presentation by dr. nutt at msu, february 9, 2007 sponsored by: academic affairs

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Presentation by Dr. Nutt at MSU, February 9, 2007

Sponsored by: Academic Affairs

Academic Advising:

Teaching Our Students to Be Independent Learners

Charlie L. Nutt, Ed. D.

National Academic Advising Association

Associate Director Kansas State University

cnutt@ksu.edu

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Making the simple complicated is commonplace.

Making the complicated simple, awesomely simple,

that’s creativity.Charles Mingus

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People will forget what you say. They will even forget what you do. But they never forget how you made them feel

Maya Angelo

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association

“Good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience.”

Richard LightMaking the Most of College (2001)

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association

“Advising is viewed as a way to connect students to the campus and help them feel that someone is looking out for them.”

George KuhStudent

Success in College (2005)

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“Advisors are interpreters who help students navigate their new world. As such, academic advisors have to make connections.”

Nancy King

2005 Summer Institute on Academic Advising

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association

Key Issues in Higher Education Globally• Time to Graduation• Retention/Persistence• Transferability• Assessment of Student Learning• Cost of Education• General Education Core• Value of Higher Education

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association

Dec. 2004 – Pell Institute Study – What Institutions With Higher Than Expected Graduate Rates Have In Common:

High student participation in advising and counseling opportunities

Intentional Academic PlanningEducational innovations to assist students

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July 2004 – Pell Institute Study

Institutions Focused on Student Retention and Persistence:

• Teach students how to effectively make decisions and maneuver the system

• Teach students how to make decisions about career and/or majors

• Teach students how to identify and utilize campus resources and assistance

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association

Advising that contributes to the teaching and learning mission of the institution:

Is a student-centered process

Facilitates behavioral awareness and problem-solving, decision-making and evaluation skills

Encourages both short-term and long-term goal-setting

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Makes the students feel that they “matter”

Stresses the shared responsibility between the student and the advisor, with an emphasis on the advisor helping the students to make decisions for themselves and teaching them the skills and knowledge they need make decisions and be successful.

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association

• Questioning Skills– Focus questions on the concerns of the students not

on the concerns of the advisors– Use open-ended questions focused on the student,

not on advisor --• not “How can I help you” - instead “What do you want to talk

about today?• not “What can I do for you today” - instead “What issues do

you have about semester”– Closed-ended questions are used to gather vital

information and are necessary -- but be aware they are indicators of your interest in only facts, not concerns or interests of the students

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• Referral Skills– all referrals must be based on the students’ needs,

concerns, and life issues - not on the advisor’s own feelings or views

– explain in a clear and open manner why the student should seek assistance from another source

– advisor and student must joint develop a plan of action for the referral and expected results

– provide all information to the student for the referral -- reason, possible results, location, telephone, email

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Five Strategies for Advisors

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association 1. Adopt a Talent Development Approach to Advising

• Know your students– Who are they? What are they telling you?– An entitlement mentality– Cumulative deficits in attitudes, study habits,

academic skills– More diverse than previous groups– Techno-savvy “NetGens”

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association 1. Adopt a Talent Development Approach to Advising

• Meet students “where they are” – academically, socially, psychologically

• Set high expectations – challenge, implore, cajole, and support

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association 2. Make Advising a Tag Team Activity

• Share responsibility for student success

• Draw on multiple sources of expertise and perspectives on students

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association 3. Help Students Map Out a Path to Success

• Draw a Map for student success

• Teach newcomers about the campus culture

• Emphasize student initiative

• Point students to programs, resources, and activities that work

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association 4. Make Every Interaction Meaningful

• Participate and connect before college and during orientation

• Provide accurate information

• Push Students to THINK!!

• Develop peer mentoring programs

• Imbed advising into a first-year program

• Encourage students to experience diversity early

N A C A D A National ACademic ADvising Association 5. Focus on Culture Sooner Than Later

• Identify cultural properties that impede advisor effectiveness and student success

• Expand number of cultural practitioners in advising

• Install an ethic of positive cultural communication

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The questions we raise, the perceptions we share, the resources we suggest, the short-term decisions and long-range decisions we help them think through, all should aim to increase their capacity to take charge of their future.

--Arthur Chickering