Student Development Center PPA 2001-02

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The Student Development Center

2000-01 Program Planning and Assessment Report

1. Program Mission/Purpose

The Student Development Center, a department within Student Services, promotes student learning, student success and retention and personal development in support of the College’s mission of “providing rich opportunities for learn [ing], [offering] excellence in teaching, and comprehensive support services . . [and] serv[ing] the community’s lifelong educational and cultural needs” (Strategic Plan: Shoreline Community College, 2000, p. 5).

The Student Development Center offers the following services:

  • Counseling
  • Personal Counseling
  • Crisis Counseling
  • Educational Counseling
  • Career Counseling
  • Support/Information Student Groups
  • Consultation
  • Academic Advising
  • Individual Student Advising
  • New Student Orientation and Registration
  • Advising Workshops
  • High School Relations Outreach
  • Assessment and Testing
  • Services for Students with Disabilities
  • Community Integration Program
  • Human Development Courses

Counseling Services

As defined in the Washington State Student Services manual entitled, A Student Services Manual: Directions and Challenges (1998, p 16), “the mission of Washington State community and technical colleges Counseling Services is to maximize the potential of students to benefit from the educational environment by facilitating access, promoting student learning and teaching student success strategies.”

The counselors at Shoreline Community College provide educational programs and services designed to meet the needs of their diverse communities and support the College’s mission of “demonstrat[ing] dedication to student success by providing rich opportunities to learn, excellence in teaching and comprehensive support services. . . [serving] the community’s lifelong educational and cultural needs (Strategic Plan: Shoreline Community College, 2000).

Students benefit from the College’s counseling program throughout their college experience. There are several critical points where students benefit from counseling. These points include: entry into college, selection of classes, exploring and establishing career and life goals, overcoming barriers to academic success, transferring to other institutions, and entering the job market (Washington State Student Services Manual, 1998).

In support of the Washington State community and technical colleges counseling services' mission, and the College’s mission and core values, counselors assist students with personal, crisis, academic advising/educational, and career counseling; provide consultative services to faculty, staff and community members; aid in the development of health awareness programs and materials; work in partnership with college staff to support student success; and assist in developing linkages with four-year colleges through transfer centers, K- 12 schools, and local service agencies.

Personal Counseling

Counselors provide short-term personal counseling to help students resolve personal problems and face life difficulties that challenge or disrupt their academic progress, which can effect retention, graduation efficiency and overall success at SCC. Students come to the Center with a variety of presenting problems such as substance abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, separation and divorce, suicidal thoughts and feelings, sexual abuse and harassment, anger, stress, depression, and anxiety. The institution staffs only professionally trained counselors who regularly engage in continuing professional development and who maintain working relationships with mental health practitioners, medical care providers, and social service agencies to help students access external support services, longer term therapy, and/or medical care when needed.

While the above mentioned problems are among the most difficult, many other students seek counseling to deal with academic performance issues such as time management, study skills, test anxiety, math anxiety, financial problems, classroom grievances and failing grades. Counselors assess problems and explore strategies to help students gain personal insight, employ resources, resolve conflicts, change behaviors, face fears and accept responsibility for their education and growth. This results in enhancing the larger campus learning environment. Providing multiple avenues for growth and development, counselors offer individual counseling sessions, issue-related support groups, classroom visitations, workshops and Human Development courses such as Stress Management, Improving Relationships and Student Success to address specific issues and serve the diverse interests and needs of students.

With significant populations of single parents, high school drop-outs, immigrants and refugees, adult learners, Work First and Pre-Employment Training students, international students and dislocated workers, students bring their personal beliefs, values, fears, relationships and problems to campus and the counseling relationship. Personal counseling services are essential to support a campus environment dedicated to diversity. Students with physical and emotional disabilities continue to require accommodation and service, which is often provided by generalist counselors and a counselor from Service for Students with Disabilities. Helping students get through difficult situations, promoting health and wellness, addressing problem behaviors, as well as supporting the learning environment will, in turn, help students remain in school, progress toward goals and experience success.

Crisis Counseling

When a student or staff member is in crisis or imminent emotional distress, counselors are an identified resource to assist in handling the situation. Counselors maintain a schedule for crisis coverage so that there is a counselor and back-up counselor available to serve student crisis needs. Skilled in mental health assessment, legal obligations and protocol, counselors manage a crisis by assessing the student's presenting problem, counseling the student, and if needed, notifying and consulting with County Designated Mental Health Professionals (CDMHP) and other professionals. In-service training in crisis intervention is regularly scheduled.

Career Counseling

Career counseling coupled with academic advising “involves students in an exploration of personal interests, motivations, values and abilities and teaches the development of decision-making skills through the selection of [educational] and career goals” (Washington State Student Services Manual, 1998). At Shoreline, counselors guide students through a self assessment using a variety of methods including: interest inventories; personality inventories; on-line career assessments and career information from occupational data bases; professional development courses; information interviews; job shadowing; and written materials to help them examine their values, interests and abilities and relate those values, interests and abilities to career and life goals.

High school graduates seeking first time careers, Work First students returning to the labor market, workers in need of retraining due to injury or layoffs, employees seeking professional development, and adults in transition seeking new opportunities, all benefit from the availability of comprehensive career services.

Educational Counseling

While counselors work primarily with a large assigned load of "undecided" and at-risk students, which represent about 60% of the College’s student population, they also work with certain general transfer students.. As their target group is typically undecided, counselors recognize the importance of providing counseling that helps students clarify their educational goals. Educational counseling includes, helping students identify strengths and limitations, develop time management skills, assess academic concerns, identify appropriate resources and develop an academic and career plan.

Support/Information Groups

Counselors, with graduate training in group dynamics and group process, offer support groups based on student interest and/or identified need. Examples of focus groups include relaxation training, a support group for African American female students, and a support group for students who are parents.

Consultation

Counselors provide consultation services to campus programs and departments, and to faculty and staff who deliver direct service to students, as well as maintaining collaborative relationships with community groups and service agencies for consultation and referral. Peer consultation is regularly employed among SCC counselors to discuss strategies, arrange for in-service training, share resources and improve counseling services.

Academic Advising Services

Academic advising is often described as a developmental process whereby students with diverse backgrounds, values, interests, and abilities seek guidance and information regarding their educational experience. Students seek advising for multiple reasons: to have transcripts evaluated, check course equivalencies, review graduation requirements, investigate majors and careers, as well as glean support to make adjustments to college life. Some students are very sure and confident about their direction, while many others are undecided and at risk of attrition. Research indicates that students with well-formed academic plans are more likely to continue and to complete their educational goals, thus the need for a strong academic advising program.

At Shoreline Community College, as agreed upon in the Federation contract, faculty provide student academic advising. Student academic advising occurs with faculty in every academic division, faculty/counselors in the Student Development Center and with several instructional and non-instructional administrators. At the Student Development Center, academic advisors work primarily with a large assigned load of “undecided” and at-risk students and general transfer students which represents about 60% of the SCC student population. Shaped by an inherent belief in the value of education, Shoreline has developed several programs with specific outcomes to promote student success and the goals of our Strategic Plan. Our diverse program offerings, outlined below, were created with this vision in mind.

Individual Advising

While the efficiency and value of group advising is not overlooked, we also recognize the importance of meeting with students individually, affording students the privacy they may need in order to review their academic records, select courses, develop an academic plan, talk about a career, or engage in a process of research and consultation. To this end, Advising and Counseling, as well as individual faculty members, offer individual and drop-in advising services.

New Student Orientation and Registration

Current research suggests that a quality new student orientation program is one of the most effective ways to improve student satisfaction and retention. Shoreline’s New Student Orientation program is designed to welcome new students, their families and friends to our campus; to promote our programs, services and degrees; to answer complex questions; to alleviate fears; and to provide students with a flexible, comprehensive informational program. New Student Orientation includes: an overview of our programs, services and degrees; a small group experience to allow students the opportunity to gather information and ask questions; as well as individualized advising assistance to help students select courses and register. Because of their training in group process and facilitation, counselors have traditionally conducted the small group portion of the orientation program

Our program is designed to help students understand the college environment, to make choices, register for classes and successfully progress toward their goals. At orientation students are assigned an advisor based upon their academic interests and career goals. Undecided students are assigned to counselors and after declaring an area of interest, they are referred to academic departments for in-depth program advisement.

UW Transfer Information Workshop

The purpose of UW Transfer Workshop is to help Shoreline students prepare for and experience a smooth transition to the University of Washington, the target destination for a majority of our transfer students. This program was developed, in concert with UW staff, to advise students about admission and graduation requirements, major preparation, and short-and long-term academic plans. This program is directly in line with strategies to address Washington State’s Accountability Improvement Plan.

Program Information Sessions/Advising Workshops

Program Information Sessions are workshops designed to provide program specific information to groups of students. Coordinated by the Advising and Counseling Center and in concert with academic divisions, these sessions serve to inform, guide and direct students toward their educational and career goals. These workshops are also directly in line with the Accountability Plan.

High School Relations Outreach

As of September 2001, the College appointed a manager of high school and college relations to develop implement and manage the college's high school outreach program and activities. This manager visits high schools and provides high school advising, recruitment workshops, informational group sessions and training. The manager also provides advising for Shoreline students and assists with the coordination of the New Student Orientation Program. In addition, the manager works with relevant campus departments to coordinate and assist in the broader institutional effort to provide high school relations and recruiting services to ensure the smooth articulation of high school students. This appointment serves to stabilize and improve the high school relations program, offering better services to our high school partners, their students and their families.

Assessment and Testing

Assessment and Testing seeks to promote student success by providing each student with the opportunity to gather information about his/her academic skills, complete a GED, complete the ASSET/COMPASS test, identify career interests and assess abilities. In concert with quality advising, students may select the best course of study, leading toward successful academic achievement, career development and satisfaction. Assessment exists to provide students and advisors with the information needed to make sound educational decisions.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The purpose of the services For Students with Disabilities Program (SSD) is to insure that all students have access to educational programs, campus services and activities. SSD provides service, information and accommodation for students who qualify as disabled under state and federal law. Specific accommodations for students who qualify are determined individually, in consultation with the Coordinator of services for students with disabilities.

Examples of services provided to students includes, but are not limited to; priority registration, testing accommodation, note-taking assistance, access to adaptive equipment, assistance in making classroom accommodation or modification, and referral.

Community Integration Program

Shoreline Community College’s Community Integration Program arose to support the needs of individuals with significant cerebral palsy who had chosen Shoreline as their educational resource. The program places emphasis on academic goals and academic achievement. The program supports students in their exploration of areas such as career and academic transfer programs, life-long learning, GED completion and adult basic education. The program is funded by King County and Snohomish County, and seeks to remove the physical and social barriers to integration in the college environment.

Human Development Courses

The Student Development Center faculty teach courses related to human development in the following areas: career exploration and life planning, stress management, improving relationships, and student success. They also guest lecture on campus when invited by faculty members and administrators who wish to call upon their unique experience and training. Invitations have come from Physical Education, Math, Parent Education, Education and Human Services, English, Sociology, Psychology, the Women's Center, the GED Program, and professional development programs. Topics have included stress management, self-esteem, overcoming perfectionism and procrastination, test-taking strategies, time management, motivation and goal setting, educational options after high school, and career opportunities, etc. Students also enroll in human development special topic/special project courses with counselor permission.

Support of the Colleges Mission, Core Values and Strategic Plan

The services offered by the Student Development Center support the mission and core values of the College. The expected outcomes of these services relate directly to Shoreline’s Strategic Plan

Support of Core Values and Strategic Plan.

The Student Development Center services support the strategic directions and strategic plan of Shoreline Community College. Subscribing to the values of respect and excellence, staff has, as primary interest, the health, well being and success of students. Counselors are concerned with equal access to programs and services, assessment of college readiness and course placement, success strategies for course and program completion, identification of educational and career goals, and intervention and support with personal difficulties to support students, the learning environment, and the mission of the college. To this end, staff uses and invites innovation, collaboration and support with campus departments, programs, councils and committees, internally and externally, to meet the diverse needs of our students and community.

Strategic Direction One: Striving For Excellence

Shoreline Community College will strive toward excellence by continuously improving its quality, effectiveness, responsiveness and flexibility based on comprehensive evaluation

In striving for excellence, the counseling department is committed to ongoing feedback and evaluation to improve our quality of service and contributions to students and the college. Efforts in this area include:

  • Work directly with new and prospective students to identify student needs and providing direct services or referrals to other providers
  • Help students identify and resolve personal challenges and difficult situations that impede their academic progress
  • Provide input and shaping policies and procedures that are sensitive and responsive to student needs
  • Continue to offer and develop advising workshops and general transfer information programs.
  • Continue to offer afternoon and evening orientation programs and expanded these services to support Saturday registration.
  • Continue with the research, development and publication of advising materials— Advising Handbooks, Academic Planning Sheets, and Academic Pathways.
  • Continue ongoing professional relationships—especially with major feeder high schools and universities.
  • Assist new and/or undecided students with program identification and goal clarification to improve access to college, progression toward goals, and graduation efficiency
  • Assess college readiness; helping students select courses and develop academic plans
  • Continue teaching Human Development courses and campus workshops to maximize student learning and personal success
  • Representing students' academic needs in a number of campus and educational forums, (e.g., Faculty Senate, Instructional Services Council, Student Service Managers, Curriculum Committee, Student Success Committee, The Federation, Washington Council, Articulation Council, Counseling and Student Development Administrative Council (CSDAC), Washington Community and Technical College Counselors Association (WCTCCA), Washington Post-Secondary Educators of the Disabled (WAPED)
  • Provided general overview and input on curriculum issues in response to access and progression, respecting both academic standards and understanding student needs
  • Improved the new student orientation program to include multimedia PowerPoint presentation, collection of student evaluations and expanded evening and Saturday registration and orientations
  • Collaborated with the K-12 system to establish the new WA State K-20 Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Guidelines; strong relationships with area high schools supporting post-secondary enrollment
  • Increased the use of technology to enhance communications
  • Continued the partnership with University of Washington Academic Advisors for the Science and Humanities Divisions
  • Hired the Director of Student Development Center
  • Developed and implemented a tracking system to effectively assess student profiles and track student needs
  • Collaborated with the Business Administration 120 Principles of Marketing class to develop a process for assessing advising and counseling programs and services
  • Invited student government representatives to New Student Orientation Sessions.

Strategic Direction Two: Teaching, Learning and Academic Excellence