Advisement Tips

According to the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), effective advisors go beyond the role of course selection and approval by doing the following:

1. Build a positive relationship with their students.
2. Help students clarify educational, career, and personal goals.
3. Direct students to institutional and community resources that support the achievement of these goals.
4. Assist students in the selection of courses based on their personal and professional goals.
5. Monitor students' academic progress.
6. View students as active partners actively engaged in intellectual and personal growth.

According to USC student satisfaction survey data, students value academic advisors who are:

1. Knowledgeable about the requirements of their majors.
2. Approachable.
3. Concerned about their success as individuals.
4. Helpful in setting goals to work towards.

The USC Advisors Network meets monthly to share ideas and resources. Contact Harriett Hurt (2006-07 Chair) at harrietth@gwm.sc.edu for more information.

The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Web site - http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/index.htm - has a comprehensive list of resources.