According to the NACADA clearinghouse, academic advising takes place in "situations in which an institutional representative gives insight or direction to a college student about an academic, social, or personal matter. The nature of this direction might be to inform, suggest, counsel, discipline, coach, mentor, or even teach" (2018). Advising becomes a process...there is an initial meeting that happens with the student and the advisor, where they talk about goals, the future, and how to succeed throughout the time spent in college. Usually, advisors will help their students roadmap a "tentative plan" for what classes the students need to take in order to graduate on time (4-year plan). This process is a two-way communication between the students and advisor to coordinate learning experiences through coursework and career planning with the implementation of academic progress review. This relationship is on-going, and both are responsible for figuring out a plan for success.
Academic Advisors: Roles and Responsibilities
Help students define and develop realistic educational career plans through schedule planning for each semester. Each student should have an up-to-date academic schedule plan through to graduation.
Meet at least once each semester with continuing students to plan for the coming semester
Monitor progress toward educational/career goals and meet at least once each semester to review the progress toward completing the proposed academic program and to discuss grades and other performance indicators
Follow-up with the student on any report of unsatisfactory work (notice of class probation for poor attendance, notice failing grades, incomplete grades from past semesters. Special attention should be paid to students who are placed on academic probation (student retention).
Office hours should be posted on the advisor’s office door and preferably given to the student early in the semester.
Inform or refer students to other institutional resources when academic, attitudinal, attendance, or other personal problems require intervention by other professionals. (e.g., Academic Services, Personal Counseling, etc.)
Characteristics of Effective Advisors:
Has an interest and passion for advising students
Caring and understanding attitude towards advisees
Exhibits effective interpersonal and communication skills
Available to advisees
Monitor student progress
Engages in developmental advising
Ensures frequent contact with advisees
Maintains knowledge of institutional regulations, policies, offerings, and procedures
References:
Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2018, April 13). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm#tab-1NACADA Resources Clearinghouse. Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse.aspx The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved from http://www.utrgv.edu/advising/