to assess student satisfaction with various student services programs. In May 2007, the IR Department conducted a preliminary survey of 243 students to assess the scheduling needs and preferences of CR students. In collaboration with IR, Student Services is administering a survey to entering students to assess the preparedness and needs of incoming students. 

 

The data that was obtained through the completed surveys was immediately recognized to be useful in conducting planning and making other decisions in the area of Student Services. The survey data will be used to inform the ongoing program review process, but the Student Services Division was able to take some immediate steps to address items that were identified in the survey.

 

In Admissions and Records, for example, a process to maintain uniform, supportive student contact was implemented to improve the level of satisfaction students have with the information provided by the Admissions Office. The new process includes a welcome letter, a new brochure, a follow-up welcome letter including a new orientation booklet, a “WebAdvisor Awareness” postcard, and a third follow-up letter from the Athletic Director with complimentary tickets to the college’s first home football game.

 

In the Counseling and Advising Department, survey results indicating some dissatisfaction with advisors’ knowledge about the transfer process and career opportunities led to a decision to provide in-service trainings to counseling and advising staff. Survey results indicating that only 56% of students are familiar with the policies of student discipline led the Judicial Affairs Department to develop and disseminate student conduct publications.