Advising Academic Advising: Renewed Perspective & Reconnecting to your "Why"

LaDonna Croffe, Michigan State University

Academic Advisors are at the front line of student success. They provide a crucial form of teaching that takes place outside of the standard classroom. Through a wide range of contacts, consultations, and meetings, advisors help students take full advantage of the resources that are available to them at their given college or university. Advisors serve students from orientation to graduation and nearly everything in between. The work often extends beyond academic support to also aiding students in their personal and professional development.

This workshop will provide advisors with an opportunity to gain renewed perspective on their advising role and why they have chosen to do this work. We will delve into some of the common challenges of advising, as well as how to avoid them. And in many cases, how to move forward in spite of them. Through hands-on activities, engagement with peers, and reflection, this workshop will provide advisors an opportunity to reconnect with their, “why” and create a new or expanded vision for their profession.

Workshop attendees will gain support, strength, and encouragement to continue their work on the front line.