In tough economic times, higher education administrators are obliged to seek cost-saving measures and/or to conduct cost-benefit analyses of programs. Academic advising programs have often been the targets for such reviews. Academic advising administrators, therefore, must be prepared to respond to these challenges before they occur.

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decision-making, research, retention, reflection, role of advisor, critical thinking, assessment, advising environment, Tom Grites

Teaching college was supposed to be freeing and provide me with the ability to teach students who pay to be in class, who want to be in class. These are supposed to be students who are eager to soak up what I have to offer, who come to class and behave, and who are responsible. I began my higher education career as an adjunct the semester before my contract as a full-time assistant professor began. As I watched my soon-to-be colleagues manage teaching responsibilities, committee assignments, and advising sessions, I became more and more eager to begin working with students. My first semester began, and I realized that my doctoral work had prepared me to teach, but nothing prepared me for academic advising – not even my own experience on the other side of the desk. What I had imagined would be the easiest part of my job became both one of the most challenging and most rewarding.

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proactive advising, build relationships, role of advisor, preparedness, critical thinking, advising approaches, encouraging students, advising skills, advising competencies, Jordan Barkley, faculty advisor

After the experience of their initial term, first-year students are generally more open to actively engaging in their education and receiving advice that can help them reflect on their academic interests, growth, study strategies, and progress toward their developing goals.

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reflection, Holly Martin, critical thinking

Leeds for Life  is an interactive website which aims to help students at the University of Leeds, UK to prepare for their future and to think reflectively about their progress, right from their first moment in the University. It is about inspiring them to get the most out of their academic and co-curricular experiences, thinking of them in an holistic way.

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reflection, international, Penny Robinson, personal tutoring, critical thinking

This article introduces solution-focused advising, a framework built and adapted from solution-focused counseling theory, as another tool for advisors to utilize within their approaches.

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theory, communication, collaboration, build relationships, reflection, academic support, advising theory, advising strategy, critical thinking, advising approaches, encouraging students, active listening, Kyle Ross

With increasing numbers of student veterans entering the nation’s colleges and universities, it is critical that professionals in higher education understand the unique perspectives and experiences they bring to the campus and that appropriate models to support their academic success are developed.

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communication, build relationships, advisor competencies, advisor training, academic support, at-risk students, community relationships, advising theory, cultural differences, advising strategy, critical thinking, advising approaches, adult learners, Coby Dillard, deal

One of the hardest things advisors face is the notion that they cannot always be the hero.  As advisors, we want to help and we want to make things as easy as possible.  Yet, there are so many things that are just beyond our control.

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decision-making, professional development, build relationships, role of advisor, academic support, dismissal, advising theory, advising strategy, critical thinking, advising approaches, encouraging students, conflict resolution, learning outcomes, Vince Hernandez, stud

Much like letting young adults spread their wings, an advisor needs to be alert, offering assistance when necessary, but knowing when to let the student “learn the ropes” of academic life to ensure they become strong, independent learners.

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role of advisor, academic support, at-risk students, probation, procrastination, preparedness, advising strategy, critical thinking, advising approaches, encouraging students, underprepared students, conditional admit program, adult learners, Katherine Carlman

The authors finds that a NACADA institute “is nothing like an annual or regional conference.”

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research, professional development, advisor training, role of advisor, preparedness, advising strategy, critical thinking, assessment, advising workshops, advising approaches, professionalism, advising director, advising research, academic support, Amy Brock

The road to self-authorship—where an individual’s internal voice emerges and asserts its authority—begins with cognitive dissonance, perhaps even existential crisis, that challenges the individual’s assumptions about the self, social relationships, and the world.  This article considers advisors’ role in creating provocative moments.

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theory to practice, professional development, advisor training, advising theory, advising strategy, critical thinking, advising approaches, self-authorship, conflict resolution, Cecilia Lucero