A Population in Need
Clark and Kalionzes wrote, “It is one thing to be aware of our diverse students and to know how to address their issues thoughtfully and appropriately. It is an even greater task to learn to genuinely value and affirm diversity in advising work and commit to transform institutions to better support students of color” (2008, pp. 211–212). Academic advisers need to respect the unique backgrounds of all students they advise. Further, …
Introduction
Choosing a major is a daunting task for college students and many are making a choice about an academic major before they are developmentally ready. Gordon (2007) indicates that “many college students are in the midst of maturational and identity struggles; choosing an academic major from a myriad of choices is a developmental task for which they are not prepared” (p. 87). Nevertheless, choosing an academic major is extremely important not only in terms …
Introduction
Advising students interested in science-related fields of study can present challenges for the academic adviser. These challenges lie in the diverse characteristics, preparation, and personal goals of science students as well as the development of a positive and lasting student-adviser relationship. Establishing a positive adviser-student relationship should be a priority to any academic adviser or faculty member who advises, because student retention is positively correlated to this relationship (Levin & Hussey, 2007). Approximately 69 …
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 …
Many scholars have noted the importance of academic advising in promoting the successful transition and retention of first-year students. For example, King and Kerr (2005) noted that “academic advising is clearly a key factor in challenging and supporting students in making a successful transition to college, feeling a part of their institutions, and achieving their educational goals” (p. 320). While many acknowledge the importance of academic advising in a student’s educational journey, concise empirical evidence …
Education has long been shown to be a leveler among class differences (Gilbert, 2008). In a time of increasing economic divide, how can graduate programs in universities effectively reach more of those who need mentoring the most, as do those in a metropolitan university? The metropolitan university is a specific type of university that has recently been getting more recognition for its unique mission to students as well as the larger community. This university type …
The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) reported that academic “advising programs must identify environmental conditions that may positively or negatively influence student academic achievement” (CAS, 2009, p. 39). Academic advising practitioners must recognize the environmental implications of their offices and understand how they influence student learning. Examples include the chairs on which students may sit for a period of time; the characteristics of staff members working in the office; the reputation of the …
The German philosopher Martin Heidegger once asked, “Why are there beings at all instead of nothing?” (2000, p. 1). That’s a question that has crossed my mind, in a less philosophical way, as I have watched the ebb and flow of participants in and out of our advising workshops. What is it, I wonder, that compels our colleagues to come to our workshops? Or of more concern, what is it that keeps them away?
Because …
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 …
