Dean of the Faculty
QEP
QEP stands for “Quality Enhancement Plan.” A QEP is a plan to implement and assess a focused set of initiatives designed to improve student learning across the university. Our QEP is Student Success through Proactive Advising.
There are three QEP Components:
First-Year Academic Advisors
Six professional advisors for first-year students have joined the Southwestern community (1 in each of the University’s academic areas and 2 generalists). All advisors are trained to work with all first-year students regardless of major but have a specialized focus in the academic area. Professional advisors are experts in best practices in advising, university policies, degree requirements, course planning, support services, and student development. First-year advisors provide a valuable mentor who can support students in the exciting, but sometimes challenging, start to college. They also introduce students to academic and co-curricular opportunities and share information about different programming, offices and support services.
New Student Case Management Software
New student case management software will be identified with the goal of providing campus community members a more holistic view of each student’s Southwestern experience along with the opportunity to foster increased communication regarding student success.
Professional Development Opportunities for Faculty/Staff Advisors
Multiple professional development opportunities related specific to proactive advising skill-building will occur on a regular basis, including at Fall Faculty Conferences.