MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Three faculty members at Penn State Harrisburg completed a year-long Advising Fellows program, a new effort aimed at enhancing faculty advising to provide better support for students.
The Advising Fellows program was created to better support the advising of upper-division students by developing a formal, collaborative relationship between the Lambert Undergraduate Advising Center and faculty advisers who have demonstrated an interest in effective academic advising, according to Daniel Mercado, director of academic support and advising services for Penn State Harrisburg.
“We know advising is a critical factor in student retention and graduation,” Mercado said. “Recent research by the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park has shown that students who will meet with an adviser, either professional or faculty, are much more likely to return for the next semester than someone who doesn't.”
Lower division students — generally those in their first and second year, who are pre-major or may be transferring to another campus — are assigned professional advisers through the Advising Center. Faculty members provide advising for upper division students or transfer students approved for a Harrisburg major.
The Advising Fellows program aimed to train faculty members on best practices and connect them with support through the Advising Center. Three faculty members — Saravanan Gurupackiam, Jody Salsman and Jennifer Smith — participated in the first year.
They committed to advising 100 students in multiple majors, dedicating 10 hours per week to advising, and receiving a course release to make up for that time. They participated in ongoing professional development in advising, attended the Penn State Academic Advising Conference and a workshop through the Center for Teaching Excellence. The fellows used office space in the Advising Center in the Student Enrichment Center.
Jennifer Smith, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice, said she participated in the fellows program because she enjoys getting to know students better and connecting them with the resources they need to be successful.
“I want them to feel welcome. I want them to feel like they belong and have a place here,” she said. “I’m hoping that, obviously, they stay here … but beyond that, that they thrive.”