Presentation: Elevating Student Success through Academic Advising Enterprise Enhancement
Abstract: Executing large-scale organizational changes is difficult, especially in public higher education institutions where many stakeholders often need to arrive at consensus to effect change. California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) analyzed different resources that could meet the goals outlined in the CSU system’s GI2025 Initiative, an ambitious plan to increase graduation rates, eliminate equity gaps in degree completion, and meet California’s workforce needs. Through a collaborative process with team members at all levels within the university, it was evident that revitalizing the university’s academic advising enterprise would be the a key catalyst of change.
The Cal State Fullerton academic advising project team sought to architect this transformative endeavor leveraging best practices in change and project management. Through a collaborative, iterative process, the project team designed a new academic advising organizational structure to increase student retention, close equity gaps, address staff training inconsistencies, foster advancement opportunities for staff, and create a consistent student experience across seven colleges. Through cross-division collaboration, the academic advising project team partnered with members of the university community to share the importance enterprise level change project to garner interest and support.
Throughout the change management process, the Cal State Fullerton academic advising project team had several touchpoints which influenced the project plan and success of this project. Presentation attendees will discover how the project team identified resources to meet strategic, system level objectives, created a project plan to foster organizational change, and discuss lessons learned should they wish to conduct a similar exercise at their organization.
PMI Talent Triangle: Strategic and Business Management (Business Acumen)
Biography: Yuying Tsong serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Success since July 2022. They earned their Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California and B.S. in Agricultural Economics from National Taiwan University. They previously served as the Director of the University Honors Program and a Full Professor in the Department of Human Services. Nationally, Dr. Tsong serves on the American Psychological Association Board of Convention Affairs and is Past President of the Society for the Psychology of Women. Dr. Tsong’s research and professional activities center on help-seeking and well-beings, especially in minoritized communities, Asian American mental health, body wellness, and intergenerational care. Trained as a scientist-practitioner, Dr. Tsong’s experiences also included providing psychological services in University Counseling Center and community mental health agencies and learning disability assessment at University Disability Support Services. Dr. Tsong has been recognized nationally and on campus for their work with students.
