A cohesive Student Support model provides integrated support to at risk students at a regional Australian university

Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Konovalov, Elena;Sealey, Rebecca;Munns, Suzanne
Abstract

Australian Universities have developed programs to improve the retention and success of students with traditionally low participation rates. This study describes the role of the student support officer (SSO). This non-teaching position links the academic and non-academic support roles in targeted first year subjects. SSOs monitored students' attendance and performance and used a learning management system to identify students at risk of attrition or failure. 51% of targeted students had contact with an SSO, with contact initiated by the SSO 86% of the time. Not attending classes was the most common trigger for SSO initiated contact. Student feedback on the SSO role was very positive, with most students finding the services important and helpful and stating that they would recommend the services to a friend. We show that the SSO role provides an easily accessible, integrated and holistic referral service which delivers support to at risk students.

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STARS 2017: Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success Conference

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10

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Adelaide, SA, Australia

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Unistars.org

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Adelaide, SA, Australia

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