Philosophy of Advising
In a 1999 keynote address to the National Academic Advising Association, Vincent Tinto noted that academic advising is an educational process that can positively affect retention and students’ persistence by providing accurate information regarding institution requirements and expectations; academic, social, and personal support; and connections that assist students’ perception as a valued part of the collegiate community. As an Academic Advisor and student affairs professional, I believe in the educational process of academic advising. I believe that it is my responsibility to participate in that process by doing exactly as Dr. Tinto said: provide accurate information, support, and help students feel like they are a valued part of the campus community.
Provide Accurate Information- Universities and college campuses are dynamic communities with traditions, jargon, and ever changing policy and procedure. Some students enter this community with a familial legacy of college attendance from which they can glean information to assist in their collegiate transition. Many students do not have such a history, consequently they may begin their undergraduate experience without the social capital necessary to smoothly acclimate and adjust to the university atmosphere. As an academic advisor I am responsible to stay apprised of policy, procedures, and resources and must be prepared to share and/or find that information in the most professional and timely manner as I can. Often, students do not realize what will be expected of them academically and socially. I have the opportunity to teach and share these expectations with students with the belief that either their academic legacy will continue or as first-generation pioneers establish their own legacy.
Provide Support- I believe that given the correct tools, students can successfully navigate their collegiate journey. Each student is different and the tools they bring to their post-secondary experience are equally unique. As an Academic Advisor, I have the responsibility and privilege to help students accurately assess what is needed to be successful, find the resources needed to augment the skills and resources they have brought with them, and support them as they dig deep to develop a skill that they have used infrequently or lend encouragement as they find a new use for or strengthen an existing skill. Using a basic knowledge regarding college student development and retention/persistence theory, I do my best to assess where a student is in their academic journey and help them discover what it is that they need, and the solutions that may positively affect their academics and personal life.
I truly believe that it is the growth and development that takes place while pursuing their academic degree that makes a student's diploma most valuable. Consequently I facilitate that growth through coaching. I avoid telling students what to do, instead I coach them through the thought processes necessary to identify problems and outcomes, discover the positive or negative variables contributing to a problem or outcome, and then brain storm possible solutions and realistically evaluate how they will work based on the student’s personal variables. In the end, it is the student that identifies the solution and is therefore more greatly vested and empowered to affect a positive outcome.
Students, A Valued Part of Campus Community- With each student comes a story comprised of culture, identity, experience, skills, challenges, and strengths that influence their academic experience. I, as an Academic Advisor, am committed to remember that it is each student's story that makes them a valuable and unique part of the campus community and it is my responsibility to provide a safe place to share that story. As an academic advisor I am often the first link in a chain of experiences that make up a student’s collegiate odyssey. As an academic advisor I often have the seminal opportunity to acknowledge and validate their experience and concerns, identify threats and barriers that impede their academic success and help them know that they matter, are not alone, and that they can succeed.
I believe in students! I believe that the definition and process of becoming successful is unique for each student! I believe, that I as an Academic Advisor, I am a valuable part of that process!
Provide Accurate Information- Universities and college campuses are dynamic communities with traditions, jargon, and ever changing policy and procedure. Some students enter this community with a familial legacy of college attendance from which they can glean information to assist in their collegiate transition. Many students do not have such a history, consequently they may begin their undergraduate experience without the social capital necessary to smoothly acclimate and adjust to the university atmosphere. As an academic advisor I am responsible to stay apprised of policy, procedures, and resources and must be prepared to share and/or find that information in the most professional and timely manner as I can. Often, students do not realize what will be expected of them academically and socially. I have the opportunity to teach and share these expectations with students with the belief that either their academic legacy will continue or as first-generation pioneers establish their own legacy.
Provide Support- I believe that given the correct tools, students can successfully navigate their collegiate journey. Each student is different and the tools they bring to their post-secondary experience are equally unique. As an Academic Advisor, I have the responsibility and privilege to help students accurately assess what is needed to be successful, find the resources needed to augment the skills and resources they have brought with them, and support them as they dig deep to develop a skill that they have used infrequently or lend encouragement as they find a new use for or strengthen an existing skill. Using a basic knowledge regarding college student development and retention/persistence theory, I do my best to assess where a student is in their academic journey and help them discover what it is that they need, and the solutions that may positively affect their academics and personal life.
I truly believe that it is the growth and development that takes place while pursuing their academic degree that makes a student's diploma most valuable. Consequently I facilitate that growth through coaching. I avoid telling students what to do, instead I coach them through the thought processes necessary to identify problems and outcomes, discover the positive or negative variables contributing to a problem or outcome, and then brain storm possible solutions and realistically evaluate how they will work based on the student’s personal variables. In the end, it is the student that identifies the solution and is therefore more greatly vested and empowered to affect a positive outcome.
Students, A Valued Part of Campus Community- With each student comes a story comprised of culture, identity, experience, skills, challenges, and strengths that influence their academic experience. I, as an Academic Advisor, am committed to remember that it is each student's story that makes them a valuable and unique part of the campus community and it is my responsibility to provide a safe place to share that story. As an academic advisor I am often the first link in a chain of experiences that make up a student’s collegiate odyssey. As an academic advisor I often have the seminal opportunity to acknowledge and validate their experience and concerns, identify threats and barriers that impede their academic success and help them know that they matter, are not alone, and that they can succeed.
I believe in students! I believe that the definition and process of becoming successful is unique for each student! I believe, that I as an Academic Advisor, I am a valuable part of that process!