Contact Info

Advising Development Program
E-mail: sowallace@ship.edu
Phone: (717) 477-1627
FAX: (717) 477-4065

Tips for Writing/Submitting an Advising Excellence Award Application

1. Organization
   • Appearance is everything. The application package should be well thought out and flow smoothly.
   • If the narrative refers to documents in the application, a system of tabs, appendices, etc. should easily direct the readers to the documents.
   • The binder/folder should be strong enough to survive many trips across campus.
   • Have an understandable narrative; i.e., avoid professional terminology that non discipline faculty might not going to understand.
2. Holistic Theme
   • The best advising programs encompass scheduling, career choices, extracurricular activities, honors, etc.
   • Good programs encourage faculty/student involvement with activities and faculties that bring the students together out of the classroom. Examples:
     • Pizza with a Prof
     • Social hours
     • Lounges
3. Assessment
   • The purpose of assessment is formative--program improvement and not advisor evaluation.
   • Effective assessment strategies focus on student learning and addresses the questions, "How is what we're doing making a difference?" and "How can we better serve students?"
   • Assessment strategies should incorporate NACADA guidelines.
   • Some departments maintain attendance records for extra activities as a measurement of success.
4. Ingenuity
   • The "we could do that" reaction is extremely important. Past winners have evoked that reaction from readers. In other words, find ways to transfer knowledge and expertise of faculty beyond coursework. Some winning ideas that have been copied:
     • Brown bag lunches with talks
     • Invitation to students to participate in research activities of departmental faculty
     • Alumni councils
5. NACADA Guidelines and Principles
   • The website and manuals offer many suggestions
   • Forms (checklists, etc.) are available
6. Learn from Past Winners. Study the winning applications that are on reserve in Lehman Library (some are on electronic reserve) for ideas on all of the above.