English

Department
Faculty
Advising
Advising as TEaching & Learning
Through advising, we want students...
✗ to value the learning process
✗ to learn and use decision-making strategies
✗ to put the college experience into perspective
✗ to set and evaluate priorities
✗ to develop thinking and learning skills
✗ NACADA Core Values

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It’s More Than Scheduling
✗ Advising conversations that extend beyond course selection, scheduling
and registration into “bigger ideas” are those that students find most
helpful and contribute to student persistence
✗ Ask the “why, what and how?”
✗ What are your goals for your education?
✗ Can you share with me why you’ve chosen your major?
✗ What skills are you developing? What do you believe you need to
develop and how will you do this?

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Transfer Triage Video

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 Fall Semester

August ● Advising Team Meeting

September ● Optional Advising Refresher Training

October ● Students Assigned

● First contact made with advisees

November ● Advising
● Second contact made with advisees

December ● Advising
● Last contact made with advisees

Winter Semester

January ● Advising Team Meeting

February ● Students Assigned

● First contact made with advisees

March ● Advising
● Second contact made with advisees

April ● Advising
● Last contact made with advisees

May ● Advising Team Meeting

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Let’s Practice - Scenario 1
Hi,

My name is Tyla Rivas I am a new student at GRCC this next semester and I could really use your help
in deciding my classes as I have chosen to change my major. I was previously a nursing major but after
a lot of thought, I've decided to make a complete switch and change to an English major with an
emphasis in Language and Literature along with a minor in marketing. My goal is to go into publishing;
specify commissioning editor along with being a freelance editor. So far I have chosen the Pre-English
Literature AA, (General Transfer) I'm just not sure if it is the right choice if I plan to transfer to GVSU
and only nine of the classes that I would be taking for this pathway will transfer over to GVSU English
Major requirements. If you could help me in any way that would be greatly appreciated. I am eagerly
waiting for your response.

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 Next STeps
✗ Gathered my thoughts
✗ Compose an email to Erin Busscher
✗ After receiving response looked at
our Pre-Writing AA and the transfer
course from GVSU
✗ Responded to the student - copied
and pasted Erin’s response and
added the research that I did
I agree - Literature is not the way to go for publishing. This degree will not align with the degree she
needs to GVSU which would be their writing degree. The Pre-writing AA is a much better fit. Here is
a link to GVSU's writing degree:
https://www.gvsu.edu/catalog/2020-2021/program/bachelor-of-arts-or-bachelor-of-science-in-writing
.htm
There are two resources you can use at GVSU to help choose classes:
1. Transfer Guides:
https://www.gvsu.edu/admissions/curriculum-index.htm?schoolId=AB5BCC08-C130-2738-44CFCE
A81FD3A0C6&programId=AB5D5303-9DA9-2372-49ADE67968FFA9A0
2. Course by Course Transfer: https://www.gvsu.edu/studentapps/mtn/
Students can earn a B.A. or a B.S. and they only need foreign language if they plan to earn a B.A.
I am curious to see what you think as you look at this - I wonder how many classes we have that
don't transfer for writing? I cannot image there are a lot that won't transfer since we teach the
freshman/sophomore level. But if you do see gaps that may help you know what courses may need
to be developed. (Maybe you can create a cool new class we don't have yet)?! (with all of your
spare time, of course LOL)
I hope this helps!
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Let’s Practice - Scenario 2
Hello!

My name is Connor Sanford, I used to go to GRCC and then transferred to GVSU for secondary
education. My studies were not going well so I took some time off from my classes at GVSU in order to
reorient myself. I had gotten accepted into the Futures for Frontliners program during this time and was
interested in attending GRCC again to obtain a two year degree before returning to GVSU to finish my
studies there.

I am trying to figure out what program to enroll in at GRCC under the F4F program to obtain a degree
that will best serve me in my studies at GVSU. My plan is to return for an english major in secondary
education at GVSU. I was previously on a math major track for sec education, but my interests have
changed.

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Next STeps
✗ Suggested to student:
✗ Reviewed pathway ✗ look into the Pre-English
information Literature pre-major at
✗ Viewed the GVSU GRCC
transfer plan for ✗ Double check classes
secondary education needed for GVSU to find
matches
✗ Meet with academic advisor
✗ Follow-up with me after
enrolled in pre-major

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TIps
What I’ve learned in my years of advising:
● You don’t have to have all the answers! Just know
the right questions and where to refer students
● It’s an invitation to explore the possibilities
● “Do no harm”
● Remember that it’s a shared, contractual
arrangement between student and faculty
● “It takes a village!” Know your referral system!
Help students to make cross campus and
community connections.

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