I wonder how many of us have the kind of job that puts us in contact with those we consider to be heroes on a daily basis. I have a job like that. I’m a college advisor and many of my heroes are the students who come in to see me for direction every day.

[Read the rest of this article...]

reflection, stress, advising approaches, persistence, Tim Champarde

The issue of student retention and persistence has continued to grow in importance throughout the history of higher education in our country. Early studies (Astin, 1977) focused on the characteristics of those students who did not persist. Beginning in the 1970s, the research began to focus on the reasons students remained enrolled and how colleges and universities could make changes or develop programs to increase the retention of their students.

[Read the rest of this article...]

Charlie Nutt, proactive advising, retention, collaboration, build relationships, role of advisor, academic support, persistence

Academic advisors can play an integral role in promoting student success by assisting students in ways that encourage them to engage in the right kinds of activities, inside and outside the classroom.

[Read the rest of this article...]

graduation rates, role of advisor, student motivation, persistence, advising director, George Kuh

First generation students often require more attention than other students. Academic advisors can help ensure the success of these students when they are prepared. Advisors who apply the six practical suggestions listed in this article can guide first generation students through their toughest and most rewarding years and in turn help them graduate.

[Read the rest of this article...]

proactive advising, communication, build relationships, at-risk students, student motivation, advising strategy, advising approaches, persistence, underprepared students, first generation students, Lorneth Peters, technology

Academic advisors play many roles as students progress through our institutions. Helping students increase their levels of positive self-reflection can help students increase the expectations they set for themselves and lead students to regularly view themselves as positively engaged and academically talented. Positively engaged students leave advising sessions reflecting on their strengths rather than focusing on their deficiencies....Strengths-based advising can help advisors focus on students’ strengths. When we implement an advising model best suited to students’ strengths, we increase students’ chances of success at our institutions. 

[Read the rest of this article...]

proactive advising, retention, first year students, advising theory, student motivation, advising approaches, persistence, Tammy Russell

As the nation continues down a turbulent financial path, we will undoubtedly be called upon to justify our advising programs and the impact our programs have on student success and student persistence. We have shown, and we can continue to show, the tremendous impact academic advising has on all aspects of the student experience.

[Read the rest of this article...]

research, retention, persistence, advising research, Brett McFarlane

As members of the NACADA Board of Directors, the AAT Editorial Board, and the Executive Office staff have talked with our membership around the globe, it has become clear that we share a common concern about the pressures that we all face in the current economic climate. We open this edition with the positive, constructive measures that have been taken at Georgia Perimeter College to ensure the success of the academic advising program at that institution.

[Read the rest of this article...]

retention, at-risk students, persistence, Anthony Tricoli

When academic advisors create partnerships with secondary school stakeholders, the results are far-reaching...

[Read the rest of this article...]

retention, graduation rates, first year students, at-risk students, persistence, first generation students, Amanda Hodges

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.

[Read the rest of this article...]

retention, peer advising, persistence, Dana Zahorik

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