TRACKING STUDENT LIFE CYCLE

I. Introduction

The primary goal of New Vision University is to enhance student learning & development opportunities throughout the Student Life-Cycle and to boost the understanding that learning for all must be lifelong in scope if society is to fully benefit. The Student Services Center (SSC) is central to this process of creation and dispersion of knowledge by offering students comprehensive, co-curricular programs and services as well as supporting them as they transition through the university stages and preparing students to succeed in their chosen professions. The SSC staff is responsible for recruitment, admissions procedures, financial aid, course registration, student life experiences and careers. Thereby, its efforts are comprehensive and touch the lives and development of students in nearly every aspect of their experience including housing, personal health, wellness, and growth to support for academic and professional development. Based on the above-mentioned goals, NVU SSC has developed an approach that maintains and supports student success at each stage of their development. The document focuses on the ways that University’s operational units, external & internal regulatory bodies as well as lecturers and other teaching staff can maintain and improve the quality of learning for students and to support student extra-curricular activities. This is done through providing guidance and information about how to meet the diverse learning needs of students at each stage of Student Life-Cycle.

1. Goals of NVU SSC      

NVU provides integrated and multidisciplinary educational programs with special emphasis on general skills modules, leadership and shared values through its curriculum. University equally cherishes the diversity of student population and establishment of the international network of alumni and students from diverse backgrounds while emphasizing individuality and unique development of each student. As part of the annual and long-term planning processes, SSC aligns unit-level goals and initiatives with a common set of commitments to student development, which in turn highlights the values of the university. SSC is dedicated to the implementation of these strategic goals as part of an overall strategy of driving growth and progress for NVU. The many initiatives commenced by this center and its units will lead to greater opportunities for student accomplishment and places NVU on the progressive path leading to excellence.

Key goals of the NVU Student Services Center include:

• Align and intensify NVU growth strategy with recruitment efforts
• Provide smooth and effective pre-enrollment experience
• Ease transition for international students
• Deliver timely and quality information as well as interventions for first-year students
• Enhance the experience for second & consecutive year students
• Encourage the use of Career Services for work/internship opportunities as well as for further learning possibilities
• Increase opportunities for students to become part of globalized world
• Encourage individuality and unique paths of development
• Enhance leadership, service, and community engagement opportunities
• Boost student’s engagement with SSC
• Improve Monitoring & Feedback strategies for data analysis and implementation
• Increase administrative efficiencies of Services and streamline processes

2. Development of the Student Life-Cycle Strategy

Development of the NVU Student Life-Cycle Plan was backed up by extensive analysis of the data from staff members, students, and professors and aimed at evaluating student experience at the university through specific questions: What is effective? What can we sustain? What is satisfying? In that manner, SSC has utilized and will continue to use multiple data sources to inform us on the current condition and to make necessary adjustments.

Data Used in the process include:

• Feedback, reviews & evaluations
• Surveys (overall satisfaction, first-year experience, individual courses, post-graduation)
• Course results (submission, pass rates for individual assessment items & courses overall etc.)

In preparation of the document, NVU has prioritized the key questions for consideration:

External Validation

• What does our performance data tell us?
• How are we placed in the local market?
• How well are our goals of recruitment streamlined with our external strategies?

Internal Validation

• How engaged and satisfied are our students?
• How integrated and sustainable are our programs and practices?
• How well-equipped are our graduates to meet and lead the future?

3. Objectives & Actions

The NVU team believes, that a holistic and coordinated approach to supporting students across the various sections of a university provides the best opportunities for students to be successful in their studies, personal life and career after graduation. In this document, therefore, is a listing of various resources that universities and other support services have developed for prospective or newly-arrived students as well as for second & consecutive year students and graduates. The document breaks down activities taken by the university into stages, to demonstrate detailed outline of how it engages with prospective & current students as well as the alumni. Namely, those stages include (I) Pre -Enrollment, (II) Freshman Year (III) Resident Years and (IV) Alumni, with each level accompanied by specific services and actions. The document also outlines the considerable support that must be provided for students during these transitions; support includes delivery of timely and accurate information and services that enhance the learning process in and out of the traditional classroom. Furthermore, NVU team believes that the student life-cycle document should remain flexible as it will go through continuous improvement cycles based on Monitoring and Feedback processes with collection and analysis of various sources of data. The strategy that is outlined below is appropriate for all schools at the university at each level, including Bachelor’s, Masters and Ph.D.

II. Stages of Student Life-Cycle           

Stage I. Pre-Enrollment

At the pre-entry stage, students research what they might like to study at university based on such factors as their passions, university reputation etc. The first contact and admission stage into higher education is a critical part of a student’s learning journey. Decisions made during this stage can impact on their university success and career. For many students, the first contact with an institution is often when they are applying. This is the phase in which an NVU targets groups of potential students and seeks to assist them in applying successfully to higher education. It is now that an institution should start to shape the aspirations and expectations of applicants. Answers to commonly asked questions need to be provided and these can include:

• Why go to New Vision University?
• Why is it important to be on the ‘right’ course at a ‘suitable’ university?
• How and why will university study be different to previous types of study?
• What is expected of an NVU student?

Therefore, NVU begins stage I with forecasting & planning efforts while conducting market research, brand positioning, audience segmentation and multi-channel campaign efforts to target the student body that is appropriate for the school. It must be noted that the growth strategy and brand competitive positioning will go in line with NVU Strategy priorities (defined in the document). This is followed by recruitment and study counseling efforts including open days to discuss university competitive advantages and to provide profile formation opportunities for prospective students.

Significant part of the pre-enrollment stage is taken up by the admissions; as the ‘gatekeeper’ to courses, admissions staff have a pivotal role to play in the achievement, of the aims and objectives for the widening participation strategy. In fact, the relationship that a student develops with their institution during the pre-arrival phase can set engagement patterns and exert a strong influence on their ability to persevere and succeed. NVU team and specifically Students’ Office will reinforce the questions raised and answered during the first contact and admissions stage and provide academic and personal advice as well as the guidance and support.

Frequent questions include:

• Do I need to undertake any pre-entry academic work or reading?
• What do I do when I arrive at university?
• How do I register or enroll?

In that manner, admission’s staff will balance the demand and supply of different courses with different applicants, and ensure that students are appropriately prepared to enter a course of higher education; admissions officers will also have the responsibility to assign students to either Route A (direct admission to bachelor’s) or to Route B (foundation program followed with admission to the Bachelor’s) and make this decision by the help of placement tests and individual counseling. International students will further be assisted with technical issues including visa applications and status maintaining. By the end of stage I, students are prepared to begin their studies at NVU smoothly, they are assessed to be appropriate for the courses and well equipped academically for their degree of choice.

Stage II. Freshman Year

Arrival at the university can be a seminal moment in the life of a student especially if it is the first time they have lived away from home, studied at a large institution or been exposed to a range of diverse cultures and life experiences. Thus, NVU will provide necessary academic as well as psychological support to first-year students and will deliver timely and quality information and support as students begin their university journey through Orientation & Induction processes. Arrival and orientation take place over a very brief period (two weeks) and will be related to finding one’s way around an institution, starting the process of making friends, and settling into university life. To help students, settle at NVU smoothly, following interventions and support will be provided throughout Orientation period:

Orientation

• Early Contact / School portal and mail-out
• Welcome Week for First Year Students:
• A peek at campus life and day tour
• Pre-Semester Enrolment Day & Orientation Day (Orientation to services)
• Campus Tradition (New Vision Wednesday)
• Orientation to curriculum
• Welcome Party
• Welcome Pack

On the other hand, induction to study at university takes place over a longer period. It is during this period that students adjust to university life and learn to cope with the demands of academia and pressures of life. In this period, initial support to assist the development of newcomers will involve various academic as well psychological support:

Curricular support options:

• NVU Video – Mission & Values
• Academic Advisor Program (peer support)
• Tutorial Service
• Bridging Courses
• Writing Classes
• Language Classes: Improve in the language of instruction
• Georgian Language Classes

Extra-curricular support options:

• Health & Wellness Counseling Services:
• Brown Bag Events (Discussion, Talks with Successful students, graduates, employers)

Stage II is also concerned with supporting the student after the initial semester, as this phase can be a pressure point for students who have found academic work difficult and face catching up while they are starting the next phase of their studies. NVU operates with the Early Alert system to monitor student success/challenges and provides necessary interventions including academic as well as social interventions. The strategy encompasses the idea of follow up, early identification and intervention with at-risk students: via non- attendance, non-submission & failure on first assessment tasks and not only. Further tools used for intervention are as following:

Academic Interventions

• Tutoring

• Supplemental instruction for historically challenging courses

• Proactive advising for at-risk students

• Counseling on career and degree/major selection
• Defining goals and expectations

 Social interventions

• Counseling on personal, family, or financial issues
• Courses and workshops on “soft skills,” such as time management, good study habits, effective communications
• Peer study groups/mentoring in nonacademic settings (residence hall, peer groups)
• Support from non-academic advisors

By the end of the year one, NVU completes the student life-cycle with the Follow-up & Academic Recovery program while building an explicit transition into Year 2.

Stage III. Resident Years    

Returning students also need advice, guidance and support for their coming years of study. During stage III, students are adjusting to university life and finding their place in the community. They begin to specialize in their chosen area and sometimes re-evaluate their career paths based on newly acquired interests. Reorientation takes place at the start of each new academic level as relevant. During reorientation, students should be reminded of the academic and personal support they can access and what to expect at their specific level. During the reinduction period, it is important that students:

• Review and reflect on the academic and personal skills gained in the previous year
• Look at how they can build on their skills in the coming year
• Determine what they need to achieve to successfully progress
• How can skills learnt at university be transferred to life post study?
• What are the different study, travel and work options available after graduation?
• How can the student make the adjustment from study to life after university?

To address these questions, NVU Students’ Office provides numerous services for continuing students that is concentrating on an individual as well as group support tailored to their needs. Some of the opportunities are relevant for first-year students also, yet some are specifically tailored for students at this specific stage. Among those, Counseling support on shaping own profile is NVU initiative during which relevant school administration assigns upper-division faculty advisors to sophomores, juniors, seniors and transfer students. Each student is advised by the department dean or a faculty chair. Advisors can provide guidance and mentoring to help students make informed choices. These meetings also allow for discussions about the student’s major/minor, possible internships, and career planning. Some departments schedule group advisement to inform students about activities and new classes in the major while others offer special programming and events regarding major-related topics, e.g., departmental research opportunities and internships. Besides overall support for the stage III transition, numerous Student Success Services along with Career support is provided through specific activities including:

• Workshops on learning strategies (e.g., time management, note-taking and test prep strategies).
• Tutorial Service
• University Success Series
• Language Classes
• Writing Classes
• Georgian Language Classes
• Health & Wellness Counseling Services
• Career Services
• Brown Bag events (with employers)

Stage IV. Alumni

NVU Students are out ducted of university just as they are inducted into the university through numerous services provided specifically for the alumni. Through continuous Surveys (1st survey immediately after graduation- and follow up surveys every 3-5 years     ), NVU will continue to track student success and challenges and provide different opportunities for their development in terms of life, a career as well as academia. Asserting on the significance of Life Long Learning (LLL) NVU continues to offer a discount on any of the university’s educational and training programs, unrestricted access to the NVU library and its electronic resources and opportunity to benefit from the short cycle and/or vocational education programs. In the case of the new job search or looking for a transition, Career Services is also available in full service. NVU strongly holds the position that it is crucial to not only retain but also to strengthen the link with NVU alumni and to get them involved with academic processes as well as the university life. The link between the alumni and university could benefit students throughout their career and be an opportunity for NVU students to get acquainted with graduate students, their experiences and even being recruited by them if deemed desirable. Some of the activities adopted by the university to assist alumni-university relationship includes:

• New Vision Alumni Association
• Alumni Reunion event (yearly/ or once in 3 years)
• Brown Bag Events
• Monthly Newsletters
• Alumni Profiles on Website Facebook

III. Surveys: Monitoring & Feedback

NVU aims to employ continuous improvement cycles based on Monitoring and Feedback and to use data from multiple sources for informing ongoing strategy successes and failures. In that manner, it will assess:

•  What is effective?
•  What can we sustain?
•  What is satisfying?

Multiple sources of feedback

• Students (feedback, reviews, evaluations)
• Mentors (feedback, review, evaluation)
• Staff (conveners, tutors)
• Surveys (semester & first year experience, individual courses, FYE activity evaluations)
• Course results (submission & pass rates for individual assessment items & courses overall)
• Retention data