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Sophomore
Advisement Program
Project
SMART
Peer Advisement
Programs for International Students
Probation Workshops
Sophomore Advisement
Program
An advisement program has been
developed to address the academic and professional needs of
the sophomore class at John Jay College. With approximately
2,000 students identified as belonging to the sophomore class,
they are a large and significant part of the John Jay
community. Sophomores have been identified as a 'high-risk'
group regarding issues of retention and success. Yet, the
services that have been offered to these students are limited.
Under the direction of Cary Sanchez, an advisement
program was developed to address the academic and professional
needs of the sophomore class at John Jay College. The program
is run each semester during Sophomore Advisement Week and
consists of seven different workshops, offered during both day
and evening class periods in an effort to reach as many
students as possible. Workshops are team-led with several
counseling staff members and an invited faculty member
representing a major field of study at John Jay. The program
focuses on four man topics: academic advisement, major
advisement, available resources, and counseling services.
Academic
Advisement
Academic advisement
refers to the orientation of students to the course
requirements needed for graduation. Specifically, sophomores
are advised on the general education requirements and the
appropriate sequencing of requirements to maximize success.
The use of elective credits towards completing minor
concentrations and/or certificate programs at John Jay are
also discussed. As part of academic advisement, counseling
staff provided information on strategizing for success.
Sophomore registration. Being assigned to the
last days of registration, sophomores often find themselves
frustrated and discouraged regarding completing general
education requirements and being able to move on to the course
requirements for their major. Knowing that they will soon have
preference regarding registration as part of the junior and
senior class is frequently small consolation when all their
required classes have been closed.
Through the
program, students develop a comprehensive list of courses that
they can use during their upcoming registration. This list is
comprised of courses for which they are currently eligible to
enroll and which will assist in completing degree
requirements.
Major
Advisement
Sophomores should be
near completion of their general education requirements. They
are academically prepared to begin to complete the courses
required for their major field of study. To meet our student's
needs, we have organized the workshops according to major
fields of study. Seven workshops, including all the major
fields of study offered at John Jay, are planned for the
program each semester. Students have the opportunity to meet
with the designated advisor for their major. The advisor
reviews course requirements for the major, discusses career
related issues, and highlight academic issues important to
their department. Available resources and services in the
department are also mentioned.
John Jay Resources
During the workshop, students are provided with a list
of resources and services available at the college. John Jay
has many wonderful resources that can clearly influence
academic success. Students are given a handout of resources
with phone numbers, hours of operation, and a listing of the
services provided. A list of these resources can be found in
the John Jay College-Counseling Department Home Page under the
link titled "Resources for College Services".
Counseling Services. One of the resources that
is especially highlighted is the counseling department. This
is an invaluable services to students for discussing and
dealing with academic, professional, and personal issues.
Students are encouraged to select a counselor who can
facilitate their academic career. They are informed of the
benefits of maintaining a counselor throughout their
enrollment at John Jay.
Student Concerns
Lastly,
the workshops provide time for students to express their
concerns. Students are encouraged to discuss academic,
personal, social, and emotional concerns that interfere in
their academic success and their desire to complete their
education. Issues of motivation and perseverance are
discussed, and appropriate strategies for success are planned.
Agenda for
Sophomore Advisement Workshops
- Welcome
Introduction
to workshop
Outline goals of workshop
- Academic Advisement Review
Strategizing for success
Being prepared for
registration
Graduation Requirements
General Education
Requirements
Elective Credits
Minor concentration
Certificate programs
- Major Presentation
Review of
course requirements
Pertinent academic issues related to
major/department
Career Issues
Career opportunities
- Resources and
services available at John Jay
Handout
of services
Reformulating student's concept of tutoring
- Counseling Department
Promoting retention through counseling
services
Availability of services
Selecting a
counselor to work with throughout academic career
- Questions/Answers
Student Concerns
Academic
Personal
Social
Emotional
- Survey
Assessing sophomore
needs
Usefulness of workshop
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Project SMART
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Peer Advisement
Students Helping Students
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Faculy Advisor:
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Professor Suzanne Iasenza
Professor Laurie Richardson
Professor Cary Sanchez
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History of the Peer Advising
Program
As John Jay
enrollment has increased and student services have expanded,
the need for additional support services for students has
become increasingly necessary. As at other colleges, John Jay
has responded by utilizing selected students as
paraprofessionals within the Division of Student Development.
The Peer Advising Program was developed by faculty in
the Department of counseling to provide additional support
services for students who may appreciate having the option of
discussing concerns with other students in addition to having
access to professional counselors. Peer Advisors provide
assistance utilizing listening skills, exploration of goals,
decision making, understanding and support and referral to
professional faculty counselors.
Since 1986,
approximately 300 students have been trained as Peer Advisors
who have provided hundreds of hours of quality service to John
Jay students.
Roles & Responsibilities of Peer
Advisors
Peer Advisors
are trained and supervised in providing the following services
to students:
* Lead Freshman Orientation
Groups
* Serve as Academic Programmers for entering
and second-semester freshmen.
* Develop and deliver
workshops to students on issues such as time management,
self-esteem, career development, and healthy
relationships.
*
Develop workshops, participate in
programming, provide advising, and make referrals to outside
resources for the Women's Center.
* Serve as mentors to
first year students.
* Assist transfer
students, readmission students, and returning students in
readjusting to the college environment.
* Educate
students about college rules and regulations, academic
requirements and college services.
* Serve as role models
helping students learn appropriate behaviors within the
College environment.
* Provide outreach to
student experiencing personal or academic
difficulties.
* Help students connect with services inside
and outside the College.
What Peer Advisors are NOT!
Peer Advisors are not providers of
psychological services and are trained to refer students who
are experiencing psychological difficulties to faculty
counselors.
Peer Advisors are not decision makers for
students, rather they help them identify options and possible
consequences.
Peer Advisors are not replacements for
professional faculty counselors nor are they clerical support
staff.
Peer Advisors are not academic tutors, although
the possibility to provide such services are left up to the
individual Peer Advisor.
Qualifications of Peer Advisors
Potential Peer Advisors must have at least
30 credits of college coursework (two semesters of which must
have been completed at John Jay College), Maintain at least a
3.0 GPA, submit one faculty recommendation, and participate in
an interview process conducted by Counseling Department
faculty. Interviews for students who wish to become Peer
Advisors are held in the beginning of each fall
semester.
Peer Advisors should especially be interested
in helping other students and servicing the College Community.
Additionally, students must be both mature and academically
successful. The Program is ideal for day students (the
training and practicum courses meet Mondays and Wednesdays,
4th period) planning to work in the field of psychology,
counseling and social service.
Students who qualify to
become Peer Advisors complete 6 credits of coursework:
CSL 210-01 (Peer Counseling
Training) and, upon the
recommendation of instructor(s), CSL 211-01 (Peer counseling Practicum). The first course, given in the Spring
semester, teaches students basic counseling skills and
techniques as well as current issues in mental health and
counseling. In the Fall semester the practicum experience
offers supervision and additional training to Peer Advisors
who provide at least 3 hours per week of individual and group
support services to students. Peer Advisors who are interested
in developing their skills further may complete an internship
within the Department of Counseling following the completion
of the practicum course.
Want to be Peer Advisor?
If you fulfill the criteria above make an
appointment to meet with the Faculty
Coordinator of Peer Advising Services, by calling 212 237
8111.
Can a Peer
Advisor Help Me?
Being
a college student can be challenging and sometimes difficult
experience. Being in a new place, making new friends, feeling
uncertain about academic requirements can, at times, feel
overwhelming. Peer Advisors, having succeeded at John Jay
College foe many years, can offer information and support when
it is most needed.
Can a Peer Advisor help me? Take
this brief test: (Which apply to you?)
-I don't know
what classes to take next semester.
-I can't seem to get
down to studying.
-I don't know anyone at John Jay.
-I
am having problems with my professors.
-I don't get along
with my parents.
-I don't get support from my girlfriend,
boyfriend, spouse or partner.
-I don't know how to balance
school, work and family responsibilities.
-I don't know how
to deal with another student at school.
-I can't seem to
pass my exams.
-I don't have anyone to talk to.
-I don't
know what student services exist at John Jay.
If you
can relate to at least one of these statements or have a
concern that is not mentioned here, it's time to visit a Peer
Advisor. Visit the Counseling Information Office, room 3140N
or call 212 237 8111 to schedule an appointment.
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Programs for
International Students
The International Student Club
is dedicated to providing assistance to the international
student population of John Jay College of Criminal Justice,
providing a friendly environment for students to meet, and
providing special services to assist students in their
adjustment to the American college lifestyle. Some of the
topics explored in previous meeting include the following:
College Support Services; Making New Friends; Street Smarts
for city living and more.
All regular members must
be currently registered and matriculated. The group meets
twice a month (usually every other Wednesday at 3:30 PM). For
more information contact the International Student Club's
faculty advisor, Professor Katherine Stavranainopoulos at
(212) 237-8146; or the Club's President, Steven Seow at (212)
237-8019.
The International Student Conference
takes place in October. The purpose of the Conference is
to offer students and faculty / staff various information on a
number of topics related to immigration and international
students. A series of workshops geared specifically to
students and faculty / staff is also offered. Some of the
workshops offered in the 1998 Conference included the
following topics:
Student Workshops
Employment Based Visas for Graduating Students
Employment Authorization for F-1 Students
City Living
Faculty Workshops
International Students'
Adjustment to the United States
Increasing your Awareness
of Needs for Second Language Learners
Our New Immigrants:
Bilingual or Monolingual
For more information on this year's conference,
please contact Professor Katherine Stavrianopoulos at (212)
237 8146.
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Probation Workshops
In order to be considered in
"good academic standing" a student's cumulative grade point
average should be above a 2.0. Students with cumulative
indexes that fall below the required minimum may be placed on
academic probation for one academic year. During this
probationary period, students who make satisfactory academics
progress will continue to maintain their academic standing
with the College. Students who do not make adequate progress
are dismissed form college. Upon dismissal, a student must
remain separated from the University for at least one year.
Each semester student's transcripts are evaluated by
the Academic Review Committee and students placed on academic
probation are urged to attend one probation Workshop, in
addition to follow-up counseling sessions. This program is
geared specifically to address the concerns of students on
academic probation and provide strategies for success. During
the workshops counselors focus on the following:
* What is academic probation?
* Services and resources available for
academic support
*
Factors that contribute to
academic difficulties
*
Setting goals to enhance
academic progress
If
you know you are on or at risk of academic probation, seek
counseling as soon as possible.
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