The document describes the development and implementation of an online intervention program called STARS at Georgia Southern University. STARS was created to better communicate with struggling students, collect student data, and provide academic resources. It includes modules on topics like time management and goal setting. Usage data shows students access the additional resources and materials. The program aims to have a positive impact on student recovery and retention. Going forward, the university hopes to adopt STARS more widely and incorporate academic action plans for students.

1. Improved Intervention Strategies
Through the Use of Social Media & Technology
Jay Pollett, Advisor Lisa Vance, Coordinator

2. The Challenge of Intervention…..

3. Session Overview
• Overview of COST Advisement Center
• Overview of Current Intervention Strategies
• The Development of STARS
• Goals of STARS
• Brief Demonstration of STARS
• Results of STARS
• Future of STARS

4. Georgia Southern University
• Regional Comprehensive University
• Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution
• Enrollment Fall 2011: 20,288
– College of Science and Technology:
• Undergraduates: 3520
• Advised in Center: 1917

5. Overview of the COST Advisement Center
• The College of Science & Technology (COST) Advisement
Center
• Advises Freshman & Sophomore Students in 12
Academic Areas
• Fall 2011: 1736 Students
• Spring 2012: 1645 Students
• Fall 2011 Probation: 178 Students
• Spring 2012 Probation: 324 Students

6. Overview of the COST Advisement Center
• Centralized office with Faculty, Professional advisors and
Career Specialist
• Intrusive advisement model
• Intervention for at-risk students
• On-site career counseling
• Targeted programming for advisees

7. Communication Through Technology
• Google Apps (Email, Calendar, Docs, Forms, etc.)
• COST Website
• Appointment-Plus
• Online Newsletter
• Information Monitor
• FaceBook
• Twitter
• GeorgiaView (Blackboard)

8. Student Population Advised
Male Female
Freshman 63% 37%
Sophomore 61% 39%

9. Student Population Advised

10. Demographics of Academically At-Risk Population
Freshmen Sophomores
Male Female Male Female
AA or Black 39% 49% 49% 85%
Asian 2% 0% 1% 0%
Hispanic 8% 4% 6% 0%
White 48% 40% 41% 15%
Other 2% 4% 0% 0%
Unknown 1% 3% 3% 0%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

11. The Need for Intervention
Freshman Retention
(10/15/09 – 10/15/10)
-IPEDS Report

12. The Need for Intervention
Graduation (6-Year)

13. Further Data Supporting the Need for Intervention

14. Intervention Strategies Used:
For students with unsatisfactory midterm grades:
• Email with tutoring information & schedule
• Individual meeting for 2 or more U grades
• Midterm grade form
• Student concern form
• Success tips
• Study skills and time management information

15. Intervention Strategies Used:
For students on Probation:
• Referral to Academic Success Center
• Individual intervention meeting
• Invitation to attend a Workshop
• Individual needs survey
• Completion of Academic Action Plan

16. The Development of STARS
• Advisement Center needed an online student-support
program for students who were struggling academically.
• No intervention system in place for distance-learners
and/or re-admit students.
• Advisement Center needed an additional tool for
communicating with students.
• Online program went through 3 phases of development:
– Google Forms
– Google Site
– GeorgiaView (Blackboard)

17. The Development of STARS
• The Blackboard format has several advantages over other
attempts
• 1st Advantage: Students are already familiar with
GeorgiaView.
• 2nd Advantage: GeorgiaView is accessible to faculty, staff,
and students at no additional cost.
• 3rd Advantage: Georgia Southern University has IT
support for any problems/issues/concerns with the use
of GeorgiaView.
• 4th Advantage: GeorgiaView possesses the ability to
incorporate social media such as YouTube.

18. Goals of STARS
1. STARS will be an effective means of communication
between students and advisement staff.
2. STARS will assist in data collection by streamlining
efforts.
3. STARS will assist students in areas of concern by
promoting literature and research findings.
4. STARS will incorporate social media such as YouTube in
order for students to learn by using familiar
technologies.
5. STARS will have a positive impact on the recovery of
COST students.

19. Overview of STARS
• Steps Toward Academic Recovery & Success
• Nine (9) Student-Support Modules
• Quizzes for each module.
• Link to our Appointment-Plus sign-up page
• Link to COST Advisement Center homepage
• Links to Georgia Southern University resource centers
• “Additional Resources” module
• STARS Feedback Survey

20. What does STARS look like?

21. What Does STARS look like?

22. • Content can go in this space

23. Student Usage
Statistic Value
Total user sessions: 1468
Average user session length: 0:13:52
Average user sessions per day: 10
Average user sessions per day on weekdays: 11
Average user sessions per day on weekends: 5
Most active day: 23-Aug-11
Least active day: 8-Oct-11
Most active hour of the day: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Least active hour of the day: 4:00 AM - 5:00 AM

24. “Additional Resources” Use by Students
File Percent of Total
12 Things I Wish My Students Knew - 1st Things 1st 7.69%
Academic Advisement Tips 7.69%
Components of a Degree Program 5.77%
Components of a Degree Program 13.46%
Degrees & Majors 7.69%
Get Involved in Undergraduate Research 5.77%
Get Organized!!! 9.62%
How Goal Setting Leads to Academic Success 13.46%
Registration Terminology 9.62%
Statesboro Area Volunteer Agencies 13.46%
Volunteering: Everyone's Doing It 3.85%
Withdrawing From A Class 1.92%
100.00%

25. STARS Data Collection

26. STARS Data Collection

27. STARS Data Collection

28. STARS Data Collection

29. STARS Data Collection

30. STARS Data Collection

31. STARS Data Collection

32. The Future of STARS
• Campus-Wide Approach to Intervention
– Advisement Center Level
– Each Center has their own intervention methods
– Mission Statement
– Three (3) Tiers of Intervention: Proactive, Active,
Reactive
• Academic Action Plan
– Three Pilot Versions (COBA, COST, CLASS)
– Designed for more Student Accountability while
providing a pathway to success