1. Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising
Heidi van Beek
University of California, Davis
Assistant Director, University Honors Program

2. Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Introduction
My interest in this topic…
NACADA & related advising literature (especially: Marc Lowenstein’s article: Toward a Theory of Advising - The Mentor, August 2014)
Learning Outcomes:
Reminder to Reflect
Re/define your personal-professional relationship to NACADA Core Values
Write a working draft of your personal philosophy or revise your personal philosophy – it develops and changes over time
Presentation – three parts: background, processing & action

3. Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Part One - Background
NACADA
Literature
You
Core Values: Advisors are Responsible to/for…
individuals they advise
involving others, when appropriate, in the process
their institutions
higher education
their educational community
their professional practices and for themselves personally
Article: Creating a Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising (2011)
“Creating a written personal philosophy of academic advising requires thought, introspection, study and clearly communicated personal objectives for advising.”
David Freitag, Pima Community College – Tucson, AZ
As a professional
Previous experience(s)
Current position
How you arrived to where you are today
Upbringing (culture & location)
Education
Personal Experiences
As a human
World View
Beliefs

4. Part One – Background: NACADA Core Values
THINK --- PAIR --- SHARE
Think: NACADA Core Values Declaration
Pair: Introduce self - name, institution, job
Share:
How often do you think about the NACADA Core Values within your job?
Are the Core Values your foundation?
In what ways are you committed to these values?
Why did you choose to come to this session?

5. Part One – Background: Literature
Toward a Theory of Advising - Lowenstein
Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising – Freitag
Important questions for developing a philosophy
Dissects the difference between a theory in as compared to a theory of.
Theory of Advising:
identifies essential characteristics that distinguish it from other practices
is normative – prescribes what ought to happen
Article incorporates reflection on NACADA Core Values
Builds upon Nikki Allen Dyer’s article on Advisement Philosophy (2007)
Reflects on developing an advising portfolio which includes an advising mission statement
Why am I an academic advisor?
How do I make a difference in the lives of students and colleagues?
How do I demonstrate to my students that their lives matter?
Think – - Pair - - Share

6. Part One – Background: You!
As a professional
As a human
How you arrived to where you are today
Part One – Background: You!

7. THINK --- PAIR --- SHARE
Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Part Two - Processing
THINK --- PAIR --- SHARE
How could a personal statement be helpful to me, in my work?
How might a personal statement contribute to/guide my professional practice?
Is a personal philosophy worth creating?

8. Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Part Three - Action
Examples of a Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising
Kasey Gregerson – University of Minnesota
David Freitag – Pima Community College (personal website)
Aims Community College – Advising website, staff profiles

9. Pen to paper, or hands on the keyboard, it is
Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Part Three - Action
Pen to paper, or hands on the keyboard, it is
time to write!
“My philosophy gives me a sense of clarity and focus in my day-to-day interactions with students and in my long-term career goals.” – Nikki Allen Dyer

10. Continue to develop your statement over the next 30 days
Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Part Three - Action
Continue to develop your statement over the next 30 days
Option for continued engagement:
Give copy to Heidi with address on it, or
take picture and to:
(I am an accountability partner – not an expert!)

11. Creating Your Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising: Conclusion
Thank you for participating; taking time for reflection is important.
Reconnect with the profession (NACADA Core Values)
Continue to engage with this process – colleagues, NACADA focus groups or me: (I am an accountability partner – not an expert!)

12. References & Thank you!
Dyer, A. N. (2007). Advisement philosophy. NACADA Monograph Series Number 16. Retrieved from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:  VFF.pdf
Freitag, D. (2011). Creating a Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising. Retrieved from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:  advising.aspx
Lowenstein, Mark. (2014, August 12). Toward a Theory of Advising. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. Retrieved from
Lutz, D. J., Boon, A. T., & Xiafei X. (2016, June 17). Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Academic Advising through Core Values and Aspirational Principles. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. Retrieved from
NACADA. (2005). NACADA statement of core values of academic advising. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: advising.aspx
NACADA. Personal advising philosophy examples. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: Articles/Personal-advising-philosophy-examples.aspx