Higher Education In A Box Susan Poch, PH.D. Washington State University, U.S

What we will do today… Ecological Theory and Model A study of the interaction between academic advisors and their institutional environment Activity using the model Discussion

Outcomes Understand and describe how the ecological model applies to your institutional environment Utilize the ecological model to identify policies, initiatives, perceptions and expectations that influence academic advising on your campus Use the ecological model as a reference point to assist with communication or change in academic advising on your campus

Ecological Theory Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005) A person’s development was affected by everything in his/her surrounding environment…and the person affected the environment A reciprocal and influential relationship For us: a developing dynamic process where the institutional environment influences advising/advisors and advisors influence our institutions.

(Interactions of Microsystems) The Macrosystem The Mesosystem (Interactions of Microsystems) The Exosystem Microsystem 1 Microsystem 2 Microsystem 3

The Macrosystem (Institution/Higher Education System/Culture/Country) The Mesosystem (Interactions of Microsystems) The Exosystem Microsystem 1 Microsystem 2 (College, Department, Campus, Institution) Advising Policies Advising Goals Value of Advising Perception of Advising Advisor Role, Responsibilities Advising Office or Unit Microsystem 3 Colleagues and Peers

Brainstorm… Microsystem 1 (Advisor Role and Responsibilities): Committee work Meetings that give you institutional perspective Recruiting duties Curriculum development in your area Meetings with students and parents Other responsibilities?

Brainstorm… Microsystem 2 (Advising Office or Unit): Professional development Trainings Office location Supervision Other? How does your advising office influence your roles and responsibilities?*

Brainstorm… The Exosystem (College, Department, Campus, Institution): Do advising policies develop up or down? Are they different for different departments, colleges or campuses? Do administrators support advising? Understand it? Value it? Is there a common advising model in your college? What departmental/college/campus goals does advising support? Other influences?

Brainstorm… The Macrosystem (Institution, System, Culture or Country) Who is paying attention to advising at the top? Institutional policies: mandatory advising/faculty only/centralized? What technology supports advising? Who determines this? Is there a campus-wide advising council? How does culture influence institutional advising policy?

How do you fit in the box? How does advising fit with institutional initiatives or priorities? What access do advisors have to administrators? Who determines advising policies?

Small Group Time Discussion… Where are the opportunities to influence your institution’s advising policies, procedures, perceptions, and regulations? Discussion… What did you learn about your institution? What are your next steps? What questions came up?

Final Thoughts The Ecological Model is a useful tool to investigate many areas When relationships between microsystems are compatible, advancement is smooth Each system is characterized by roles and norms Individual behavior changes in different systems

Susan Poch, PhD poch@wsu.edu Washington State University