Williard

Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

4721 Montibello Dr. Charlotte, NC
November 9, 2015

Research Proposal
Williard Sessler





Effective communication between student
and advisors.

Williard Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

4721 Montibello Dr. Charlotte, NC 28262
November 9, 2015

Date:
November 9, 2015

To:
Dr. Robert Arnold

From:
Williard Sessler

Subject:
Request for Approval of Research Project


The purpose of my memo is to request the approval of my given research project. I
am interested in researching how students and college advisors communicate. This
research would bring insight into how advisors commonly communicate and the
best management practices for effective communication. This memo is meant to
explain why this subject interests me, outline what research I have begun, and explain
what research I would like to complete.



Current Problem:

Many students get wrongly advised on what classes to take and how best plan for
their educational career. This can be seen in large numbers of students taking longer
than four years to obtain a degree. I myself have taken classes that I didnt need
because of being poorly advised hours that looking back now could have been used
to better position myself. I believe this is a problem in the university system that
needs to be addressed. My research is meant to bring insight into this process and
provide some best management practices moving forward.


Objectives:

To better understand how advisors and students communicate to aid in determining
if the current method is effective in developing the student and the university.

Williard Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

4721 Montibello Dr. Charlotte, NC
November 9, 2015

Additionally my research is intended to give a new perspective on how advisor and
students can communicate more effectively.

Solution:

The solution is different for each individual and their unique situation. For your
proto typical freshmen though who is straight out of high school and is undeclared
lets say. For this person and many people who go to college not quite knowing what
they want it is important that they find an advisor who is willing to get to know
them. This is important because commonly people are advised to take the general
college courses while you figure it out. With better advising and guiding these
students to classes in different departments that they may be interested this would
help in retention of students who arent motivated by general classes. Advisors
connecting students to older like minded individuals who can give a different insight
into navigating their college carrer.








Schedule:

Task
Hours
Conduct Interviews with several
12
different college advisors across
different departments.
Survey Students regarding their
12
experiences with advising and what they
found to be helpful.
Research the use of peer or student
12
advising as an alternative or supplement.
Meet with advisors regarding policies
4
and training practices.
Total
40


Qualifications:

In terms of qualifications for advising I have few but I have a passion for this
particular problem because I feel a lot of people dont believe in what they go to

Williard Sessler wsessler@uncc.edu (704) 488-4406

4721 Montibello Dr. Charlotte, NC 28262
November 9, 2015

school for or what types of jobs and opportunities are in that field when they
graduate and I feel with better advise my college career could have been more
effective for me. Typically my research is involving environmental or geographic
issues so I have extensive experience in research.

Costs

There is not much cost involved in conducting my research other than travel
expenses and my time.