Conference presentation
Navigating student support challenges in pathway diploma programs
NAEEA Conference 2024: Shaping the Future of our Discipline, 7th (Darwin, Australia, 02/12/2024–03/12/2024)
02/12/2024
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Abstract
Supporting students’ academic success is an ongoing concern in higher education. Diploma programs present distinct challenges for student support due to their unique structure. Commencing Southern Cross University diploma students take diploma-specific units managed by SCU College; later units are managed by other University faculties. Consequently, maintaining direct contact with students beyond their initial terms of study becomes difficult and our ability to embed ongoing support into faculty units is limited.
At SCU College, students in Diploma programs are supported through College Connect (CC): a dedicated strategy intended to develop academic skills through scheduled support sessions and self-directed online materials. Previously, CC was linked to an academic literacies unit taken by all Diploma students in theirfirst term, with access provided only during this term. However, engagement with CC sessions and the website was low, decreasing throughout the term. Students were also unsupported in subsequent faculty-managed units. To address this, CC was decoupled from the academic literacies unit for 2024. Sessions are now provided to all Diploma students regardless of term of study, while online support materials have been reorganised to focus on three support avenues: academic, university/ life and social.
After implementation of the revised CC structure, we gathered engagement data and student feedback on preferred support services. Student feedback highlighted a desire for additional academic support. However, despite increased website tra c, student engagement in CC sessions remains limited. Consequently, challenges remain regarding how best to support Diploma students while being cognisant of their complex lives and commitments.
Details
- Title
- Navigating student support challenges in pathway diploma programs
- Creators
- Michael Brickhill Dr - Southern Cross UniversityRikki Quinn Dr - Southern Cross UniversityLiz Goode Dr - Southern Cross University
- Conference
- NAEEA Conference 2024: Shaping the Future of our Discipline, 7th (Darwin, Australia, 02/12/2024–03/12/2024)
- Identifiers
- 991013341489902368
- Academic Unit
- SCU College; Office of the PVC (Academic Quality)
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation