Recent interest in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) movement plus the burgeoning partnerships between dozens of universities and MOOC providers have sparked discussions across the country about what this might mean for higher education as we know it. Do you think MOOCs and related offerings within higher ed are influencing the kind and manner of advising assistance that students need and might change the direction of the academic advising profession? Is your institution involved in …
Advising Forum
The journal invites responses to periodic Advising Forum topics related to advising issues, philosophies, and trends. Each topic and the comments submitted by readers are archived and accessible indefinitely.
Academic Advising and Career Counseling
Students often regard the educational planning process and the search for majors in terms directly related to specific jobs/careers, and they presume that conversations with academic advisers will naturally combine the undergraduate educational experience with career preparation. Is this expectation appropriate? Should academic advising and career counseling on college campuses work hand-in-hand? Should these two areas of expertise be more centralized or even operate within the same unit to provide one-stop guidance to students, or are they …
Mandatory Academic Advising
Some institutions of higher education require their students to meet with academic advisers to help them navigate the institution’s policies and procedures and increase their chances of academic success. Such mandatory advising can help students stay on track academically and connect with people and opportunities at their college or university, however forced meetings of this kind might also be perceived as overly intrusive for students who are legally regarded as young adults. Such advising might …
Is a Four-Year Program Easier Said Than Done?
Given the unsteady economy, rising costs of a college education, and concern by parents and students that a four-year program is easier said than done, are we doing students a disservice by encouraging them to explore interests and majors, perhaps change majors partway through school, and/or include co-curricular experiences like education abroad and internships? After all, their goal may be to streamline their college careers and enter the working world sooner rather than later. Can …
What protocols should academic advising units establish to identify and help troubled students?
Academic advisers sometimes suspect or know certain students are dealing with personal issues that not only impact their academic performance but may threaten their own or others’ well being. At times a student clearly reaches out for help, but in some cases, an adviser only senses something is “off.” Does your advising unit and/or institution have a best practice in place to identify troubled students and safely, effectively connect them to the resources they need? …
How Do Students Define “Good Advising”?
Advising professionals frequently reflect on the meaning of effective academic advising as it applies to higher education, and the conversation often generates new and interesting perspectives, debates, and research. Aiming at this question from a different vantage point, how do you think students define “good” advising, and what do you think they want and expect from advisers?
Should You Ever Turn Away An Advisee?
At times students show up for academic advising appointments unprepared for a productive discussion, or they may appear to be fairly alert for a morning appointment but look hungover and perhaps still smell of alcohol, or they might show up dressed in pajamas and flop flops. Have there been instances when you have felt justified in refusing to continue an appointment; point out the student’s unacceptable preparation, condition, or appearance; and refer him/her to a …
Are Peer Advising Programs Worth It?
Some colleges and universities have implemented peer advising programs as an innovative way to relate to young advisees and to effectively assist greater numbers of students during peak advising times. Certainly successful programs require significant management and oversight to ensure that appropriate messages and guidance are given by the peer advisers, who often are undergraduate students themselves. Does your institution manage a peer advising program? Is it working well? What are the benefits and challenges? …
What Role Does Your Background Play In Advising?
Academic advisers bring different qualifications and a range of educational backgrounds to their practices. What is your particular discipline, and do you feel it has helped you with your work as an adviser? In what ways have you been able to integrate your background and experiences to become a more effective academic adviser? Can most advisers, regardless of discipline, somehow incorporate their journeys to improve the practice of academic advising?
What is your opinion?
Role of Advising in a Living/Learning Community
Many universities offer students the opportunity to reside in special on-campus living options with other students who share the same interests and goals. By participating in group activities and programs, these students form friendships and networks and learn more about their areas of interest. Do you think academic advisers can/should be involved in these kinds of living/learning communities and play a role in coordinating or developing programs for them? Would such a role serve to …
