Region 2 Poster Sneak Peek (Part One)!

Here is a sneak peek of the poster presentations you will see at this year’s Region 2 Conference in AC! For those attending, don’t forget to vote for your favorite on Thursday, March 14th. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 15th during the closing session.

A Second CHANCE CARD for Students on Dismissal
Kate Gonzalez
Rowan College at Burlington County

Abstract: Despite a desire to increase college retention and graduation rates throughout the country, numbers have overall remained stagnant. When you add academically failing students to this equation, retention rates drop even lower. During the Fall 2017 term, Rowan College at Burlington County piloted the Academic Contract for Excellence (ACE) Program. This program was designed as a “second chance” for students that were to be dismissed from the college. By the end of the semester, 72% of the students enrolled in the ACE Program completed all required interventions, and finished the term with a 2.0 or higher semester GPA! During this presentation, specific advising interventions will be discussed, and attendees will complete a few activities utilized with students in the ACE workshop.

Adult Learners, A Closer Look
Ruth Herstek
Penn State University

Abstract: A recent Chronicle of Higher Education report stated that 80 million people ages 25-65 have graduated from high school, but have not obtained a college degree. With the ever declining high school graduation rates, these are the students of the future for many campuses across the state of Pennsylvania. Adult learners are unique and at high-risk for underachievement and stopping out. An online survey was designed and conducted to assess pedagogical techniques and better understand perceived barriers for persistence. Lack of flexibility in course selection, balance work/life/school demands, and chronological age were listed as barriers by participating students. We must be more proactive in our efforts to maximize retention and better serve this population. This study may offer more insight.




An Evaluation of a Peer Mentorship Program
Madeline Goldman
Virginia Commonwealth University

Abstract: This study evaluated the Graduate School Mentorship Program (GSMP) that was developed at a large university using a CIPP Model. We measured outcomes and interpreted their significance. More specifically, this study sought to 1. Describe the students’ experience in the GSMP and 2. Describe the students’ satisfaction in the mentoring. There are four evaluation questions (a) Does the mentoring experience meet the needs of the undergraduate mentees? (b) What impact did the mentoring have on the undergraduate students? (c) Are mentors developing mentoring skills ? (d) Do mentees feel more connected to the university? This study is important for those who want evaluate their own programs as well as those who want to learn more about graduate students and peer mentoring programs.





Critiquing Our Role in Student Success: Using Quantitative and Qualitative Inquiry Methods to Assess Our Advising
Mark Chimel
Salisbury University

Abstract: We commonly use the model of “Teaching as Advising”, but how can we better incorporate the scholarship of teaching in this model? Drawing on widely-regarded practitioner inquiry texts, such as Inquiry as Stance, advisors can use their own professional context as sites of inquiry. The knowledge gained from these studies can be used to improve their own advising methods, and can be also be publicly disseminated as best practices to improve the entire field of advising. This presentation will take attendees through the process of practitioner inquiry and give space to determine their own problems of practice that could be used as subjects of inquiry.

Enhancing the Virtual Student Experience
Whitney Milhouse & Kelly Carr
The George Washington University

Abstract: One of the most difficult aspects of advising online students is creating a connection that allows students to feel as though they are a part of the university despite their distance. What better way to know what a student is missing from their learning experience than to ask the students themselves? Our team surveyed approximately 700 students to find out what they felt was missing from their virtual experience at GWU. We took this feedback and began implementing many of the suggestions to enhance the connection between the university and online student experience.