1. +
Academic Advising
Meghan Morris | Rebecca Frost
EDL 676: Foundations | Dr. David Perez II
October 1, 2013

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Topics Covered

Evolution and Timeline of Academic Advising

Components of Advising

Values of Advising

Competencies, Responsibilities, and Skills of Advising

Current Challenges and Issues

Testimonies from Real Academic Advisors

Future Considerations

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What is Academic Advising?

An activity (or service) that colleges and universities provide to
help students identify and develop suitable programs of study,
seek enriching experiences, and expand horizons and
opportunities

Fundamental expectation: students will decide from among
alternatives the most appropriate direction to take in planning a
program of study
“Promise me you‟ll always remember: You‟re braver than
you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter
than you think.” – A.A. Milne (Christopher Robin)
Baldridge, A. (2013, September). Advising 100 acre wood style. Retrieved from
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/ViewArticles/Advising-100-Acre-Wood-Style.aspx
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Evolution

Academic “guidance” began in response to increasingly
complex curriculum at the end of the 19th century

First systems of advising designed to help students “select
those programs which were best suited their needs and
interests”

Concern for educating the whole student
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

5. +
Timeline
Late 1820s:
Kenyon College
(OH) First known
formal academic
advising
1876: First
system of
advisors created
at Hopkins
1890: Harvard
creates
counseling group
to advise firstyears
1960s: Demand for
improving advising
systems
1979: National
Academic Advising
Association
(NACADA) founded
1981: „Academic
advising‟ added as a
descriptor to
Educational
Resource Information
Center (ERIC)
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Professional Association: NACADA

National Academic Advising Association
The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) is an
association of professional advisors, counselors, faculty,
administrators, and students working to enhance the
educational development of students.

http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/
(2013). About NACADA. Retrieved from: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/About-Us.aspx

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Prescriptive vs. Developmental

Two advising relationships



Prescriptive, based on authority
Developmental, based on development
Advisors serve as the “bridge between students‟ present
environment and students‟ environment to be” (Goetz, p. 93).
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Advising vs. Counseling

Advising more restrictive than counseling; faculty advising
reserved for aiding a student in planning academic program

Faculty-Advising as Three-Part Activity
Identifying
institutional
purpose
Identifying
student
purpose
Assisting
students to
identify options
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Three Components of Advising
Curriculum
(what
advising deals
with)
Student
Learning
Outcomes
(results of
academic
advising)
Pedagogy
(how advising
does what it
does)
Council for the advancement of standards in higher education: the role of academic advising programs. (2011)
(pp. 1–17). Retrieved from http://www.cas.edu/getpdf.cfm?PDF=E864D2C4-D655-8F742E647CDECD29B7D0

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Job Descriptions
What elements stand out to you?

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Competencies

Foundations of Knowledge (Conceptual)


Theoretical frameworks

NACADA core values


Advising philosophy
Knowledge of higher education issues including legal and ethical
Knowledge of College Student Characteristics (Informational)

General knowledge of college students

Specific knowledge of population(s) advised
Academic advisor competencies. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/DnnForge NewsArticles/Print.aspx?tabid=3318&tabmoduleid=278&articleId=71&moduleId=587&PortalID=0

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Competencies Continued

Career Advising Knowledge and Skills (Informational)



Knowledge of academic major
Knowledge of occupational, workplace relationships
Communication and Interpersonal Skills (Relational)


Demonstrate ability to relate to individuals and groups of designated
students through the use of basic communication, helping, and
problem-solving skills
Knowledge of Application of Advising at Local Institution
(Informational)

Institution information

Referral resources

Graduation requirements

Technology use
Academic advisor competencies. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/DnnForge NewsArticles/Print.aspx?tabid=3318&tabmoduleid=278&articleId=71&moduleId=587&PortalID=0

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Six Responsibilities of Academic
Advising
1.
Clarifying values and identifying goals
2.
Understanding institution of higher education
3.
Giving pertinent information
4.
Planning programs that reflect students‟ abilities and interests
5.
Conducting program assessments
6.
Referring to institutional resources
“Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are
looking for before you begin looking for it.” (Winnie the Pooh)
Baldridge, A. (2013, September). Advising 100 acre wood style. Retrieved from
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Advising100-Acre-Wood-Style.aspx
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Skills of Advisors
Interpersonal
Skills
ProblemSolving Skills
Understanding
and Applying
Learning and
Developmental
Theories
Understanding
and Utilizing
Technologies
Schuh, J. H., Jones, S. R., Harper, S. R. (Eds.). (2011). Student services: A handbook for the
profession (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Inc.

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Current Challenges and Issues

For Students


special population advising


relationship of advising to retention
developmental models of advising
For Advisors


recognition and reward factors

assessment of advising


advisor workloads
training and staff development of advisors
Organizational Issues

reporting lines and structures

addressing the changing student populations

technology in advising
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Additional Challenges and Issues

Serving underrepresented students

Strained for resources

Multiple advisors for one student

Federal policies, i.e. financial aid eligibility

Parents & privacy laws
“You can‟t stay in your corner of the forest, waiting for others to
come to you; you have to go to them sometimes.” (Winnie the
Pooh)
Baldridge, A. (2013, September). Advising 100 acre wood style. Retrieved from
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Advising100-Acre-Wood-Style.aspx
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.
Schuh, J. H., Jones, S. R., Harper, S. R. (Eds.). (2011). Student services: A handbook for the
profession (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Inc.

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Uses and Implications of
Technologies

Support advising systems


Advising websites and online institutional documents

Transfer systems for courses and credits


Degree audits
Easier documentation of advising sessions
Delivery of advising

Email and 24/7 access to advisor

24/7 access to institutional and program requirements

Social media
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.
Schuh, J. H., Jones, S. R., Harper, S. R. (Eds.). (2011). Student services: A handbook for the
profession (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Inc.

19. +
Testimonies from
Real Academic Advisors!
If you could change one aspect of your position to better help
students, what would you do?
“Have a more comprehensive training program for advisors at all
levels. Make it consistent, standardized…so we can keep up
with all of the changes” (C. Branson, personal communication, September 5, 2013).
“I wouldn‟t answer email. Or wouldn‟t solve everything by email.
Because conversation is better and more for the students‟
benefit. Email is effective, but it‟s also a burden”
(C. White, personal
communication, September 6, 2013).

20. +
Testimonies from
Real Academic Advisors!
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“When a student walks in super-stressed, and leaves feeling
better. When I can take their anxiety down twenty notches
through conversation” (C. Branson, personal communication, September 5, 2013).
“Seeing students graduate and achieve the goals they set out for
themselves. When they finally choose a major that clicks” (C. White,
personal communication, September 6, 2013).

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Future Considerations

Decentralized "silo" approach to services or integrated so that it
becomes fundamental to campus culture?

Partnership with career services?

Needed only when a student needs to register for classes or
consistent relationship?

Establishing assessment mechanisms attached to institutional
goals and reward systems

Collecting trend data

Monitoring advising reports online for accuracy and access

Actively engage students in their own planning: feedback

Development of a "theory" of advising
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.

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Discussion: Articles
What are your thoughts?

23. +
References
(2013). About NACADA. Retrieved from: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/About-Us.aspx
Academic advisor competencies. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/DnnForge NewsArticles/Print.aspx?tabid=3318&tabmoduleid=278&articleId=71&moduleId=587&PortalID=0
Baldridge, A. (2013, September). Advising 100 acre wood style. Retrieved from
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Advising100-Acre-Wood-Style.aspx
Council for the advancement of standards in higher education: the role of academic advising programs. (2011)
(pp. 1–17). Retrieved from http://www.cas.edu/getpdf.cfm?PDF=E864D2C4-D655-8F742E647CDECD29B7D0
Goetz, J. (2004). Academic Advising. In Rentz‟s Student Affairs in Higher Education (pp. 89–
107). MacKinnon Associates.
Schuh, J. H., Jones, S. R., Harper, S. R. (Eds.). (2011). Student services: A handbook for the
profession (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Inc.
The statement of core values of academic advising. (2005). Retrieved from
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Portals/0/Clearinghouse/advisingissues/cv-decl.pdf