There is a strong correlation between how students feel about the quality of their advising and how they feel about their higher education institutions (Simpson, 2018). Student feelings about both the Institution and the advising department should be considered assets that can be nurtured, not just for the benefit of the existing student population but for the perception of the institution within the community it endeavors to serve. For online programs, for which creating connections with their population can be difficult, this is even more important.
One avenue to meeting the needs of the student population and nurturing this population is through one-stop advising.
Simpson (2018) identifies four main components of this model at California Baptist University:
- Centralized Communication: Advisor provides a clear, personalized. and relevant messages.
- Problem Solving: Students are encouraged to problem-solve with their advisors.
- Relationship Management: Personalized approach to advising to ensure student success and satisfaction.
- Administrative Tracking and Processing: Metrics in place to ensure tasks are completed in a timely and successful manner.
An advising department which is fully supported and ready to meet the needs can increase retention, activate stopped out students, boost the perception of the institution, and decrease the workload of related departments.
Simpson, R. (2018). Changing How We Think about Advising Online Students: One-Stop Student Service Advising Model. College and University, 93(1), 2–6.
