Office of Academic Advocacy & Graduation Success
Welcome
Welcome to the Office of Academic Advocacy and Graduation Success (AAGS) at the University of West Florida!
AAGS is dedicated to supporting undergraduate students during their first semester at UWF to graduation. Our academic advocates focus on supporting and assisting first-time in college (FTIC) and Pell student progression to graduation experience. Academic advocates also support undergraduate students who have completed an associate of arts degree and transferred from another state or community college to complete their bachelor's degree at UWF.
Some students have a straight path to graduation, but others may need support navigating challenges associated with finances, family/work responsibilities, or academic setbacks. No matter how complex the concerns, Academic Advocates will work with students to review their progress, present options toward graduation, map out a successful plan, and facilitate communication and connections with the appropriate resources so students receive the most comprehensive support. We utilize various technology platforms, like UWF's Predictive Analytics (PAM) Lab Dashboard and EAB's Navigate CRM, to monitor student progress and connect proactively with them.
Our Mission and Objectives
The Office of Academic Advocacy and Graduation Success (AAGS) is dedicated to serving undergraduate students in their pursuit of timely progression to graduation. AAGS provides central coordination for several academic outreach initiatives throughout the year. The outreach initiatives are designed to identify academic challenges and student progress, give students timely feedback, and connect students to appropriate resources. We work individually with students in academic distress to review their options and collaborate with academic departments, colleges, and university personnel to improve retention and progression to graduation.
Mission
The Office of Academic Advocacy proactively contacts our FTIC, Pell, and Transfer undergraduate students to coordinate connections to support services when challenges arise. Our team believes all students can be successful in their academic pathways while recognizing their unique circumstances require a personalized approach.
Objectives
AAGS works towards 4-year graduation goals for our FTIC student population and 3-year graduation for transfer undergraduate students, and 6-year graduation for PELL students. Graduation goals based on UWF’s accountability plan are located on the Institutional Research website.
Academic Advocates collaborate across the campus community with a broad network of offices spanning academic advising, financial aid, registrar, student business services, and student affairs. Academic Advocates also work closely with each academic college with connections to faculty and staff across all academic disciplines.
Using a coordinated care approach, undergraduate degree-seeking students identified, or those referred, who may be experiencing barriers to graduation will receive direct outreach from an Academic Advocate to address issues promptly, review their progress and options, and advise them towards graduation.
- Non-registered outreach for students who have not enrolled in courses for subsequent term
- Outreach to students in the Academic Probation Process
- Coordinated care management to connect students to appropriate university resources and services
- Guidance for students in navigating institutional policies, processes, and petitions
- Individual student appointments for academic success
- Response to individual student inquiries and faculty/staff referrals to assess and address academic matters that may be barriers to graduation
The Argo Transfer Mentor Network is a volunteer mentoring program that helps you navigate UWF as a new transfer student with a recently completed AA degree!
Participation means you will be matched with a volunteer mentor who is an experienced UWF student trained to offer guidance and advice as you acclimate to life as a UWF student. You and your mentor will connect regularly via text, phone, or email.
Office of Academic Advocacy and Graduation Success (AAGS)
11000 University Parkway
Building 53, Suite 201
Pensacola, Florida 32514