“Walkabout” for Success
HARPER COLLEGE
Center for New Students and Orientation
1200 W. Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60067
847-925-6208
Vicki Atkinson, Assistant Professor
[email protected]
Linda Frank, Counselor
[email protected]
Walkabout” for Success
Written permission to reprint required.
 The Center for New Students and
Orientation at Harper College has created
an intervention concept called
“Walkabout” in order to provide support
to new students during critical weeks in
each semester.
Walkabout” for Success
 As a 2 year commuter institution, we
have a tremendous challenge as we try to
provide services to the 25,000 students
who are ON THE MOVE on our campus.
 Student Development advisors and
counselors roam high-traffic areas, during
peak times, in order to answer questions,
provide on-the-spot advising and
intervention and referral to key service
areas.
Why “Walkabout”
 It’s no secret: Commuter students often lack
the time and/or interest to seek support
services.
 It’s no secret: Their needs aren’t being met
because they feel the pressure of work, school
and family obligations.
 It’s no secret: Student Affairs can’t afford to be
perceived as a “luxury”, “if only I had the time”
service area, both in terms of student
perception and in terms of critical internal
marketing concerns on our campuses.
Who does “Walkabout”
 Counselors and advisors, wearing color-
keyed apparel to help students recognize
“Walkabout” staff as members of the
New Student Orientation staff
 “Walkabout” teams are created; partners
paired up to provide high-energy,
enthusiastic and extroverted support.
Who does “Walkabout”
 Volunteers are solicited but this duty
isn’t for everyone on our staff. Some
personality types are less comfortable
with this technique and in order to
preserve the key ingredient in
“Walkabout” - an abundance of warmth
– only those that are completely
comfortable in the role should
participate.
When to “Walkabout”
 Viewed as an extension of Orientation,
“Walkabout” occurs following the
Welcome Week activities during the
first week of school. At Harper,
“Walkabout” occurs during the 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th weeks of the semester – to
assist with adjustment and transition
issues.
When to “Walkabout”
 “Walkabout” also occurs around
midterm, to provide targeted support
and relevant reminders to students
about academic support, stress and
time management and to provide
referrals to key office areas re: more
serious issues.
“Walkabout” Kits
 Each “Walkabout” team member is
required to wear his/her “spirit wear” – to
allow for the greatest amount of
recognition by students. The Center for
New Students has used a branding
approach to ensure that all apparel, print
materials and supplies are color-keyed to
allow students to identify “Walkabout” as
an extension of New Student Orientation.
“Walkabout” Kits
 Each “Walkabout” team member is also
required to wear a waist pack, which
includes a pedometer. The waist pack has
room for business cards, referral
information about campus support services
and more.
 Each person records the number of “steps
taken” to help new students in each of their
shifts.
Walkabout Results 
 In Fall, 2005 – weeks 2, 3 and 4 – staff
members took 59,587 steps to help new
students at Harper College!
 This number – and an article about the
effort – were featured prominently in the
employee newsletter, “The Harper Insider”.
 “Walkabout” has also been nominated by
the College for an Illinois Community
College Association Innovation Award.
Walkabout Results 
 In addition to serving 403 new students,
over 300 continuing students received
assistance.
 As an added bonus, 35 faculty and staff
members were assisted as they posed
questions about services in Student Affairs
and/or inquired about support for their
students – and sometimes for their family
members. Great internal marketing!