News
 MGC’S TERRI RECKART ATTENDS NACADA SUMMER INSTITUTE (Cochran, GA) – Terri Reckart, Student Success Advising Coordinator at Middle Georgia College, was selected to receive a Wesley R. Habley NACADA Summer Institute Scholarship. The Institute is sponsored by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Reckart attended the Institute this summer in Colorado Springs, CO for a week-long, intensive program that helps advising administrators, faculty, professional advisors, and advising program directors develop specific strategies for improvement of advising at institutions of higher learning. Reckart was one of seven individuals honored with this scholarship award in the nation-wide competition this year. “I was honored to represent Middle Georgia College as a scholarship winner at the national level”, said Reckart. Various professionals from the United States as well as international members participate in general sessions, workshops and topical sessions at each Institute to increase their understanding of the important role advising plays on campuses. Individuals are also assigned to small group discussion sessions in which individual action plans are developed which focus on the enhancement or implementation of quality programs on their campuses. Research in the area of retention concludes that the single most important contributor to student persistence is the development of strong relationships between students and members of the faculty and staff. Because advising may be the only structured service on the campus in which all students have the opportunity to develop an on-going, one-on-one relationship with a concerned member of the college community, Reckart explored ways to further advising as a major strategy for retention planning at MGC. She has instituted changes to the MGC student success advising program based on the positive feedback she received from the national experts at the Institute. Since 1983, NACADA has honored individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising. The goal of NACADA is to promote quality academic advising and professional development of itsmembership to enhance the educational development of students. NACADA’s membership consists of faculty, professional advisors, administrators, counselors, and others in academic and student affairs concerned with the intellectual, personal, and vocational needs of students. In addition, NACADA is the representative and advocate of academic advising and those providing that service to higher education. For more information about the National Academic Advising Association’s Annual Awards Program, visit www.nacada.ksu.edu. |