News/Notes for Undergraduate Advisors: Fall Academic Workshops & Tutoring | Military/Veteran Services

Please review these items to assist with your work with advisees as well for professional/personal information - or if appropriate to pass along to your students.  ADVISOR KNOW HOW: Tips for Assisting At-Risk Students | Fall Academic Workshops & Tutoring | Military/Veteran Services| Academic Advisor Portal | Institutional Academic Advising Vision/Mission Statement 

• ADVISOR KNOW HOW: Tips for Assisting At-Risk Students
  • The Iowa Department of Education (Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.2(256)) defines "at-risk" students as "any identified student who needs additional support and who is not meeting or not expected to meet the established goals of the educational program (academic, personal/social, career/vocational)" 
  • Many different factors and backgrounds can contribute to a student being at risk of not meeting expectations.  At-risk students may require extra support and resources to be successful and reach full potential.  Whereas it is important to understand the specific student's factors for being at-risk, both faculty and staff should consider these universal tips for assisting "at-risk" students (adapted from Tips for Assisting At-Risk Students):
    • In the Classroom
      • Be approachable and provide opportunities for communication and connection
      • Create safe and supportive environment - show both interest and concern
        • Recognize the successes...but discuss challenges and, if possible, normalize by using examples from experiences with other students
      • Respect differences and seek to understand previous experiences
        • Some students are still developing basic life and academic skills
    • Outside the Classroom.  A few to know now:
      • Be aware of what self-care and enhancement interventions may be available.
        • Promote the UNI Counseling Center for mental wellness and personal well-being
        • Encourage use of the tutoring, workshops, and academic coaches from The Learning Center@Rod Library [and see below for more info}
      • Connect students early on to the UNI Career Center for understanding of future career options and/or graduate school.
      • Encourage students to get involved in events, campus organizations, or community activities.
        • The Office of Student Involvement can be a great starting point!  Have students find their potential involvement through the Panther FYI (Find Your Involvement).
      • Guide students with identified or potential disabilities to Student Accessibility Services for assistance and to utilize accommodations.
         
• Fall Academic Workshops & Tutoring
  • Students are encouraged to attend The Learning Center@Rod Library academic workshop series to prepare them on academic skills such as using Blackboard, time management, note-taking, reading textbooks, effective study habits, citations, and finals preparation. 
    • Workshops are held in the Rod Library 272 every Tuesday and Wednesday 4-5 p.m. Visit this website for more information.
  • In Person Tutoring: In addition to the workshops, TLC is now open for drop-in tutoring Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Students will check in at the TLC front desk. We have tutoring available for Math, Science, the Business Core, Writing, and specialty areas like Spanish.
  • Online Tutoring: Students can also access online tutoring through TutorMe. This online tutoring service is provided on a 24/7 basis. Students need to email learningcenter@uni.edu to be enrolled in the eLearning course. They will have access as long as they remain a UNI student.
     
• Military/Veteran Services (Part 2/3)
  • From Henry Korf - I am the Military and Veteran Student Services Coordinator for UNI and my role is to support our military affiliated students to ensure their success here on campus and on-line.  You may contact me via email or phone: henry.korf@uni.edu  P 319-273-3040 C 319-290-2102.  Additional information is available at military.uni.edu.
  • My hope is to provide a little understanding for you into the world of VA educational benefits so that you can recognize a VA benefit recipient and then be able to funnel the student to me for review. I want to partner with you for the success of the student and UNI
  • Information for Student Advisors regarding Veteran Educational benefits - VA Educational Chapters    * A student may receive benefits from multiple Chapters or Other Benefits simultaneously
    • Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill – Select Reserve *
      • The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Service member receives a monthly stipend depending on their respective service contract. The amount received depends on academic status of the student.
    • Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance *
      • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program. Monthly stipend is paid directly to the student.
         
• Academic Advisor Portal
  • The Academic Advisor Portal is a centralized point for campus-wide UNI faculty and staff academic advisors, as well as student success partners, for information and resources to enhance work with students and further expand professional development.
  • Highlights of the portal include:  Advisor Toolbox - including scheduling and registration resources  |  Academic Advisor FAQs  |  UNI Advising Network  |  News, Information & Announcements
     
• Institutional Academic Advising Vision & Mission Statement (revised Spring 2016) [See Academic Advising Mission, Vision, Goals & Outcomes webpage]
  • Vision Statement: UNI aspires to create the best possible advising experience for each student.
  • Mission Statement: Academic Advising is a critical component of the teaching and learning environment at UNI. Advising is a personalized educational experience, empowering students to explore, articulate and achieve their academic, career and life goals.