The ATA Mini Grant program is designed to encourage and support the creation or expansion of innovative advising initiatives at Wayne State University that will enhance the delivery, experience, and effectiveness of academic advising services for its undergraduate students.
The funding can be used to support creative programs at the departmental, college, or university level and is available for either one-time programming expenses or as a way to stimulate additional funding from other sources for longer-term initiatives. Examples of initiatives might include:
- Creating targeted advising programs for distinct populations (i.e.first-generation, second-year students, probation)
- Development of innovative advising initiatives that enhance students' professional and academic engagement through mentoring, research, or experiential opportunities
- Innovative initiatives that uses technology, social media, or online approaches to reach a larger number of students in an effective way
- New programming and collaborations between advising and other student affairs units that enhances students' academic and professional understanding and engagement
Grant proposals may be submitted by WSU advising staff as individuals or as a team. Collaborative proposals are encouraged but at least one participant should have undergraduate academic advising responsibilities. Grants will be reviewed twice a year with the following deadlines:
Fall Mini Grants
Submission deadline: TBD
Grant awards announced: TBD
Winter Mini Grants
Submission deadline: TBD
Grant awards announced: TBD
Grant criteria
Grants requests should not exceed $1000. The amount of an award may be less than that requested due to limited funds available.The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:
- Positive impact on student success and academic advising
- Innovative aspects of the proposal that can serve as models for others or advance academic advising in new directions
- Evidence of collaboration among various units on campus
- Evidence of broad or continuing impact on student success or graduation
- Plan for evaluation and assessment of proposal's impact as documented in the proposal
- Clearly outlined budget and spending plan (Budget and Endorsement template)
- Endorsement of dept/unit supervisor (Budget and Endorsement template)
Grant proposals will be reviewed and awarded by a grant committee comprised of the following advisors and administrators:
Cheryl Kollin, Director, University Advising Ctr.
Kate Bernas, Advisor Training Academy
Heather Sandlin, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Solaf Shallal, Dept. of Psychology
Casey Rue, College of Engineering
Jessica Pfeiffer, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Shawntae Harris, College of Education
Jozyane Hayek, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Rebecca Russell, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Aundra Freeman, Honors College
Expectations of grant recipients
- Fall grant recipients will be expected to prepare and deliver a presentation on the advising initiative or program and its results/data at an ATA advising event in the spring or as indicated by its timeline.
- Grant recipients will also be expected to prepare a written report detailing the advising initiative and its assessment outcomes either at the conclusion of the program or as indicated by its timeline. A report template will be provided.