[VPAAEtal] University College and Student Advising--Effective July 1

[Academic Affairs]

Dear Faculty and Staff:

On Wednesday, July 1, course selection and registration responsibilities for entering students-both first-year and new transfers-will be assumed by University College (UC).  

Dr. Ricky Dobbs, who will serve as UC Dean, hired four outstanding recent graduates, representing all three academic colleges of the University, to serve as Success Coaches.  Erin Fortenberry, Jennifer Hudson, Elva Resendez, and Katrina Watkins were selected.   The search process took over six weeks, with more than sixty applicants in a national search.  All have earned graduate degrees and exemplify academic and personal success.

New students entering the University and certain groups of the current student body will be served by the UC.  A Memorandum of Understanding,  approved by Deans Council,  defines the scope of responsibilities for the Success Coaches and the students who they will serve:

First-Year and Current Students until:

a.)    They have completed their first academic year at A&M-Commerce AND

b.)    Have twenty-four semester hours of credit bearing, non-remedial courses AND

c.)     Have completed their college-level math and ENG 101 requirements AND

d.)    Have declared a major.

New Transfer Students until:

a.)     They have completed their first semester at A&M-Commerce AND

b.)    Have twenty-four semester hours of credit bearing, non-remedial courses AND

c.)     Have completed their college-level math and ENG 101 requirements AND

d.)    Have declared a major.

These guidelines go into effect July 1.  Current students falling under these categories will be notified directly by the UC Success Coaches via e-mail and contacted personally, as needed, to inform students of their status, as well as the conditions that need to be met before responsibility for their advising will be transferred to their faculty advisors in CAS, CBT, or COEHS.   

Each Dean has defined, or will be soon be defining, the scope and processes for faculty advising of students once these conditions have been met. 

While the Success Coaches will be responsible for these students' advising, course selection and registration will be a collaborative process with major departments and colleges.  Late last semester, each department was asked to submit four-year plans for their majors/programs.  These plans will be used as working guides for the Success Coaches as they assist students.  After July 1, the Success Coaches will be visiting with each department head to make certain these plans are correct, to learn of any specific nuances of degrees, and to establish a rapport with department heads and faculty.   In addition, Success Coaches will be in contact with the various departments on a case-by- case basis.  The goal is to ensure that the University College and its Success Coaches reinforce departmental/program goals and preferences for their students.  Students' academic progress and success are paramount.  

Ultimately, back-up degree plans for each student will be housed on an intranet shared among the Success Coaches and the colleges' faculty advisors.  The UC is charged with promptly reporting those students who complete the criteria for transition to faculty advisors. 

Please refer all students who do not meet all of these qualifications to the Success Coaches.  Until the One-Stop-Shop is operational, there are two telephone numbers available-5174 or 5878.  Students may also reach the Success Coaches at SuccessCoaches at tamu-commerce.edu <mailto:SuccessCoaches at tamu-commerce.edu>  .  Success Coaches are temporarily located in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center. We are on schedule to be in the One-Stop Shop by the fall semester and we will be sending updates to the university.

Thank you for your support and patience as we begin this transition to improve service to our students. 

 

Mary

 
Mary W. Hendrix, Ph.D.
Vice-President for Student Access and Success
Texas A&M University-Commerce
P.O. Box 3011
Commerce, TX  75429
903.468.8706
 
 
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