Excellence and Equity in Academic Advising: 2021 UAC Impact Report
As the Univeristy Advising Center approaches its tenth year, much has been done to standardize academic advising efforts across campus. The UAC's 2021 Impact Report, Excellence and Equity in Academic Advising, seeks to highlight the work of all academic advisors and the impact they have on every student, every semester.
National Recognition
Every other year, USC participates in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). One question asks first-year students and seniors to rate the quality of their interactions with academic advisors. In 2015, prior to the establishment of the UAC and the Undergraduate Academic Advising Initiative, first-year students rated their interactions with academic advisors at a 4.8 mean (out of 7.0). In the years following the establishment of the UAC and the hiring and training of UAAs, first-year student perceptions of their interactions with advisors have improved to a mean score of 5.5 in 2017 and 2019 and 5.4 in 2021. Over that same timeframe, seniors’ perceptions of their interactions with advisors has remained relatively constant. According to the results of the 2021 survey, the University Advising Center’s approach to training UAAs has shown compelling achievement when compared to other southeastern public secondary institutions and institutions in the University’s Carnegie class.
"How a High-Performing University Improved the Student Experience with EAB Campus"
Case Study: Impact of Academic Advising on Graduation & Retention Rates [pdf]
Current Reports
2005-2024 First-Year Students on Probation: Impact of Academic Coaching on GPA [pdf]
2023-2024 First Year Transfers on Probation: Impact of Academic Coaching on GPA [pdf]
2019-2020 Exploratory Advising and Successful Major Changes [pdf]
Quick Findings
Research suggests that students whose advisors frequently utilize DegreeWorks in advising perceive higher accuracy in information provision, better academic support, greater overall success, and increased satisfaction with advising compared to those with infrequent or no usage. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in all these areas between the two groups.
Archive
The below section captures research and reports that were published prior to 2020.