Hitting the Jackpot: Making Academic Success a Sure Bet!
Wednesday, October 5 – Saturday, October 8, 2005
Bally's Las Vegas Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada

Viva Las Vegas!  It's not too late to register and join over 3,300 advising colleagues next week for our largest Annual Conference ever. You can still fax a registration form (through Thursday, September 29th), available here.

The website also has hints for first-time attendees, the entire Conference Program with over 300 session abstracts, and an interactive schedule planner.

If you sent a registration form but did not receive an email confirmation, call the Executive Office at (785) 532-5717 immediately.

Foundations of Academic Advising CD 1: What is Academic Advising? lays the groundwork for academic advising.  While the primary target audience for this first CD in the planned Foundations series is new advisors, it will be equally useful to advisors who have been working in the field but who have never had opportunity to become acquainted with the full scope of foundational advising information in a single-piece, coherent, sequenced (curriculum) format.  The information presented is "generic" (applicable to any campus setting) rather than institution-type specific.  This audio-visual CD will particularly appeal to anyone looking for something beyond the traditional text-only format.  Ten-minute modules also make excellent tools for group professional development and discussion-starters.

Introductory Video Segment by Virginia Gordon

Four Content Modules

1.  History & Definitions of Academic Advising

• Terry O'Banion and Burns Crookston encourage a move from Prescriptive to Developmental approach
• Various proposed definitions of academic advising - what they have in common
• Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Standards and Guidelines for Academic Advising
• NACADA's Statement of Core Values of Academic Advising

2.   Process & Content of Academic Advising

• Academic advising as a teaching/learning process in which advisors use conceptual, informational and relational skills
• The Curriculum of academic advising: What do advisors teach?

3.  Pedagogy & Outcomes of Academic Advising

• Pedagogy: the art, science, or profession of teaching. How does that relate to advising?
• Outcomes: what we expect students and academic advisors to know [cognitive dimension], be able to do [skills dimension], and value/appreciate [affective dimension] as a result of participating in the academic advising experience

4.  Academic Advising on Your Campus

     Explore your:

• Organizational Model
• Delivery System
• Philosophical Approach
• Goals & Objectives
• Professional Development Opportunities
• System of Rewards

NACADA introduces the Guide to Assessment of Academic Advising on CD to assist institutions with the development of a comprehensive assessment program for academic advising at the unit, college, or institutional level.  The Guide focuses on the development of the vision, values, and mission for academic advising as the foundation for any assessment program and provides a step-by-step process for the development of goals and advisor and student learning outcomes for advising.  The Guide also provides detailed assistance in the process of mapping the achievement of outcomes across the undergraduate experience as well as a process for measuring the achievement of the outcomes in the assessment program.  Sample worksheets are provided that can be utilized in the development of an assessment program and can be reproduced for campus use.

The NACADA Guide to Assessment of Academic Advising is essential for any institution committed to improving the quality of the advising experience through an intentional and carefully developed plan of assessment.

Member price: $25

Non-member price: $40     

Order form on the web (Print and mail or fax to the NACADA Executive Office)

Peer Advising: Intentional Connections to Support Student Learning

Heidi Koring and Susan Campbell, Editors

Our newest traditional-text format Monograph is designed to introduce readers to the critical elements of successful peer advising programs. Peer advising is an important way institutions can extend advising services to students; in turn it provides a way to enrich the student experience for those engaging in this paraprofessional role on their campuses. 

Monograph contents range from theory to design and delivery of a peer advising program.  Recruitment, selection and development of peer advisors are highlighted; program budgets, assessment, and evaluation suggestions are shared.  Exemplary practices from across the country highlight chapter content. 

Member price: $25

Non-member price: $40

Order form on the web (Print and mail or fax to the NACADA Executive Office)

The Conference will be an excellent opportunity for you to collaborate with other members of the Commissions and Interest Groups to which you may belong.

• Join us for the Commission and Interest Group Fair on Thursday morning, October 6, 7:30-8:30 a.m.  Visit the various tables and converse with the Chairs and members of the Commissions and Interest Groups.
• Annual Commission and Interest Group Meetings are scheduled throughout the Conference. Check your program for those meetings of interest to you, or visit the schedule on the web.
  • Learn what is going on in the Commissions and Interest Groups - projects, activities, new initiatives!
  • Volunteer to help with activities or serve on a committee within a Commission or Interest Group.
  • Consider running for leadership positions within the Commissions.
  • Service to Commission Awards are now given by some of the Commissions - investigate and nominate a fellow Commission member!
• Commission-sponsored presentations are scheduled throughout the Conference. Check your program for these highlighted sessions. Here's your chance to see some excellent presentations!
• Congratulate the Commission and Interest Group members who have received various NACADA awards! (Visit the web sites below and click on a specific Commission or Interest group, and then on the "Awards" link in the left column!)
  • Commissions 
  • Interest Groups

Watch your mail for information on these three exciting events!  Brochures should arrive at your campus the first part of October.

Ethical/Legal Issues in Academic Advising Seminar - February 2-3, 2006  

In today's higher education environment, academic advisors face a multitude of ethical and legal issues and decisions on a daily basis.  This seminar will focus not only on the major legal and ethical issues facing advisors, but also on the decision-making process advisors follow in dealing with the varied situations they encounter.  The faculty of the seminar will be three national experts in the areas of legal issues in higher education and the impact those issues have on advisors and the advising programs on campuses.  Faculty will lead participants through a series of case studies throughout the seminar.   This seminar is a must for all advisors and administrators charged with oversight of advising programs.

Academic Advising Administrators' Institute - February 5-7, 2006 

Assessment of Academic Advising Institute - February 8-10, 2006

Join us in Clearwater Beach for a walk on the beach, some Florida sunshine, a great learning opportunity and most importantly, a chance to network with your colleagues. Visit the NACADA website for more details.

June 22-23, 2006, in Portsmouth, Virginia, NACADA will host the

Effectively Engaging Faculty in Academic Advising Seminar

Plan to join us for these two important days on working directly with faculty who have advising responsibilities!

Taking orders NOW for Virginia Gordon's new book Career Advising:  An Academic Advisor's Guide.  Print the order form from this link, complete and fax it to the NACADA Executive Office at (785) 532-7732.  Your order will be processed when we receive our shipment of Career Advising (expected in early 2006).

Career Advising is especially for academic advisors who work with students trying to make career decisions. Career Advising will be an invaluable guide as you help students understand the relationships between their academic and career choices and the impact these decisions have on their future personal and work lives.

National Coming Out Day is October 11 (see Human Rights Campaign).  To better help advisors prepare for conversations that may occur on that and other days, Cari Moorhead (University of New Hampshire) shares advice for Advising Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students in Higher Education.

Authors have been turning in their manuscripts for the December edition of NACADA's quarterly e-Publication, Academic Advising Today, and among those accepted for publication are:

• Millennial Students: Rethinking Time Management by Jermaine Williams (Temple University)

• Preparing for Multicultural Advising Relationships by Aaron H. Carlstrom (Kansas State University)

• Is There Life After Liberal Arts? by Sarah Ann Hones (Southern Oregon University) and Karen Sullivan-Vance (Western Oregon University)

• Outstanding Advising Awards: Tips on Putting Together a Successful Nomination Packet by John Mortensen (Utah State University)

We are now discussing article topics for the February edition. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts with your colleagues in this format, check out the  Guidelines  today!

Join us in welcoming Terri Blevins (Oklahoma State University-Tulsa) as the newly appointed Region VII Chair for 2005-2007.  Terri will be replacing Jill Hieb, who was elected to the position earlier this year.  Jill is relocating to Region VI (South Dakota), which will be gaining a great individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in both KAAN (Kansas Academic Advising Network) and Region VII. Terri has been active in Region VII as a member of the Steering Committee and 2005 Conference Co-chair in Oklahoma City.  She brings strong leadership abilities and will be able to hit the ground running. Please welcome Terri Blevins to the NACADA Leadership.

Following the National Conference in Las Vegas, the newly elected NACADA Leadership will take office for the 2005-2006 term. For a complete directory of NACADA's leadership, visit the web.  Jo Anne Huber (University of Texas at Austin) will serve as NACADA's President for the next year, while Jane Jacobson (Iowa State University) takes over as Vice President.   Jennifer Bloom (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Susan Campbell (University of Southern Maine), and Phil Christman (Malone College) join the Board of Directors for the 2005-2008 term.  Along with Jo Anne Huber and Jane Jacobson, the other continuing members of the Board include Tom Brown (Thomas Brown & Associates), Anita Carter (Wayne State University), Nancy Walburn (University of Alabama at Birmingham), and Elaine Borrelli (University of New Mexico ).

The Regional Division welcomes George Steele as the newly appointed Division Representative joining Kazi Mamun, current elected Division Representative.   The incoming Region Chairs include Gail Stepina (Region 1), Karen Thurmond (Region 3), Dan King (Region 5), Terri Blevins (Region 7) and Selma Reed (Region 9). These new Chairs will join the continuing Chairs: Suzanne Trump (Region 2), Annie Turman (Region 4), Kim Roufs (Region 6), Sarah Ann Hones (Region 8) and Beth Isbell Tapley (Region 10).

The new leadership within the Administrative Division includes Jayne Drake as appointed Division Representative, with Rich Robbins continuing as the elected Division Representative. The new Committee Chairs include Casey Self (Membership), Tim Champardé (Professional Development), Karen Sullivan-Vance (Member Career Services), and Rob Mossack (Awards), who join continuing Chairs Celeste Pardee (Finance), Skip Crownhart (Diversity), and Joyce Buck (Research).

Serving the Commission and Interest Group Division will be Jill Johnson, the incoming elected Division Representative, who will be joined by Maura Reynolds, the continuing appointed Division Representative. The newly elected Commission Chairs are listed below, followed by those Commission Chairs continuing in these roles. The continuing Interest Group Chairs are also listed below.

Information is available on the 2006 NACADA Leadership elections, including a list of positions to be elected, eligibility criteria, and an online nomination recommendation form. If you will be attending the National Conference in Las Vegas, election information and printed nomination forms will also be available in the NACADA booth in the Exhibits area and in the back of the Conference program.  Nomination forms can be submitted either online, at the Conference, or by fax or mail. All nominations are due to the Executive Office by Monday, October 31, 2005. 

More information can be found here regarding NACADA Leadership positions. If you have any questions, or would like to inquire as to your eligibility for a particular position or the eligibility of a colleague whom you wish to nominate for a position, please contact the NACADA Executive Office at (785) 532-5717 or e-mail us. We encourage your participation in the nomination process for these Leadership positions!

The 2006 Awards Call for Nominations is currently being revised and will be available online in mid-November. A link to the 2006 Awards Call web site will be provided in the next monthly member Highlights. Until the 2006 Awards Call is available, the information for last year's awards program is still available on our web site and will provide you with a general idea of the basic content for the nomination packets or applications. Since it is possible that selected criteria may change for various award categories in 2006, please be sure to refer to the 2006 Awards Call for Nominations before submitting your final nomination materials.

Click here for a listing of 2005 Award recipients.