NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
http://www.nsula.edu/news
7/26/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University’s’ Academic Advising Council will host an on-going series highlighting specific methods for improving academic advising. Anyone interested is welcome to participate in the upcoming 90-minute sessions, said Steven Gruesbeck of University College, the on-site coordinator.
“Schools interested in promoting student success recognize that academic advising is both a powerful retention and teaching tool. Effective advising results in greater awareness of the opportunities and expectations that lie ahead,” Gruesbeck said. “Advisors assist students in understanding the ways in which classes that they have taken and are taking relate to career objectives. In addition, Advisors work with students to develop clear and realistic goals. Once these goals are identified, advisors can make specific recommendations about future activities such as courses, internships, student organizations and extra-curricular activities that will bring the student closer to his or her unique goals.”
Dates and topics will include “Academic Advising: The Pivotal Point in Assisting Students to Attain Educational and Career Goals” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12. This webinar will offer “basic” training for new and experienced advisors. It will emphasize communication skills and campus resource knowledge that all effective advisors must possess. The session will include discussion on connections between effective advising and teaching.
“Relating to Students Through Advising” will take place at 1 p.m. Oct. 10. This session will examine the characteristics of an effective advising interview and focus on how to develop an ongoing relationship with students. Information on managing advising loads and advising special populations will also be provided.
Encore presentations of past webinars are also available through the end of 2007. Past webinars addressed “Strengths-Based Advising: Going Beyond Course Scheduling With Developmental Advising,” “Academic and Career Advising for Sophomores,” “Strategies for Using Academic Advising to Enhance Retention and Student Engagement.” To obtain materials and/or to arrange for an encore presentation of any of the webinars, contact Gruesbeck, Academic Center coordinator, (318) 357-4460 or by email at sgruesbeck@nsula.edu.
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