Academic Advising

Wichita State University is the academic home for approximately 15,000 students each semester. Each of these students brings unique potentials which can be enhanced through relationship with an academic advisor. Each also bring s family and community responsibilities, careers and academic expectations which usually add up to more than 100% of available time, energy and resources.

Because of this we, in our role as faculty advisors, have unique opportunities to assist students in meeting these demands, challenges, stresses and opportunities constructively and creatively.

The academic advising relationship is a vehicle we can use to share ourselves, our knowledge and our experience in a more personal way than is possible in the more formal class atmosphere. Good academic advising can help the student bridge the gaps between personal, academic and career requirements. Supported by good advising, students will clarify, plan, implement and monitor a program of study consistent with their values, goals, interests and abilities. This will lead to success and satisfaction in their personal, academic and career lives.

When students meet with their advisors, they come with varying needs and expectations. Generally WSU students want the following in advising:

1. Accessibility ­ an advisor who is reasonably available for advising appointments and who conveys an attitude that says "advising is an important educational task;"
2. Accurate information ­ an advisor who knows the current information regarding requirements, policies, procedures or where to find the information; an advisor who knows when to refer to another person or office;
3. Advice ­ an advisor who is willing to challenge, recommend, encourage, without imposing his/her preferences; and
4. Relationship ­ an advisor who is willing to sit face-to-face and care about the educational and career plans of the student.

Effective advising will enhance the likelihood of the following:

• Student major/career exploration and selection consistent with the student's values, goals, interests, abilities
• Student satisfaction with their academic program, advising and Wichita State
• Student/faculty advisor relationship that is positive
• Student persistence in academic programs (retention)
• Student success after graduation from Wichita State

The elemental core of good academic advising, as in good classroom teaching, is the care and competence that you, as advisor, bring to the relationship with students to help them develop their unique potentials.