Developing Your Advising Philosophy(# 132)

Heather Ammons, M.Ed. Tiffany Labon-Sims, M.Ed.

NACADA 2012 Annual ConferenceNashville, TN

Outline Philosophy

What is it?

What guides it? Mission CAS NACADA Theories, beliefs, values, personal reflections

Why? What is included? So what do we do now?

What is it? How would you define it?

Literature:“positive, self-motivating statement of what academic advising means to an advisor. It describes the theories an advisor uses as a foundation for her advising practice…It explains why she is an advisor, guides her day-to-day decisions, helps shape her professional goals and objectives, and provides a solid base for her advising practice.” (Frietag, 2011, p. 1)

Your personal mission statement

What guides it? Institution/office mission, vision and goals

CAS standards

NACADA Concept of Academic Advising

NACADA Core Values

Theory/Style/Approaches

Beliefs

Values

Personal reflections

UA Mission & Vision Our Mission

To advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the State through quality programs of teaching, research, and service.

Our VisionThe University of Alabama will be the university of choice for the best and brightest students in Alabama and a university of choice for all other students who seek exceptional educational opportunities. The University of Alabama will be a student-centered research university and an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.

CAS StandardsGuidelines for the creation, maintenance, and assessment of academic advising programs

BUT….It is applicable to us on a individual level

Ethics Learning outcomes Standards of practice

NACADA Concept of Academic Advising

NACADA Core Values

Theory/Style/Approaches

Developmental

Prescriptive

Appreciative

Intrusive

Praxis

Socratic

Advising as….coaching/learning/teaching

Beliefs Purpose of advising

Purpose of higher education

Your role in a student’s development in college

What should the office be accomplishing

Doesn’t have to just be about higher education, could

be:

Religious

Personal

Values Family

Education

Religion

Cultural

Discovery

Integrity

Respect

Generosity

Mentoring

Personal Reflections

Perception of student history

Research interests

What excites you about academic advising?

Value of education

Responsibilities in role

Why? Gives structure to interactions with students (How

would you/should you react?)

Clarity

Opportunity to evaluate where you are and where you want to be (Growth)

Get back to heart of why you are here

Establish goals

Provides meaning

What is included? What would you include?

Possibilities: Professional and educational goals What you do What you think the purpose of advising is Theory that guides you Beliefs Topics that interest you Best skills/competencies How you interact with students Why are you doing this? How do you make a difference?

Great thing about it….

So what do we do now? Word jot

What is advising to you?

Why are you here? What excites you about your

job?

Educational and professional goals

Goals for/how do you interact with students (theory

or style based?)

What else would you include?

References Frietag, D. Creating a Personal Philosophy of Academic

Advising. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/create-philosophy.htm

NACADA. (2005). NACADA statement of core values of academic advising. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/Core-Values.htm

National Academic Advising Association. (2006). NACADA concept of academic advising. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/Concept-Advising.htm

White, E. R. (2006).Using CAS Standards for Self-Assessment and Improvement. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/CAS.htm