Williard

Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

4721 Montibello Dr. Charlotte, NC
November 9, 2015

Williard Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

November 9, 2015

Date:
November 9, 2015

To:
Dr. Robert Arnold

From:
Williard Sessler

Subject:
Request for Approval of Research Project


The purpose of my memo is to request the approval of my given research project. I
am interested in researching how students and college advisors communicate. This
research would bring insight into how advisors commonly communicate and the
best management practices for effective communication. This memo is meant to
explain why this subject interests me, outline what research I have begun, and explain
what research I would like to complete.



Current Problem:

Many students get wrongly advised on what classes to take and how best plan for
their educational career. This can be seen in large numbers of students taking longer
than four years to obtain a degree. I myself have taken classes that I didnt need
because of being poorly advised hours that looking back now could have been used
to better position myself. I believe this is a problem in the university system that
needs to be addressed. My research is meant to bring insight into this process and
provide some best management practices moving forward.


Objectives:

To better understand how advisors and students communicate to aid in determining
if the current method is effective in developing the student and the university.
Additionally my research is intended to give a new perspective on how advisor and
students can communicate more effectively in the future.

Williard Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

4721 Montibello Dr. Charlotte, NC
November 9, 2015

Solution:

The solution is different for each individual and their unique situation. For your
proto typical freshmen though who is straight out of high school and is undeclared
lets say. For this person and many people who go to college not quite knowing what
they want it is important that they find an advisor who is willing to get to know
them. This is important because commonly people are advised to take the general
college courses while you figure it out. With better advising and guiding these
students to classes in different departments that they may be interested this would
help in retention of students who arent motivated by general classes. Advisors can
connect students to older like-minded individuals who can give a different insight
into navigating their college career. A advising system should be in place where
students and advisors can review notes from previous appointments a open forum
where the student may be able to ask a simple question without coming into the
office something like would English 2116 be a good class for me to take this year or
should I wait till senior year maybe. Also I dont think your academic advisor should
stop at advising you want classes to take but also give you suggestions and
connections for internship and research opportunities. Advisors should be
measured across multiple on a by student basis to identify what type of students
work best with certain advisors. Advising is a personal connection and the strength
of that connection has a strong ability to positively or negatively affect a students
educational career and life.






Schedule:

Task
Hours
Conduct Interviews with several
12
different college advisors across
different departments.
Survey Students regarding their
12
experiences with advising and what they
found to be helpful.
Research the use of peer or student
12
advising as an alternative or supplement.
Meet with advisors regarding policies
4
and training practices.
Total
40

Williard Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

November 9, 2015


Qualifications:

In terms of qualifications for advising I have few but I have a passion for this
particular problem. I feel a lot of people dont believe in what they go to school for
or know what types of jobs and opportunities are available in that field when they
graduate. I personally believe that with better advising my college career could have
been more effective for me. So I believe that my energy to solve this problem for
others and my research background in the sciences has prepared me to do conduct
this study and look for positive solutions.

Costs

There is not many hard cost involved in conducting my research other than travel
expenses and time.