NDSU’s Student Success Collaborative is receiving high marks from advisers and students.
The collaborative is an advising platform that unites technology, predictive analytics and advising excellence to increase student retention and success. NDSU is partnering with the Education Advisory Board in the effort.
“SSC is a clear example of how digital tools can enhance and support the personal relationship that exists between advisers and students,” NDSU Provost Beth Ingram said. “This platform breaks down barriers and helps students connect with their advisers to plan their paths to success.”
A survey conducted this spring by the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis reports 78 percent of students are satisfied with the program; for advisers, the numbers total 76 percent.
The survey says 77 percent of advisers use the program to view student information, while 52 percent use it to schedule advising appointments. Other significant uses include viewing and writing advising reports, viewing degree audits, communicating with students and assessing student risk.
Ravi Kiran Yellavajjala, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, schedules meetings, archives conversations and monitors the progress of his advisees through SSC. He also sends out information on scholarship opportunities and campus activities.
“It not only packages all the information about student advisees in one place, but also provides predictive data analytics tools that help me better advise my students,” he said. “The advanced search option in SSC is an amazing feature. I use this feature to instantaneously find students who qualify for a particular scholarship opportunity or to send out alerts to at-risk students.”
Carrie Anne Platt, associate professor of communication and associate dean of undergraduate education in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, likes SSC’s appointment scheduling and advising report features.
“I use SSC to make it easier for my advisees to schedule appointments with me and to review what we talked about during their visit,” she said. “The ‘Explore a New Major’ feature also helps me connect with students who are curious about our majors, but unsure who they should talk to.”
According to the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis, 71 percent of all undergraduates have an adviser who is using SSC for appointment scheduling. Of those surveyed, 83 percent of students agree the program makes finding a time to meet with an adviser easier. In addition, 88 percent find the automated appointment reminder emails helpful.
The survey results are based on 129 completed questionnaires by faculty and staff undergraduate advisers and 122 responses from randomly selected undergraduate students.
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