The Problem
OuR mission
Academic Advisors at the University of Utah are educators and problem solvers, who advocate for students as they navigate their personal journey of higher education and attain their academic goals. Through inclusion and connection, academic advisors open doors to new opportunities for students’ self-awareness and growth, empowering students to define their roles as citizens within local and global communities. within local and global communities
How to achieve our mission
Given the changing landscape of higher education and meeting the needs of diverse student populations, the delivery methods of advising must evolve in order to achieve our mission while engaging students in a way that meets their unique definitions of success. In the College of Social and Behavioral Science, this changing landscape includes offering online degrees in the areas of Economics, Family & Consumer Studies, Psychology and Sociology. While also addressing the demands of specific student populations such as adult learners and millennials who require methods of communication that can work with their demanding schedules.
advising Best Practices
Virtual advising through the Canvas platform meets a best practice of academic advising to meet students where they are at and a tool which is used frequently in all coursework at the University. We have taken this platform and tweaked it in a way to provide timely advising with regard to policy and procedures, as well as building community through discussion posts and announcing student events which enhance academic experiences. Through this method of virtual advising, advisors are able to meet our mission of being inclusive and connected in order to open doors to new opportunities to our students.
References
Applegate, J.L. (2012). Advising as if their lives (and our future) depends on it. NACADA Journal, 32(1), 5-11.
Feghali, T., Zbib, L., & Hallal, S. (2011). A web-based decision support tool for academic advising. Educational Technology & Society, 14(1), 82-94.
Gaines, T. (2014). Technology and academic advising: Student usage and preferences. NACADA Journal, 34(1), 43-49.
Gravel, C.A. (2012). Student-advisor interaction in undergraduate online degree programs. NACADA Journal, 32(2), 56-67.
Montag, T., Campo, J., Wessman, J., Walmsley, A., & Snell, A. (2012). In their own words: Best practices for advising millennial students about majors. NACADA Journal, 32(2), 26-35.
Shockley-Zalabak, P. (2012). Advisors as interaction designers. NACADA Journal, 32(1), 12-17.
Soria, K., & Bultmann, M. (2014). Supporting working-class students in higher education. NACADA Journal, 34(2), 51-62.
Strayhorn, T.L. (2015). Reframing academic advising for student success: from advisor to cultural navigator. NACADA Journal, 35(1), 56-63.
Teasley, M.L., & Buchanan, E.M. (2013). Capturing the student perspective: A new instrument for measuring advising satisfaction. NACADA Journal, 33(2), 4-15.
Thompson, L.R., & Prieto, L.C. (2013). Improving retention among college students: Investigating the utilization of virtualized advising. Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 17(4), 13-25.
Feghali, T., Zbib, L., & Hallal, S. (2011). A web-based decision support tool for academic advising. Educational Technology & Society, 14(1), 82-94.
Gaines, T. (2014). Technology and academic advising: Student usage and preferences. NACADA Journal, 34(1), 43-49.
Gravel, C.A. (2012). Student-advisor interaction in undergraduate online degree programs. NACADA Journal, 32(2), 56-67.
Montag, T., Campo, J., Wessman, J., Walmsley, A., & Snell, A. (2012). In their own words: Best practices for advising millennial students about majors. NACADA Journal, 32(2), 26-35.
Shockley-Zalabak, P. (2012). Advisors as interaction designers. NACADA Journal, 32(1), 12-17.
Soria, K., & Bultmann, M. (2014). Supporting working-class students in higher education. NACADA Journal, 34(2), 51-62.
Strayhorn, T.L. (2015). Reframing academic advising for student success: from advisor to cultural navigator. NACADA Journal, 35(1), 56-63.
Teasley, M.L., & Buchanan, E.M. (2013). Capturing the student perspective: A new instrument for measuring advising satisfaction. NACADA Journal, 33(2), 4-15.
Thompson, L.R., & Prieto, L.C. (2013). Improving retention among college students: Investigating the utilization of virtualized advising. Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 17(4), 13-25.