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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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?

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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?

13. 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

15. Susan Poch, PhD
Washington State University