Scaling Up for Student Success: Deploying Starfish Success Plans to Support Advising for Academic Improvement

Keywords: 

Student Success Training and Development Advising Special Populations

Abstract: 

One of the core challenges of implementing an academic improvement program is not about knowing what is/is not effective but about scaling up with consistency so a larger population of students benefit from proven practices. At two Penn State campuses, using Starfish academic improvement Success Plans increased consistency and effectiveness in student support while also streamlining adviser workload by automating communication, creating early touchpoints, and potentially heading off more intensive interventions. This session will showcase the local development and deployment of Starfish success plans for academic improvement at campuses. Program leaders will demonstrate how to use Success Plans in work with students on academic warning and will reflect on outcomes a year after success plans were implemented, including lessons learned, enhancements, and data on advising contacts and academic standing outcomes. 

Date: 

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - 1:45pm to 2:45pm

Location: 

Room 208

Presenter(s): 

Erin M. Shumac, M.A.

Title: 
Student Success Advocate and Starfish Tenant Administrator. Student Success Center
Institution: 
Penn State Altoona

Daniel Mercado, M.S.

Title: 
Director. Academic Support and Advising Services
Institution: 
Penn State Harrisburg

Adrianne Lindeman

Title: 
Academic Adviser. Lambert Undergraduate Advising Center
Institution: 
Penn State Harrisburg