Why is being connected so important?
Being connected is important for many reasons. By getting involved with the advising community, you build valuable networking connections that can help you answer questions and resolve tricky situations quickly and more effectively. While basic answers can always be found in the university catalog and through other resources, the nuances of applying policy or offering advice in a student’s particular situation are not always so obvious. Relying on a network of experienced advisers across all WVU campuses can help you get the responses you need now while also enabling you to grow professionally. WVU participates in two advising communities open to you at any time.
Academic Advising Council (AAC)
The AAC is also an advisory body to the Provost’s Office, and we take that opportunity very seriously. The advising community at WVU believes in shared problem solving, and the AAC is our route to not only staying connected to each other, but to stay informed about and advocate for change in policies, processes, and other factors that improve the academic journey of our students and our own work. Here are some of the projects AAC members have worked together on in the recent past:
- creating a mission, vision, and values statement of advising at WVU
- collecting a work satisfaction survey from advisers and using the results to recommend positive change
- generating a campus-wide student survey on advising
- assessing advising effectiveness at WVU
- advising book club and discussion times
- Advising Appreciation Day and the selection of the Nicholas Evans Excellence in Advising Awards winners
- a robust set of social networking opportunities, including breakfasts, happy hours, potlucks, and more.
At WVU, advisors can connect with other advisors across the university through the AAC. The AAC has a listserv that provides a Message of the Week, updating advisers on academic and program news, social networking opportunities and professional development on a variety of topics pertinent to the advising environment. Advisers have opportunities to serve on the Executive Committee as well. The newsletter, available training materials and other updates can be found on the website: https://academicadvising.wvu.edu
To sign up for the Message of the Week newsletter, click here.
NACADA
The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) is the professional organization for advising in higher education. In addition to a global advising community, NACADA offers regional and national conferences, a wealth of research and scholarship on advising topics, resources for your advising practice and much more.
WVU is part of NACADA’s Region 3. Speak with your supervisor about NACADA membership opportunities. Members can also gain valuable experience by volunteering to read conference proposals, award submissions and in other opportunities to connect and engage. Much of NACADA’s advising resources and resources are free on the website.