Advising Philosophy and Goals at Boise State

Mission

Academic and career advising seeks to support students in the exploration and development of educational and career goals while promoting student responsibility in the decision-making process. A combination of faculty, professional and peer advisors provide students with access to information, resources and support in the areas in which they have the greatest need and can most benefit.

Philosophy

Academic and career advising at Boise State University are integrated because there is a strong relationship for most students between their educational and career goals. Boise State University is proactive about assisting students to explore this relationship for themselves and about raising awareness of the need for both academic and career planning throughout students’ programs of study.

Goals

Based on students’ individual circumstances, personal development and skills, advisors provide information and support and foster a sense of responsibility in students to achieve their own goals.

Academic and career advising seeks to provide:

• Ongoing contact with an informed and supportive representative of the campus community
• Accurate information regarding academic requirements and policies and procedures
• Major and career exploration opportunities
• Exploration of necessary academic skills
• Referral to campus and community resources

A combination of advising models are employed allowing departments to provide services most beneficial to their students and most compatible with their resources, while still providing timely access to both advisors and materials.

Meaningful incentives for advisors are integrated into existing reward structures such as tenure, promotion and salary decisions and workload distribution.

Assessment of advising is built into existing assessment processes, including department outcomes assessment plans and formal program reviews. Assessment of advisors’ performance is built into annual review, promotion and tenure processes.

Advisor support is available to faculty, staff, and students who serve as advisors through organizational structures, a variety of resource materials, and professional development opportunities.

Student Outcomes

Personal growth: Develop communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills

• Define short-term and long-term goals after reflecting on values, interests, strengths, and challenges
• Articulate goals during advising sessions
• Describe the connection between goals and values, interests, strengths, and challenges
• Discuss problems by assessing causes and identifying resolution
• Understand how to achieve balance in academics, family, work, recreation and social activities
• Use advising and other sources of information to make meaningful and informed decisions

Resource identification: Develop skills in locating and effectively using information and resources that support achievement of goals

• Identify websites, campus offices, and faculty or staff
• Use information from university resources to assess progress towards achieving goals (e.g., degree check sheets, degree progress reports, information from faculty and staff)
• Possess knowledge of departmental and university processes and policies

Curriculum integration: Understand the relationship between classroom experiences and academic, career, and personal goals

• Understand how course selection impacts major exploration and selection
• Explain how major curriculum supports achievement of goals
• Describe how liberal education requirements support achievement of goals
• Schedule courses to graduate in a timely manner based on personal educational plan
• Connect educational plan to career goals

Experiential learning: Understand the importance of including experiences outside of the classroom in an educational plan

• Participate in undergraduate research, off-campus civic engagement, learning abroad, and/or community service
• Discuss how participating in these activities supports achievement of goals

Relational Development: Understand the importance of personal, collegial, and professional relationships

• Clarification of the advising relationship – expectations of advisors and advisees
• Awareness of self
• Seek and value regular and continued advising
• Understand expectations of the college experience