The Appreciative Advising Interest Group will focus on how the organizational development theory of Appreciative Inquiry can be utilized in academic advising. 

"'Appreciative Inquiry is the cooperative search for the best in people, their organizations, and the world around them . . . AI involves the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system's capacity to heighten positive potential’ (Cooperrider & Whitney, 1999, p. 10). The link to academic advising seems clear. As advisers, we are constantly trying to help our students reach their full potential, and one of the primary tools that we have for empowering students is asking questions. AI challenges us to make sure that we ask positive questions, aimed at helping students discover their strengths, abilities, and skills.” [taken from an article co-authored by Jennifer Bloom and Nancy Archer Martin]

The Appreciative Advising Interest Group will be involved in the promotion of discussion and research activities relating to strength/asset-based positive advising techniques. We are interested in identifying appreciative advisors and promoting their strategies and programs. We will actively dialogue with each other through the NACADA Appreciative Advising listserve. We have a strong base and feel strongly about the impact our movement can have on academic advising.

Chair: Scott Amundsen

University of North Carolina Wilmington
E-mail: amundsens@uncw.edu

Phone: (910) 962-7985