The “Basics” of Academic
Advising
Karina Franco, Ed.D.
Belk College of Business, Director of Undergraduate Advising
Henrietta Thomas, M. Ed.
University College, Director of University Advising Center
What is
ACADEMIC ADVISING?
What is Academic Advising?
A process where advisors and advisees develop a
relationship that helps advisees develop selfawareness, goals, and plans for academic achievement.
(Crockett, 1987; O’Banion, 1972; Winston, Enders, & Miller, 1982)
“Advising is viewed as a way to connect students to the
campus and help them feel that someone is looking out
for them.”
(Kuh, G., J. Kinzie, J. H. Schuh, E. J. Whitt, and Associates. 2005)
The year was 1953
“Advising is a process with a long and dignified
history in colleges and universities…involving, as
it often does, tedious clerical work combined
with hit and run conferences with students on
curricula. It is a most cordially hated activity by
a majority of college teachers.”
M. S. Maclean, Personnel and Guidance Journal
What is the Purpose of Academic
Advising?
• To “assist students in developing meaningful
academic plans.”
• To “identify relevant and desirable student
learning and development outcomes and provide
programs and services that encourage the
achievement of those outcomes.”
CAS Standards for Academic Advising Programs
Advising as Teaching
Through advising, we want students to:
•
•
•
•
•
Value the learning process
Learn and use decision-making strategies
Put the college experience into perspective
Set and evaluate priorities (goals)
Develop thinking and learning skills
“College is more than a collection of courses or a ticket to a
trade.”
NACADA Core Values
Successful Advising Requires…
• A relational investment
• Keeping up to-date with policies, program
requirements, and deadlines
• Time for rapport to build
• Meeting students where they are in their
intellectual and psychosocial development
Three-component approach in advising:
Conceptual - crucial foundation; what
advisors must understand
Relational - behavioral attributes; what
advisors must do
 Informational - substance of advising; what
advisors must know
Advisor Responsibilities
• Provide accurate information about majors
and careers (or refer appropriately)
• Be accessible in-person, by phone, or via email
• Assist students with establishing goals
• Treat students with courtesy
• Positively challenge students to improve
performance when necessary
An Academic Advising Model
Terry O’Banion, 1972
Scheduling
Exploration of
Course Choices
Exploration of Program
Choices
Exploration of Vocational Goals
Exploration of Life Goals
Student Responsibilities
• Proactively seek help and advice throughout the
semester
• Become familiar with degree requirements,
including general education
• Follow dates/deadlines on university calendar
• Regularly check uncc.edu email
• Prepare for advising sessions
• Know GPA, academic standing, completed credit
hours
• Use the undergraduate catalog and Banner
Advising at UNC Charlotte
…in both the professional literature and in the
UNCC summit, the agreement seems to be
that a good advising system is characterized
by accessibility, accuracy, and student
satisfaction. We would add to that
effectiveness in reducing academically
motivated attrition.
Advising Summit Report, Yardley Research Group, 2005
30000
Student
Population
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
Year
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Advising History, UNC Charlotte
Thru 1980s
1990
1995
FACULTY ADVISING has always been in place!
Office of Academic Advising and Learning Assistance; SOAR
ARSC Advising Center; COBA Advising Center
OASES; AAIT; SSRT; 7 full-time advisors on campus
Mission Statement
Academic Advising Improvement Team, Jan. 1996
• Academic Advising at UNC Charlotte represents a
coordinated developmental process which
encourages students to explore their individual
growth. Advising provides them with accurate
information necessary to make informed
decisions leading to a satisfying and successful
college experience, culminating in timely
graduation and preparing them to prosper in
their chosen careers. It involves the interactive
and cooperative efforts of faculty, professional
advisors, support services, and students
throughout the University.
NACADA Core Values
Resources for Policies/Best Practices
• http://registrar.uncc.edu/
• http://advising.uncc.edu/
• https://selfservice.uncc.edu/pls/BANPROD/tw
bkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=bmenu.P_FacMai
nMnu
• http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/search.htm?btnG
=Search+NACADA
Point to consider:
“An excellent advisor does the
same for the student’s entire
curriculum that the excellent
teacher does for one course.”
Marc Lowenstein, “If teaching is advising, what do
advisors teach?,” 2005