Developing a Mission Statement for Academic Advising Marsha Miller NACADA Assistant Director, Resources & Services miller@ksu.edu http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/AboutNACADA/staff/marsha.htm With special thanks to: Wes Habley in the NACADA Clearinghouse article Susan Campbell in the 2nd edition of Academic Advising: A Comprehensive Handbook Rich Robbins NACADA Assessment Institute

Session Goal and Objectives This presentation will answer the questions: What is a mission statement? Why do we need an advising mission statement? What are the characteristics of an effective mission statement? Participants will rate, critique, discuss and revise actual academic advising mission statements.

Building A Mission Statement Our mission is to…

Dilbert’s Mission Statement Generator ©1998 United Feature Syndicate, Inc. ("UFS") and United Media ("UM") All Rights Reserved

Building a Mission Statement Insert a Word See how easy it is... Our mission is to efficiently build timely methods of empowerment while continuing to interactively create progressive catalysts for change while maintaining the highest standards.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Our job is to draft a mission statement that adequately reflects academic advising on our campus

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement CAS Standards Mission statements must… be developed, recorded, disseminated, implemented, and regularly reviewed incorporate student learning and student development be consistent with the vision, mission, and goals of the institution

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement What is a mission statement? A mission statement describes…. Who we serve Why - Our reason for being What we strive to achieve Wes Habley Developing a Mission Statement for the Academic Advising Program NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement What is a mission statement? A mission statement articulates… Our values Our purpose Our direction now and in the future Susan Campbell Vision, Mission, Goals, and Program Objectives for Academic Advising Programs Academic Advising: A Comprehensive Handbook, 2nd edition

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement What is a mission statement? A mission statement reflects: Opportunities Competence Commitment Drucker, P. F. (2003). What is our mission? In Business leadership: A Jossey–Bass reader. San Francisco: Jossey - Bass.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Why do we need a mission statement? Alice came to a fork in the road. “Which road do I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?” responded the Cheshire cat. “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “ it doesn’t matter.” Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Why do we need a mission statement? “Unless the mission is explicitly expressed, clearly understood, and supported by every member of the organization, the enterprise is at the mercy of events” (p. 371). Peter Drucker Drucker, P. F. (2003). What is our mission? In Business leadership: A Jossey–Bass reader . San Francisco: Jossey - Bass.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Why do we need a mission statement? A mission statement guides the decisions we make about what we do and how we accomplish it. It is a vital portion of any institutional effort to restructure or revitalize academic advising.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Designing a Mission Statement Identify Key Stakeholders Brainstorm Current State of Academic Advising Identify the Ideal for Advising on Your Campus Synthesize the Ideal with Existing Standards Draft Tentative Vision and Mission Statements Identify Goal Statements Identify Objectives Susan Campbell Vision, Mission, Goals, and Program Objectives for Academic Advising Programs Academic Advising: A Comprehensive Handbook, 2nd edition

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Consistent with institutional mission & vision Includes a wide variety of constituencies Serves as a guide to the decisions we make Lays the foundation for assessment Oregon State University academic advising is a teaching and learning process dedicated to student success. Academic advising engages students in developing a plan to realize their educational, career and life goals. The mission of Engineering Advising is to provide services to assist Engineering students in achieving their academic goals and personal successes at Cornell University.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Vision Statement Vision statements represent the core priorities in the institution’s culture. Advising vision statements connect to institution’s vision statement. Advising vision statements drive the intent and planning for advising and advisors’ priorities.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Vision Statement Oregon State University aspires to be recognized nationally for excellence in academic advising among land grant institutions. Indiana State University will be known as an institution where every student is matched with an academic advisor dedicated to aligning student talents and ambitions with sound curricular and co-curricular choices. The McCoy College Academic Advising Center will be a national model for excellence and innovation in academic advising. (Texas State San Marcos) Academic Advising at the University of Louisville aspires to be a dynamic, nationally- recognized system that sets standards of excellence focused on student learning, technological innovation, and a collaborative commitment to student success in a diverse and changing society.

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Vision Statement The mission of Engineering Advising is to provide services to assist Engineering students in achieving their academic goals and personal successes at Cornell University. GOALS/OUTCOMES 1. to provide accurate and current information 2. to work in partnership to promote student success 3. to work with students in an environment emphasizing the developmental process 4. to constantly improve our services to students 5. to promote the shared responsibility of academic advising between student & advisor 6. to evaluate and assess our programs and services Based upon Cornell University College of Engineering Goals and Objectives

MISSION STATEMENT Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Vision Statement GOALS/OUTCOMES Advising Program Strategies and Criteria Assist students in their consideration and clarification of educational goals Assist students in developing an educational plan consistent with their goals Provide accurate information about institutional policies, procedures, and resources Assist students in evaluation or re-evaluation of progress toward established goals Make referrals to resources within and outside of the college as appropriate Empower and encourage students to be self-directed learners Based upon Eastern Michigan University

MISSION STATEMENT Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Vision Statement GOALS/OUTCOMES Advising Program Strategies and Criteria Organization Delivery Roles/ Responsibilities Training and Tools Program and Advisor Assessment

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristics of a quality mission statement Visionary Ties to the vision of what we aspire to be/deliver Says what we want to be remembered for Helps our people understand how they can contribute

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristics of a quality mission statement Broad Does not claim to be all things to all people Does not narrowly define what we do Provides the umbrella for our services

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristics of a quality mission statement Realistic Practical Workable Easily turned into program goals

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristics of a quality mission statement Motivational Inspires commitment among employees Something to strive for Presents an ideal

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristics of a quality mission statement Short and Concise Elevator pitch 25 words or less Tee shirt No more than three sentences

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristics of a quality mission statement Easily understood Plain language Without jargon Simple sentences

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Sample Advising Mission Statement The Mission of University College Academic Advising is to assist new, transfer, and transitioning students to develop and implement individual plans for achieving educational and life goals. University of Utah

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Sample Advising Mission Statement The primary purpose of academic advising is to assist students in the development of meaningful curricular and co-curricular plans and to align those plans with attainable life goals. Indiana State University

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Sample Advising Mission Statement Academic Advising at the University of Louisville is an on-going, intentional, educational partnership dedicated to student academic success. The University is committed to an academic advising system that guides students to discover and pursue life goals, supports diverse and equitable educational experiences, advances students' intellectual and cultural development, and teaches students to become engaged, self-directed learners and competent decision makers. University of Louisville

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Characteristic Very Good Good Neutral Weak Poor Visionary Breadth Realistic Motivational Short/Concise Easy to Understand

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Small group exercise Individually rate the advising mission statement assigned to your group using the rating form Discuss your ratings with others in your group Share your feedback with the group

Developing an Academic Advising Mission Statement Share your thoughts What did you like from the mission statements? Why? What goals/outcomes could be drawn from this statement?

Pick one mission statement and rewrite to fit your situation. What vision statement might you suggested? What goals/outcomes could be drawn from the mission statement? Share your mission statement and suggested goals/objectives with the session participants