Hi Cynthia
Student services encompass a lot and all impacts on student success. Here are some examples: Orientation - a time for students to learn about the school, study skills, meet students and staff, etc. Academic assistance - has many forms from teacher interaction to others identifying areas where student needs help and providing it within the school or from outside resources. Library - a media center that is useful for students. Graduation - an exciting event for students to look forward to and a celebration. Placement - staff that will assist with development employment skills and eventually with seeking job openings and interviews, etc. Alumni services - a way to stay in touch with your grads who may very well enroll in other programs and/or tell their friends and employers about your school. There are lots of services for students. One person can coordinate and get the assistance of everyone on staff. In some schools the graduation is run by students. Hope this helps. Susan
I just looked up student services online to see of some ideas that might work for us. Currently with a school of only 110 students we have a financial advisor for title four/ registrar helps them find a place to live when they are moving here from out of town and academic advising . Other than that we don't have students services . what would you suggest?
Great Mark. Student services is definitely a campus state of mind. It starts from the top by emphasizing that everyone's main job on campus is to address the students' needs as soon as possible. Large and successful companies know this because many have great customer care programs in place. This ensures customer satisfaction, retention, and great referrals. And you learn a lot from customer complaints. From the minute a prospective student places a call or emails a request that person must feel that the campus is 100% student oriented. Thanks, Susan
Student Services can be, and should be a campus-wide effort. If you have limited resources for dedicated student services staff, be sure to get all employees involved in student services. faculty play a key role in identifying issues and can often assist with their knowledge of the industry. career Services, Registrar, even financial aid staff should all be aware of potential student issues in their communication with students and bring it to the appropriate person for follow-up. You could have a student services committee that has cross representation of all departments to identify and address current processes and proposed improvements with all departments playing an active role in the process.
Hi Mark, Interesting strategy. We are not quite clear on how it works at your school and the results. Can you explain under what circumstances you have students interact with other schools. What is the purpose of meeting with the president of another school. We are curious and look forward to hearing more details. We'd like to know how this helps to operate with limited resources. Thanks, Susan
When it come to student services and their success, I have found that having student interact with other schools who have similar or the same organizations meet or make contact with their president and schedule a meet and greet secession. I not sure if this type of process is being done anywhere else.
