Advising and Retention

Purpose:

The University of West Alabama believes advising is a holistic approach to the development of the student through a mutual academic relationship between the advisor and the student, which includes academic advising, career exploration, and identification of campus and community resources.

Mission:

The mission of advising is to foster a personalized partnership between student and advisor that promotes active and responsible learning. Our purpose is also to facilitate student ownership of their educational experience and assist students in identifying and clarifying academic, career, and personal goals.

Advising Process:

UWA uses a split advising model, using both a centralized advising system and faculty advising. Generally, incoming students (freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 credit hours) are assigned a CARES Advisor who works closely with each student. Students meet with their advisor at least twice each semester and during the pre-registration period. Each meeting aims to assist students in identifying resources and activities that help them formulate goals and develop a plan to achieve those goals. CARES Advisors use the Appreciative Advising philosophy in working with students.

Incoming students will be evaluated at the end of their second full semester (i.e., a traditional student that starts in the fall term will meet with CARES and a faculty advisor in the spring term to register for the second full semester) to determine if they continue with their CARES Advisor or begin working with a faculty advisor. While CARES Advisors work with students to formulate goals and develop a plan to meet those goals, faculty advisors are more specialized in their fields and can begin assisting students in accomplishing their set goals. Faculty advisors can provide students with information on graduate schools and/or career options in their chosen fields. They may also assist students in developing a professional network in their respective areas of interest.

Retention:

Retaining and graduating students is a key focus of the University of West Alabama. The University employs many services, programs, and initiatives to increase student retention and improve graduation rates, and all faculty and staff have some responsibility for both. It is the faculty, staff, and students that make true the motto that "There is something about this place." If a faculty and staff member has a retention concern or wishes to provide "kudos" for a job well-done, they can complete a Retention Report Form. The form is routed to the CARES team in the Office of Retention and Institutional Research (ORIR), and students are contacted by a Retention Specialist to schedule a series of meetings to help facilitate the success, retention, academic progress, and timely graduation of UWA students.

CARES and ORIR Staff:

Dr. Angel Jowers, Director of Retention and Institutional Research

Office: Spieth Hall 229

Email: ajowers@uwa.edu

Ms. Roxcanna Bradley, Advisor/Retention Specialist for College of Education

Office: Spieth Hall 224

Email: rbradley@uwa.edu

Ms. Ma'Kiyah Hall, Advisor/Retention Specialist for College of Business & Division of Engineering Technology

Office: Spieth Hall 225

Email: mhall@uwa.edu

Mrs. Morgan Shelton, College Navigator and Advisor for College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Office: Spieth Hall 227