Academic Advising in the Community College

Academic Advising in the Community College
Author: Terry U. O'Banion
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2019-12-10
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1475850867

Academic advising is the second most important function in the community college. If it is not conducted with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness, the most important function in the college—instruction—will fail to achieve its purpose of ensuring that students succeed in navigating the curriculum to completion. The purpose of academic advising is to help students select a program of study to meet their life and vocational goals. As such, academic advising is a central and important activity in the process of education. Academic advising occurs at least once each term for every student in the college; few student support functions occur as often or affect so many students. But while there is general agreement concerning the importance of academic advising for the efficient functioning of the institution and the effective functioning of the student, there is little agreement regarding the nature of academic advising and who should perform the function. In this seminal work on academic advising, the authors of three overarching chapters address the key issues and challenges of academic advising followed by the authors of four of the most innovative and successful programs of academic advising in the nation.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising
Author: Thomas Joseph Grites
Publisher:
Total Pages: 84
Release: 1979
Genre: College student orientation
ISBN:

Advising by Faculty

Advising by Faculty
Author: Howard C. Kramer
Publisher:
Total Pages: 64
Release: 1977
Genre: Education
ISBN:

A guide for faculty advisers is presented that addresses aspects of the advising process that are often not discussed. Objectives are to accomplish the following: to provide a working definition and theoretical framework for advising, to show with model conversations the theory in practice, to provide procedures for advisor self-evaluation, and to create a vehicle for discussion of those issues germane to advising. To control sources of confusion in the advising process, attention is directed to assumptions about youth and the advisee and incorporation of the roles of advisor and adult role model. Examples of advisor comments to a student are provided to illustrate the different roles the advisor may assume. Additional topics include: the faculty advising contract, the use of a visual model for planning, ineffective communication and risk-taking, students' verbal competence, unequal relationships, the advisee's right to fail, and informational advising. A model to help the advisors negotiate with their managers concerning an advising contract provides an example of the advisor-manager conversation. A second model, providing a focused conversation between advisor and advisee, illustrates a first meeting. The guide includes comments on major points enclosed in "boxes" and a bibliography. (SW)

How Academic Advisors and Administrators Perceive the Role and Influence of Heavily Involved Parents

How Academic Advisors and Administrators Perceive the Role and Influence of Heavily Involved Parents
Author: Julian D. Parrott
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

There is much debate in academic advising practitioner literature and in the popular media over the influence exerted by involved parents on students and colleges. There is a broad consensus that parental involvement has increased to levels not previously witnessed on college campuses (Cutright, 2008; Shoup, Gonyea, & Kuh, 2009; Wartman & Savage, 2008). It can be argued, therefore, that the past ten years have seen a change in the relationship between students, their parents, and the students' academic advisors. Although there has been much discussion among academic advising professionals concerning the influence parents have on both student development and on their own role as guides and mentors of new students there is a paucity of research studies on the topic. Current research on parental involvement and student success remains in its infancy. This study contributes to the nascent research field by investigating academic advising professionals0́9 experiences and perceptions of parental involvement. Some level of parental involvement has been shown to positively influence student success in college (NSSE 2007; Shoup, Gonyea, and Kuh, 2009; Taub 2008). Studies have also indicated the positive influence of academic advising on student adjustment to college and student success (Gordon & Habley 2000; Hunter & White, 2004; Light, 2001; Yarrish, 2008). It is, therefore, important that the important but complex environment of students, parents, and advisors be studied more specifically. This study utilizes qualitative case study methods to examine the perceptions on involved parenting held by advising professionals at an integrated advising unit at a large, Midwestern, flagship type public university. The case study0́9s participants provide individual and collective narrative lenses to answer this study0́9s research questions through surveys and face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Information pertaining to unit policy, procedures, and communication resources was also collected. A number of issues emerged through the data analysis clearly reflecting the experiences and perceptions of this case study0́9s advising professionals: 1) the advising professionals generally found parental involvement to be helpful; 2) that most parental involvement revolved around legitimate issues improving the advisors0́9 knowledge of specific student problems capital; 3) there appears to be some generational differences in how advisors approach interaction with parents based on their own age and life experiences; 4) that the negative narratives perpetuated by the media, aspects of the literature, and shared conversations amongst advisors continue to dominate advisors0́9 responses to parental engagement; 5) there is an emotional aspect to parental engagement; 6) that there is a need for specific training for advisors to engage parents; and, 7) that good practices are emerging regarding how advisors can effectively work with parents to assist students and parents through the transition stage from home and high school to the college environment. The case study0́9s results and analysis offer a series of conclusions and recommendation both for practice and for research. The study makes a contribution to a field where there is a presently a dearth of research-based studies.