Advisor's Role

"Few events in students' college experiences have as much potential for influencing their development as does academic advising. Through regular contact with students, whether in person, via e-mail, over the telephone, or through social media systems, advisors gain meaningful insights into the academic, social, and personal experiences and needs of students. Advisors must use these insights to help students feel a part of the academic community, develop sound academic and career goals, and ultimately be successful." (NACADA Statement of Core Values of Academic Advising)

At SHIP, the CBA establishes that academic advising is a faculty responsibility and faculty are accountable to deliver quality advising.  Quality academic advising extends beyond course and program scheduling.  It is a joint endeavor that works with and empowers students to obtain appropriate academic information, to develop educational and career goals, to learn the skills needed for academic success, and to access the variety of resources and services available to them. Quality advising not only enhances the persistence and satisfaction of students—it also enriches the professional experiences of faculty. Rather than protest that advising is an unimportant extracurricular duty, effective advisors know that advising is at the heart of who they are as educators. Effective advisors recognize the need to develop an appropriate set of knowledge and skills in order to excel in their responsibilities to students. They prepare for advising as seriously as they prepare for teaching.

Some of the responsibilities of academic advisors include but are not limited to:

• Assistance with successful transition into the university programs and environment
• Assistance with goal setting and implementation
• Assistance with selection of educational program appropriate for the student’s interests and skill levels
• Assistance with creating appropriate course schedules
• Monitoring academic progress
• Clarification of academic and institutional policies
• Assistance with academic issues
• Assistance with personal concerns
• Navigation within the campus environment
• Assistance with campus resource identification & utilization
• Assistance with career development

Students have a right to expect their advisor to:

• Have posted reasonable office hours of availability throughout the academic semester
• Maintain appointments with students on a timely basis
• Be knowledgeable about educational program requirements, curriculum, and professional and career opportunities within their field of expertise
• Be knowledgeable about institutional policies and procedures to ensure academic success
• Be knowledgeable about appropriate campus resources as needed

Academic advising is a partnership in student success.