It is my hope that students’ memory of me is not as an advisor sitting behind a desk, poring over Banner reports and paper files. I hope the image in their mind’s eye is of me walking, or running, somewhere on campus. I hope they remember me conversing with others and having an open door, because there is no door. I hope my example challenges them as professionals to be as accessible to their clients, patients, or students as I have tried to be for them.

[Read the rest of this article...]

communication, build relationships, reflection, advising strategy, advising approaches, active listening, advising environment, Christina McIntyre

For NACADA, this has definitely been a busy and exciting time... Many exciting ventures are in the works, and I look forward to sharing the outcomes of those efforts in future publications and at the Annual Conference in Denver this October.

[Read the rest of this article...]

news, president, Kathy Stockwell

While our steadily growing membership demonstrates NACADA’s financial health and stability, I am most proud of the work done by our NACADA leadership and Executive Office staff to expand our vast resources, services, and events that support our members and the profession...

[Read the rest of this article...]

Charlie Nutt, news

In a research project funded jointly by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and The Paul Hamlyn Foundation...One of the key research findings was that students want advice from their Personal Tutor (academic advisor) on a range of specific issues related to their thoughts about leaving, (e.g., academic failure).

[Read the rest of this article...]

retention, international, role of advisor, personal tutoring, persistence, advising research, Sheila Pankhurst, Jacqui McCary

Advisors have much to offer prospective international students. Our academic knowledge and experiences providing developmental interactions with students make us valuable team players in our schools’ international programs.

[Read the rest of this article...]

international, Vickie Morgan, Terese Pratt

Just like the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, students often feel lost; they need guidance and reassurance to succeed in college. The critical component to academic success, other than student will, is advising.

[Read the rest of this article...]

decision-making, communication, build relationships, role of advisor, encouraging students, active listening, Christine Chmielewski

Whether serving students at a community college of 5,000 or a regional university of 25,000, good advising can be defined by a model that mirrors the approach of Whole Foods Market: seek the best path, maintain quality of contact, and commit to an attainable goal for each student we advise.

[Read the rest of this article...]

build relationships, student motivation, advising approaches, encouraging students, Carol Antill

Advising for online learners should respond to their unique needs, instead of requiring them to fit within an established organizational structure...Online learners require a “high touch” level of service in a “high tech” environment.

[Read the rest of this article...]

adult learners, distance, Sharriette Finley, Jeanna Chapman

There are many ways in which academic advisors can work with first generation college students to help them understand the college student role as well as to academically and socially integrate into the campus community.

[Read the rest of this article...]

retention, at-risk students, preparedness, underprepared students, Cynthia Demetriou, April Mann, first generation students

Three primary lessons have been learned in the years since Louisiana State University Eunice’s Pathways to Success program began: (1) students follow directions if they know what to do, (2) the program is labor intensive, and (3) communication, cooperation, and consensus-building are crucial.

[Read the rest of this article...]

intrusive advising, communication, at-risk students, underprepared students, Paul Fowler

Students with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) are arriving on college campuses in greater numbers. While the reason for this increase can be debated, the need to develop skills to work with these students cannot be. Advisors – whether professional or faculty – can play a significant role in helping these students realize success both inside and outside the classroom.

[Read the rest of this article...]

at-risk students, LaDonna Bridges, Asperger's Syndrome.disabilities

Ellyn Schwartzbauer was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) in 8th grade.  This article is based upon a paper written by Ellyn as part of a Developmental Psychology course requirement at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. As a successful college student with AS, she wishes to promote awareness of AS to college academic advisors.

[Read the rest of this article...]

at-risk students, Ellen Schwartzbauer, Asperger's Syndrome

In recruiting to retain underrepresented populations, it is important to develop early and consistent relationships. Advisors who express that students are valued can create a meaningful and personal connection early in each student’s educational career.

[Read the rest of this article...]

retention, communication, academic support, at-risk students, cultural differences, persistence, Christine Lancaster, Chelsea Smith, Kelsey Boyer

From June 2005 through December 2011, this publication was titled Academic Advising Today: Lighting Student Pathways. Articles included in these archived editions will be presented in a compiled version as well as broken down into individual articles to facilitate search capacity. News features from this period may be attained by contacting the Managing Editor.

[Read the rest of this article...]