In these economic times, meeting the needs of so many diverse student populations can be a challenge. However I believe there are steps a college or university can take to effectively, and efficiently, provide quality services.

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intrusive advising, communication, collaboration, advisor training, community relationships, peer advising, technology, advising skills, advising competencies, Lynda Sukolsky

Peer advising offers several advantages, including versatility, compatibility with pre-existing academic advising programs, sensitivity to student needs, and the ability to extend the range and scope of advising to times and venues when advising is not usually available. 

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peer advising, Heidi Koring

Peer advising continues to grow in undergraduate programs (Koring and Campbell, 2005, p. 9). Despite this, little research has been devoted to outcomes of peer advising or student satisfaction with the process. What research has been done indicates that peer advising has positive outcomes in terms of student involvement, academic achievement and retention (Koring and Campbell, 2005). Nelson and Fonzi (1995) discovered that 80% of students who participate in a peer advising program find the process to be satisfactory, but they do not specify the terms of satisfaction (p. 42).

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mentoring, build relationships, first year students, peer mentors, peer advising, Heidi Koring

Development and implementation of a peer advising program can create an additional resource for students and assist staff in meeting advising needs more efficiently. However, many staff and faculty are unsure how or where to begin in developing a peer advising program. A framework that helps ensure that crucial information is available can be helpful in beginning the development process. 

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peer advising, Dana Zahorik

While academic advisors can, and do, provide guidance and the occasional shoulder, advisors cannot serve as a substitute for the camaraderie and support that comes from a fellow student, someone who is in the trenches.

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peer advising, adult learners, Lisa Peck

Peer advising supports the achievement of key institutional priorities, including student retention and persistence, promotion of student success, and helping students to meet their career goals.

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retention, peer advising, persistence, Dana Zahorik

At Georgia Southern University, Peer Academic Advisors (PAAs) help make the major exploration process more enjoyable and less stressful for students.

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decision-making, intrusive advising, proactive advising, major choice, undeclared, undecided, first year students, peer advising, Ellen Murkinson

Due to increasing student populations and the constantly evolving nature of student needs, more and more institutions are establishing peer advising programs...two current peer advisors share personal testimony to the experiences and strengths they have gained throughout their time as a peer advisor.

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peer mentors, peer advising, Lynn Zabel, Sara Rothberger

People have always looked to their peers for help… Many college students look to other students for what they perceive to be better guidance than what they would receive from advisors or faculty. Utilizing peer advisors is a way to harness these easy connections built between students and recognize that students are a part of the advising process, rather than recipients of an advice-giving encounter.

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peer advising, Heidi Purdy

Psychology Peer Advising (PPA) began at James Madison University in 1991 in response to the growing integrity of peer advising programs in practice and in the literature. Since its founding, the peer advising program has transitioned from a student organization to a paraprofessional practicum experience.

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mentoring, advisor training, peer mentors, advising strategy, peer advising, advising approaches, Kimberly DuVall, Ashley Rininger, Alec Sliman

The Bepko Learning Center at IUPUI houses a one-on-one peer-coaching program in which academically successful students are paired with their peers in order to aid them in achieving academic success. Coaches mentor other students on how to be successful in college—whether that means learning study techniques, creating weekly schedules, or setting long-term goals.

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mentoring, theory to practice, communication, advisor competencies, advisor training, peer mentors, advising theory, advising strategy, peer advising, Liz Freedman, Maria Makeever, Katie Weller