Proactive advising involves:
deliberate intervention to enhance student motivation;
using strategies to show interest and involvement with students;
intensive advising designed to increase the probability of student success;
working to educate students on all options;
approaching students before situations develop;
contacting students at critical points during the semester (i.e. the first three weeks of the semester, at midterm, during the preregistration period, and in between semesters.). and
assisting students in developing a personalized plan of long-term and short-term goals
Proactive advisors can work with students through:
early intervention at the first sign of any type of difficulty (risk factors are also identified in the admissions process);
introduction of rules, policies, and procedures, along with clear explanations and expectations of students;
monitoring progress of students to determine how well they are using information provided, and
customizing intervention and targeting it specifically toward student needs.
Models for delivering advising services may be categorized as one of three organizational structures (Pardee, 2004):
Centralized: where professional and faculty advisors are housed in one academic or administrative unit
Decentralized: professional or faculty advisors are located in their respective academic departments.
Shared: where some advisors meet with students in a central administrative unit (i.e., an advising center), while others advise students in the academic department of their major discipline
Beginning October 1, 2016, we transitioned into centralized advising. Research validates that centralized advising increases retention and improves students' university experience (ACT, 2010; Noel-Levitz, 2009; Swecker, Fifolt, & Searby, 2013; Tinto, 2012).
Allow advisors to deliver proactive advising in a consistent, effective manner.
Allow retention initiatives to be implemented more effectively.
Concentrate the accountability for advising.
Allow faculty to focus on mentoring and graduate school preparation.
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