Perceptions of Undergraduate Engineering Students on Academic Advising

Perceptions of Undergraduate Engineering Students on Academic Advising
Author: Abdulrahman Alsharif
Publisher:
Total Pages: 84
Release: 2020
Genre: Counseling in higher education
ISBN:

The research goal was to investigate perceptions of academic advising support system on undergraduate engineering student and to find potential pros and cons that could be improve with in the academic advising provided to engineering students. Engineering programmers have a low retention rate and cannot meet national demand. Academic advising is essential within higher education institutes. Academic advising aims to support and retain students throughout their learning process and experiences. The advisory roles played by faculty or a professional advisor in tandem to support students' education and ensure their progress. A sold academic advising program is very crucial to engineering students because it helps support not only students' goals and success but also determine its attainment. The role of the advisor seems straightforward; however, advisors often assist students with identifying the best major that fits their ability, discuss a potential minor, providing curriculum information, scheduling courses, explaining certificates, internships, and steering students to campus resources. The framework used in this research by Lee and Matusovich, (2016) model of co-curricular support for undergraduate engineering students. Engineering students' perceptions (thought process and experiences) of academic advising support systems considered as a measurement scale within the faculty and staff interactions. This scale contributes to allowing researchers and practitioners a better understanding of academic advising support systems for engineering students. The sample consisted of 79 undergraduate engineering students at Youngstown State University during Fall 2019. Findings reveal regions where engineering students are satisfied with support service provided. College year classification (freshman, sophomore, junior and senior) had significant differences were among engineering students' classification. Juniors and seniors are most satisfied with the academic advising provided. Significant differences found among engineering male students and engineering female students were males are most satisfied with academic advising provided. Advising support delivery systems, descriptive statistical analysis reveals students' most and least selected type of advising delivery system. By utilizing the results of engineering students' perceptions of academic advising, we can establish recommendations for improvements in academic advising for engineering programs. It also suggested further research on academic and social interactions with advisors and peers, both academically and socially; interactions with and involving learning centers; and inclusion within varied program(s).

Describing Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Academic Advising Practices in a College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Describing Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Academic Advising Practices in a College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Author: Caryn Mari Filson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:

Abstract: Academic advising is an integral part of the college experience. Outcomes of academic advising may be more critical than realized by either advisors or advisees. Studies have been compiled to suggest that meaningful and developmental contact with advisors promotes student success (Johnson & Wang, 2011; Kuh, 2008; Tuttle, 2000). However, a review of literature was used to reveal that students are dissatisfied with their academic advising, and that an extensive need exists to educate and train academic advisors on methods needed for establishing effective advising for college students. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to describe current undergraduate students' perceptions of academic advising practices within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University. The theoretical foundation for this study included two theories of student development. Perry's (1970) Theory of College Student Intellectual Development was used to describe how college students progress through three major stages of thought in their cognitive development. Chickering's (1969) Seven Vectors of Student Development Theory was used to identify seven vectors along which college students continually develop. The researcher-designed questionnaire in this study contained 20 Likert-scale items that originated from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The researcher employed an online survey provider for data collection. Analyses of the results indicated that academic advisors in CFAES were providing good quality advising to their undergraduate advisees. Academic advisors in CFAES were rated positively in regards to their relationships with undergraduate advisees. Students reported that advisors were available, and provided accurate and up-to-date information when it was needed. It was also found that the institution provided good quality academic advising to undergraduate students in CFAES, as well as provided support to help students succeed academically through academic advising. Analyses of the results also identified areas of improvement for academic advising practices in CFAES. Academic advisors in CFAES are advising only half of their assigned undergraduate advisees, while half of the students indicated they were using sources other than their assigned advisor for advising needs. It was also reported that academic advisors in CFAES do not tend to discuss career plans with undergraduate advisees. It was concluded that undergraduate students in CFAES were generally satisfied with the quality of academic advising they received at the college and the institution. Relationships indicated that the more frequent contact advisees have with their advisors, the more likely they were to be satisfied with the advising practices and engaged in enriching educational experiences. Recommendations included providing academic advisor training for new faculty members to inform them of the policies, procedures, and effective practices in academic advising. A second recommendation was for the college to conduct professional development opportunities for faculty members who serve as advisors to update them on the current research and advising practices. Further recommendations included to assess the effectiveness of advisors by using student feedback and to encourage advisors to maintain regular office hours and offer varied modes of contact with advisees.