The Navigator program is an Academic Support Embedded Service that creates accessible and equitable opportunities for student success. As a resource in the course, Navigators are able to not only interact directly with students, but provide them with the guidance and resources needed to be successful. This program helps students persist in their courses by providing tools on-demand such as technical support and connecting them with college-wide resources.
A Navigator is a non-content point of contact for students as students take courses in different instructional modalities:
For example, Navigators can assist students with using tools like Canvas 🐼, Zoom and other third party instructional technology and connecting them to college resources like tutoring, student services and library resources. Navigators strive to promote academic access and personalized services in your courses.
Overview of the Navigator Program
The Nature of the Navigator Program
The nature of the program allows the Navigators to support Waubonsee’s commitment to equity and inclusion by providing holistic access to college-wide resources. Using a just-in-time approach, Navigators are embedded to be able to assist students with bridging the digital divide, acquiring institutional knowledge, and preparing for college.
Program History and Current Data
The target courses were Developmental Education and gateway courses. During the initial pilot program, the navigator was embedded into two developmental math courses (Summer 2020). The navigator assisted with third-party materials for the courses, answered technology questions, and helped students with non-content related questions. The pilot was extended for several years due to COVID-19.
Our navigators assist in the following divisions: Academic Support, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Technology and Workforce Education and Adult Education. Navigators will be assigned to several courses, including:
High DFWI courses;
accelerated programs;
and other courses in which faculty request navigators.
The Navigator program has continued to embed individuals into these high-need areas in order to provide connection to content and non-content resources. In AY 2020-2021, only 89 sections had navigators. In AY 2021-2022, that increased to 258 navigator-embedded sections. And, in AY 2022-2023, navigators were placed in 364 sections. This is an average of a 115.5% increase in sections since the start of the program in Summer 2020.
Additionally, in Spring 2022, navigators were embedded in at least one section of 20% of the high DFWI courses listed. In Spring 2023, this increased to being embedded in at least one section of 32% of high DFWI courses.
Key Roles in the Navigator Program
Manager
A primary point-of-contact and resource for Academic Support Embedded Services: Navigators and instructors interested in the service.
Navigator
Academic Support Staff will serve as this embedded service.
Course Instructor
The instructor for the course that houses a navigator. This program is designed to help with retention in a course, along with giving students the tools and resources needed to be successful in that course. In this collaborative role:
Involvement is critical to champion this program
Building an academic relationship with the navigator is important
Outside-of-Course Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations
Attend a monthly meeting with the program manager to train, discuss courses, and look opportunities to improve the program
Trained on TutorTrac through our Tutoring Center to summarize and outline activities, interactions and happenings within a course, including problems and solutions.
Consult regularly with Academic Support to coordinate additional support needed for students and courses
Desired Competencies or Skills
Highly adaptable and creative in addressing student needs
Resourcefulness, with excellent problem solving and research skills
Requires empathy, compassion, and an understanding of the cultural and social backgrounds within the Waubonsee community
Excellent communication and the ability to establish trusting relationships
Excellent presentation skills in speaking with various audiences
Proactive and detailed oriented
Able to learn, adapt, and utilize new technology quickly
Open to change and new methods in the assigned areas of responsibilities
Ability to participate in a team-based approach to student success
Knowledge of support services available at Waubonsee
Bilingual in Spanish/English strongly preferred
Knowledge of academic content of assigned discipline preferred
Resources and Support for Navigators
General Resources
The Navigator will have multiple resources available to help students with their academic wellness.
All students will have access to a Waubonsee’s Student Directory on the main webpage, which has a variety of information and resources for students.
The manager and coordinator will be available to support our employees serving in the Navigator role.
Information will also be provided on Teams.
Navigators may also utilize the following resources for support:
A faculty member can add a Navigator to a course by following these steps:
Select People on the navigation menu:
Click on the +People button:
Select and Enter the email address or X-ID of the Navigator, select Navigator from the Role dropdown, complete any remaining preferences, and select Next:
The Navigator should then be added to the course.
Steps to Becoming a Navigator
Once a faculty member volunteers to have an Navigator in their course, a Navigator completes the following steps:
Receives Onboarding and online training through Canvas with an assessment confirming knowledge and skill for the program
Participates in an individualized meeting to discuss the role, logistics, and specific classroom assignments or department assignments (i.e. STEM or Liberal Arts)
Meets with the faculty member to identify opportunities to help students
Participates in initial and ongoing trainings/meetings throughout the duration of the semester. Topics of study/training may include the following items: