Academic Advising
First Year Program
RISE: Retention through Increased Student Engagement
Program Purpose
Student Academic Services in the USF College of Education is keenly aware of the unique and diverse challenges first-time-in-college (FTIC) students face and is committed to supporting students through their transition from high school to college.
Retention through Increased Student Engagement (RISE) is a first-year retention program piloted in the fall of 2019 with incoming FTIC students who declared an undergraduate major in the College of Education.
The program鈥檚 design is based upon best practices in advising and effective retention strategies. It utilizes a case management approach by matching FTIC students with professional academic advisors who engage their cadre of students through proactive, strengths-based advising. What results is a developmental advisor-advisee relationship, which is key to serving students鈥� academic, social, and career needs.
Program Goals
- Encourage students to identify Student Academic Services as their primary resource.
- Help support students in their progression to their second year.
- Inspire students to share a positive perspective of education as a career.
Program Highlights
- Monthly outreach and educational planning conducted by academic advisors based on first-year benchmarks
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Year-round programming, such as a USF Week of Welcome event, a Stress-less caf茅 and special contests during USF Homecoming Week.
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Tutoring and academic support for teacher certification exams, including General Knowledge Test Boot Camps
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Networking activities with current students and alumni, such as a Panel of Educators event and the College of Education's Education Exchange Series
Program Outcomes
As the program鈥檚 purpose was to increase the first to second year retention rate, data was collected from USF's Office of Decision Support during the pilot program's first year. Data reveal a second-year retention rate of more than 90 percent for the 2019-20 academic year, which shows a more than 10 percent increase from the prior academic year.
| Student Classification | 2018-19 | 2019-20 (Start of RISE Program Pilot) |
|---|---|---|
| First Time in College (FTIC) Student Retention | 89.3% | 92% |
| Second Year Retention (with GPA above 2.0) | 87.7% | 90.5% |
Data from USF鈥檚 Office of Decision support, College of Education Planning, Performance & Accountability, 2019-2020
RISE STUDENT FEEDBACK SURVEY
In June 2020, Student Academic Services conducted a survey of College of Education students who participated in the RISE Program to get feedback about the program.
My academic advisor was accessible throughout my first year at USF.
100% agree
My academic advisor was supportive throughout my first year at USF.
99% agree
My academic advisor was a beneficial resource to me throughout my first year at USF.
97% agree
My academic advisor was interested in my success.
99% agree
My academic advisor helped me feel I was part of the College of Education community.
96% agree
My academic advisor helped me make meaning and find value in my first year at USF.
95% agree
The outreach and support from my academic advisor encouraged me to remain at USF for
a second year.
99% agree
Student testimonials
鈥淢y advisor was very helpful and made everything so easy. She provided me with a lot
of information and advice when I was indecisive on what courses to take.鈥�
鈥� Renny Jimenez, Secondary Science Education Major
鈥淎lyssa Chism, and the entire advising office, really made my first year in college
so amazing. You could tell they all really care for our success and always make me
feel as if I was the top priority. They became a second family to me. I couldn鈥檛 imagine
my college experience being the way that it is without them!鈥�
鈥� Nina Pramberger, Elementary Education Major
鈥淲hat an amazing experience! Alyssa was very informative and there for me every step
of the way!
鈥� Cheyenne Campbell, Elementary Education Major
鈥淢y academic advisor was so helpful and resourceful!鈥�
鈥� Brooke Zweifel, Elementary Education Major
鈥淢y advisor, Deanna Rieke, gave my advice about my major choice and classes that catered
to my life and my needs. She helped me find a path that was best for me and my interests.鈥�
鈥� Jayla Dunbar, Secondary Mathematics Education Major