Student
use of advising services
Frequently
Asked Questions from Academic
Advising: Campus Collaborations to Foster Retention
Q.
We offer a variety of services and programs to a large and diverse
student population. What are some ways to: 1) increase the number
of students who will use these programs/services? 2) more efficiently
use our resources to better serve students?
Students typically attend programs that meet at times convenient
for them and are perceived as worthwhile. Before plunging head
long into into too much programming, it might be important to
first ascertain what students feel their advising needs are. It
might also be good to schedule advising programs close in time
to other activities which might relate to advising such a course
scheduling, declaration of major days, etc. Student might also
attend programs when other students are involved in the planning
and delivery of such programs. Using student councils and student
government to sponsor or co-sponsor advising programs might also
bring the students out. Centrally run campus wide advising programs
which draw on all deliverers of advising might spread out the
resources. "Major" Event days and All-Advising days which bring
students together to a central location to participate in some
sort of advising programming have proved to be successful.
Eric
White, Ed.D.
Penn
State University
'05 NACADA President
Q.
How important is it for a student to keep the same advisor throughout
their academic career?
In
the best of all possible worlds, it would be ideal if a student
could keep the same advisor throughout an academic career. And,
indeed that does happen. Realistically however, that is not
always possible because:
- an advisor leaves or takes on
a new role on campus
- the student desires a change
in advisor
- the student changes programs
and/or interests
- the student needs a change in
general
Because
these conditions exist, the importance of staying with one advisor
pales in comparison to the need for a student to establish a relationship
with an advisor who is knowledgeable, accessible, and concerned.
In addition, I have always contended that students need two types
of advising during their academic career.....intake advising which
establishes the student's ability to survive and thrive in the
academic environment and mentoring which includes modeling the
behavior and demonstrating various facets of the academic discipline.
I think each of these types of advising require different skills
and abilities.
Wes
Habley
ACT,
Inc.
'86-87
NACADA President
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