Comprehensive advisor training and development: Practices that deliver (2nd Ed)

Book by Givans Voller, Marsha A. Miller, & Susan L. Neste
Review by Ms. Theresa Duggar, M.Ed.
Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology Advisement Center
Georgia Southern University

The need to successfully and efficiently train academic advisors is paramount to achieving institutional missions and student success. In Comprehensive Advisor Training and Development: Practices that Deliver (2nd Ed.) readers are provided with an opportunity to study strategies that can effectively train the advising community. Focus is given not only to new academic advisors but to faculty advisors, graduate advisors and peer advisors. Information is also provided on how to develop the experienced advisor. Many topic areas are covered within this monograph, such as: the importance of training programs, assessment of programs, use of technology, and exemplary practices.

The editors begin by providing research on the importance of advisor training and development and its significance in achieving institutional missions and strategic goals. They also delve into the topic of student success on campus and the impact advisors have on that success. This makes the case for the importance of advisor training and development programs. Those responsible for providing advisor training, referred to as “training coordinators” in the manuscript, can use this information to present a need for institutions to invest in the improvement of current training programs or the creation of new programs.

Training coordinators can utilize Practices that Deliver as a resource on the three foundational components of advising: conceptual, informational, and relational skills. Definitions are provided on each component and how to asses which component is best warranted for specific audiences, delivery formats, and topics.

Practices that Deliver provides a multitude of real life examples. Part V is specifically devoted to exemplary practices; these examples are provided in narratives from those directly involved. Readers will want to pay close attention as each author provides insight into what worked for different institution types and where improvement is warranted. The narratives provide training coordinators a good basis for program development and can be utilized to update or improve current programs.

I recommend Practices that Deliver to training coordinators and advising administrators. This publication is an excellent resource. While not every programmatic example will fit each campus type, there are many practical ideas that can be gleaned from the topics covered. Every training coordinator will find an informational aspect that will not only fit their campus but their individual needs in programming, whether it be more targeted assessment or how to meaningfully include faculty in workshops.

In summary, this text is a tool for advisor training and development. Readers will find Practices that Deliver useful no matter what stage they are in concerning advisor training and development.

Comprehensive Advisor Training and Development: Practices that Deliver (2nd Ed.). Book by Givans Voller, Marsha A. Miller, & Susan L. Neste (Eds.). Review by Ms. Theresa Duggar, M.Ed Manhattan, KS: NACADA. 226 pp., $60.00, (paperback), ISBN # 978-1-935140-21-4