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Campus Review
July 7, 2014
Page 18
Using Selfies to Motivate Student Registration and Reach a Record Retention Rate
First-Year Student Advisors
Present at NACADA Conference
Advisors from the Clayton State
University First-Year Advising and
Retention Center (FYARC) presented at
the NACADA (National Association of
Academic Advising) regional conference
on May 16, at the University of Georgia.
Nearly 70 advisors from across the south-
east region attended FYARC’s presenta-
tion on “Timeless First-Year Advising for
the Millennial Generation.” FYARC advi-
sors shared their advising strategies for
first-year students such as providing
holistic academic advisement, major and
career exploration, and linking advise-
ment to first-year programming. In addi-
tion, the presentation highlighted the cen-
ter’s innovative outreach and communica-
tion efforts for the millennial generation.
These efforts include hosting Freshman
Registration Parties in the Laker Hall res-
idence hall, teaching students how to reg-
ister, and posting advising selfie pictures
through social media to motivate students
to register.
“Our advising colleagues were shocked to
learn that we require all of our first-year
students to attend at least three advise-
ment sessions during the semester,” says
FYARC Director DeLandra Hunter. “By
the end of the presentation, I think they
understood that academic advisors should
develop meaningful relationships with
students to support their developmental
needs and increase retention. Of course,
this takes time to do.”
Clayton State reached a first-to-second-
year retention rate of 72.34 percent for its
fall 2012 cohort, the highest retention rate
the institution has ever seen. This is a 4.5
percent increase from the 67.84 percent
retention rate in the fall of 2011.
“Although there are a variety of programs
and interventions we have developed over
the past several years, we believe our
intentional, directive, and monthly
mandatory advising sessions are making
the greatest difference in our freshmen,”
says Dr. Mark Daddona, associate vice
president of Enrollment Management and
Academic Success. “Our first-year stu-
dents are developing close connections
with the staff in the First-Year Advising
and Retention Center as well as other stu-
dents.
“As a result, more first-year students are
returning to the institution for their second
year of college.”
Daddona also notes that, for the first time,
the University surpassed the average
70.60 percent retention rate of all institu-
tions in its sector and has the second high-
est retention rate of institutions in its sec-
tor.
who have displayed a consistent record of
accomplishments with respect to teach-
ing, scholarship, and service,” he says. “It
is the highest honor a University can
bestow upon a member of its faculty.”
The Jack and Sherry Hancock Annual
University Professorship comes from the
generous support of Clayton State
University Foundation Trustee Jack
Hancock and his wife, Sherry Hancock,
who have also established the Teacher
Excellence
Recognition
Initiative,
designed to annually recognize two high
school teachers from Clayton County
Public Schools who demonstrate excel-
lence in teaching and exemplify the
Clayton State learning experience;
empowering, engaging, inclusive and sup-
portive; in their own classrooms.
Jack Hancock has more than 30 years of
experience in governmental and corporate
liability. He is a successful and accom-
plished trial and appellate lawyer who
received his B.B.A. and his J.D. from the
University of Georgia. He has also served
as a member of the Board of Directors of
the Clayton County Chamber of
Commerce, serving as legal counsel and
chair, and served on the Board of Directors
of the Regional Business Coalition.
Awarded to the faculty member who
exemplifies the Clayton State educational
experience – empowering, engaging, inclu-
sive and supportive – the University
Professorships are managed by the Clayton
State Office of Academic Affairs.
FYARC presenters (left to right); Jerryal Pettigrew - Advisor, Marcia Bouyea-Hamlet - Assistant
Director, Kimberly Ridenour - Advising Coordinator, and DeLandra Hunter - Director.
Deering, cont’d., from p. 2