Howard Community College

figure jumped to 1,300. The latest effort to improve orientation is the development of an updated online version that will make orientation easily accessible to everyone. With an online orientation and the addition of orientation mini-sessions, the office of student life hopes to exceed its benchmark of 50 percent of all new students participating in orientation, which, in turn, will help even greater numbers of students complete. A Window Opens: Virtual Advising for Busy Adults Students have long had multiple advising options at HCC, from in person and on the phone, to email. Last year, the college added an innovative fourth option: virtual advising. Virtual advising provides a real time, interactive experience for students whose campus visits are limited due to distance or time. Using technology, virtual advising replicates the student experience in the office and serves as an alternative advising experience. A New Look at New Student Orientation Four years ago, the number of students participating in HCC's college-wide orientation amounted to just 600 annually. Data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement found that only 36 percent of students participated in an orientation program, with another 33 percent reporting they were unable to participate due to their schedules. HCC staff recognized that increasing engagement in orientation was another way to increase student completion. "Students who attend new student orientation benefit from the experience; they are retained and persist," said Candace dePass, assistant director of co-curricular programs in the office of student life. Of the new students who attend orientation, over 80 percent return the following spring, compared to 60 percent of those who do not attend an orientation. After examining survey data, staff set new benchmarks for participation and revamped orientation to feature a meet and greet with student leaders, a comprehensive campus tour, workshops on topics like technology resources and mathematics success, and information about financial aid opportunities. One of the most popular additions has been the meal with faculty tailored to a student's academic interests. Faculty members join students for in- depth conversation at orientation, where they discuss what students need to know to be successful at HCC. With a ratio of 10 students per faculty member, these meals give students a no-pressure opportunity to ask questions and gain insights about college life. As dePass explains, the lunch may be a student's first interaction with a college professor; student survey results show it is successful for both students and faculty. "I loved that we were allowed to talk to teachers in our major to get a better understanding of what was expected and what will help us in the long run," said Myia Mackey, a student. "I also learned a few methods I can do to move me forward in my major a little faster." The Office of Student Life recognized that other offices across the college orient new students to campus life through activities specifically designed for students' unique needs, such as athletes, veterans, international students, and honor students. Staff collaborated with these offices to share best practices and ensure all students receive necessary information to guarantee success, and eventually completion. One example is Freshman Focus, a program that brings over 700 high school students to campus during the spring of their senior year. Student life staff worked with the program to align its key orientation activities, including the meal with faculty. As a result of these changes to orientation, the number of first-time and transfer students attending new student orientation or an orientation activity has more than doubled. Just last year, the 8 Howard Community College u Student leaders offer assistance at a new student orientation session.

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