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1. Advising Special Populations:
Pathway to Success
Elizabeth Carrillo
Associate Director
Shirley Caballero
Senior Academic Advisor
Undergraduate Education
Academic Advising Center
Florida International University
Brett Ellis
Graduate Assistant

2. • Fold the paper in half.
• Rip off a corner.
• Fold in half again.
• Rip off a corner.
• Fold in half again.
• Rip off a corner.
Activity

3. • Who Are We?
• Undergraduate Education: Exploratory Studies
• Graduation Success Initiative
• Summer B Program
• Articulation Agreement
• Transfer Guides
• Campus Partners
• Closing the Gap
• What Matters Most?
• Final Thoughts
Overview

4. Undergraduate Education
• Advise Exploratory Students
• Freshmen
• Transfers
• Redirection
• Teach Exploratory courses
• SLS 1402: Discover Your Major
• SLS 3407: Major & Career Exploration
• Walk-ins & appointments

5. Exploratory Studies @ FIU
• Uncertain of major choice or options
• Applied to “Selective Admissions” programs
• Learn about all majors before making a decision
• Gain better understanding of interests, skills, & values

7. GSI: Graduation Success Initiative
Designed to help student succeed academically
 Helps find academic home
 Provides a clear path to success
 Gives immediate feedback and support on progress

8. MyMajorMatch
PROGRAM BACHELOR’S
Psychology 2,548
Hospitality 2,035
International Business 2,022
Business Administration/Mgt. 1,957
Finance 1,772
Criminal Justice 1,513
Communication 1,175
Biology 1,096
Nursing 965
Accounting 964
Top 10 Majors

9. MyMajor.fiu.edu
Major Map:
Programs of study that show what
courses to take each semester in
order to graduate in 4 years

10. •Opportunity to prepare for Fall courses
•Students enroll in 3 classes for 7 credits
•Course options based on:
• Test scores
• High School UW GPA
• Major
Summer B Program

11. • Finances
•Class size
• Proximity to MDC campus
•Time constraints
• Family/personal responsibilities
• Work hours
• Transfer Guides
Florida Statewide 2+2 Articulation Agreement
MDC FIU
Per Credit $82.78 $203.59
3 credit course $248.34 $610.77
http://admissions.fiu.edu/costs-and-aid/index.htmlhttp://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/tuition.aspx

12. Math courses
depend on major
and ALEKS score!
Not all students
need Algebra,
Trigonometry, or
Calculus

13. Disability Resource Center
• Referral  Access Consultant
• Foreign Language
• Math Substitution for the Core
• Alternative course(s)
• Redirection
Campus Partners
Center for Academic Success
• Testing (PERT/Accuplacer)
• Tutoring & Writing Center
• Reading & Learning Assessments
Counseling & Psychological Services
• Individual, Group, & Couples Counseling
• 24 Hour Emergency Hotline
• Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors
LGBTQA Initiatives
• Student 1:1 counseling
• LGBTQA Mentors Program
• Community outreach programs
• Offer awareness programs and
workshops: LGBT 101 and Safe Zone training
• Advocate for inclusive campus policies
• Transgender and Intersectional education

14. Get Parents Involved!
• Collaborate with teachers for Parent Teacher Conferences
• Provide Fact Sheets, Handouts (Online & Send with students)
• Host workshops for parents
• Make encouraging phone calls
Closing the GAP with CAP
One of the highest predictors of students’ enrollment in
college is the influence of their parents. (Bergerson, 2009)

15. What Matters Most?

16. Money Matters
In a study done by the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative:
• 37% of 11th and 12th grade students could not estimate the price of tuition
and fees.
• 28% percent of their parents could not estimate the price of tuition and fees.
(National Postsecondary Education Cooperative, 2007)
Ways to Help:
• Bring in a FAFSA/Financial Aid expert for a workshop
• Do scholarship research & encourage students to do the same
Lower-income families often overestimate the costs of attending
college and underestimate the amount of financial aid that is
available to their students. (Bergerson, 2009)

17. Supportive Strategies:
• Newsletters
• Post acceptance letters in office/classroom/hallway
• College fairs, visits, have teachers speak about their college
experience
• Write recommendation letters
• Language and messaging/Encouragement
• Build relationships with college Advisors & Admissions Counselors
• Scaffolding/Developing autonomy
• Encourage AP/Dual enrollment courses (if available)
What Matters Most?

18. • What is an “appropriate institution” for student?
• Cost of attendance
• Academic programs
• Location & Size
• Support services
• Reach Out & Make Connections
• “Warm Hand-Off” = increased likeliness for student to follow-up
Final Thoughts

19. Thank You!
Elizabeth Carrillo, M.S.
(305) 348-2892
Carrille@fiu.edu
Shirley Caballero, M.A.
(305) 348-4275
SCaballero@fiu.edu
Brett Ellis
Breellis@fiu.edu