Online Academic Counseling: Examining the Experiences of California Community College Counselors in Online Student Services

ISBN-10
ISBN-13
9798538105427
Category
COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-
Pages
146
Language
English
Published
2021
Author
Cathy Fernandez

Description

Abstract: This mixed-methods dissertation examines the experiences of academic counselors in the California community college (CCC) system who have provided distance/online counseling. As online education increases and is seen as a way to provide access to higher education at a lower cost to institutions, the need for online support services such as counseling is also increasing. Essential to student academic success is the utilization of counselors, yet we know little of the effectiveness of online support services such as academic counseling. Additionally, the process of accessing online student support services can be more difficult as these supports were limited at many CCCs prior to COVID-19. Research participants completed a 6-week online college counseling course provided by the Online Counseling Network (OCN) that led to an online counseling certificate. This program is managed by California Virtual Campus - Online Education Initiative (CVC-OEI) and funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). Participants (n = 61) completed a Counselor Online Experience Survey and a subset (n = 20) participated in focus groups in an effort to answer the research questions posed in this study. Using the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA): The Global Community for Academic Advising, Academic Advising Core Competencies (AACC) Model as the conceptual framework, this study found that CCC academic counselors providing distance/online counseling had a positive experience with online counseling and found that the online counseling training was useful, and counselors felt confident in their abilities to provide effective online counseling services. Recommendations include offering blended services on a consistent basis at CCC institutions and the suggestion that the CCCCO and the statewide academic senate support the return of the CCC academic counselor statewide committee and support the creation of a counselor conference to share best practices.

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