If you have seen some new faces on campus or Zoom this semester, you’ve probably seen one of our new advisers. The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) identifies new advisers as people who are under three years in the role. Here at WVU, about 15% of our advisers are less than one year in the role. “Some of our turnover is due to growth in professional advising,” Joy Carr, Director of University Advising at WVU states. “Sometimes people move on to different careers or move out of state. Our turnover is consistent with turnover nationwide.”
Starting off on the right foot is important. On August 11, new advisers were invited to participate in Motivational Interview training sponsored by the Carruth Center. Motivational Interviewing techniques enable conversations with students who are feeling ambiguity about making decisions, following through on academic behaviors, or struggling for change. Additionally, this semester marks the first opportunity at WVU for centralized onboarding for new advisers. In addition to the training departments may provide, central onboarding provides a set of common tools and expectations for everyone so that every student receives a high-quality advising experience no matter what major they choose – or switch to! The central onboarding project has been an ongoing labor between an advisory group of new advisers and the Provost’s Office. Check it out!