Last week, academic advisers at A&M-Commerce were given notice that their positions were being eliminated, and that a new position called a success coach would be taking the place of academic advising.
According to Dr. Mary Hendrix, vice president for student access & success, all of the academic advisor positions were eliminated. Four success coach positions have been created in their place. The number was determined based on the existing budget.
“There had been unofficial discussions of changes, but we were told that it had not been structured as of yet,” Omar Brown, coordinator for undergraduate advising, college of business & technology, said. “We would be made aware of changes as soon as they happened.”
According to Katrina Watkins, academic adviser for the college of arts & sciences, a letter given to academic advisors stated that their positions were undergoing a reduction in force (RIF) and reorganization. The letter also explained that, while the current positions have been eliminated, as RIF employees, academic advisors would be eligible to apply for any qualified positions within the University, including the success coach positions.
Watkins has already applied for the success coach position.
“I love working for A&M- Commerce,” Watkins said. “I have a social work degree from Commerce. My daughter goes to high school here. I don’t want to leave. I have worked for the university since 2004, as a student worker, graduate assistant and now an academic adviser.”
According to Watkins, an adviser will be a great commodity if rehired into the student coach position.
“I think because academic advisers do have so much experience with the students, we will be great assets to the success coach position,” Watkins said.
Hendrix explained that that the reason behind the change is that surveys indicated that the University needed to improve student advising, reduce “run around” and provide better, consistent information to students. It is the intent of the University to provide better service to students.
“Success coaches will assist three categories of students: entering first-year students, sophomores who have not declared a major and first semester transfer students.” Hendrix said.
The search for success coaches has already been posted. It should be concluded by early May, and the new positions will begin July 1. A committee comprised of faculty and student access & success staff members, chaired by Dr. Yvonne Villanueva-Russell, will make recommendations for the current positions to Dr. Ricky Dobbs, assistant dean of the college of arts & sciences.
“My plans are to apply for a success coach position, and any other job that I might be qualified for,” Brown said. “Preferably, it will be with this university.”
According to Hendrix, the new positions will be housed in the new “one-stop shop.” After the first year, Dr. Peer, interim provost & vice president, will be working with the college deans to focus on ways to improve faculty advising.
“I am excited about the success coach position,” Watkins said. “As a success coach, I would be able to help the students become more self sufficient, and I would be a great resource. This is a positive thing.”