Last time we hoped to inspire you with quotes from former Outstanding Advisor Award winners. This time we have more inspiration for you—but from further back! Enjoy this blast from the past!
Rita Baker, 2002 Winner
A successful advisor will remove the word “I” from their repertoire when talking with students.
If a minute count were done, a successful advisor will have spent more minutes listening than speaking. A successful advisor puts the world aside and listens with ears and eyes.
A successful advisor puts themselves in the seat of the student, literally and figuratively, often. Empathy is a key player in quality advising.
The student leaving the advising session should leave feeling like someone has not only listened, but heard and cared. “You have all the qualities it takes to do well…please let me know how it goes” can be the one statement that makes a student feel cared for at college.
Erik Props, 2000 Winner
To me, the most important advice is to be a good listener. By listening you’ll find out what their goals are and what they are passionate about so you can help put them on a path to success. You’ll also hear about their struggles; and, sometimes, what they do not say is very telling. You should also know as much as possible about your own programs as well as other campus opportunities and resources. Share your knowledge with the idea of empowering the student to make their own decisions and take control of their career and college experience. Help them grow by pushing them beyond their comfort zone.
Cher Yazvac, 1995 Winner
Being a successful advisor is a combination of being knowledgeable about the myriad of programs and procedures at Purdue, being an insightful & creative listener and communicator, and being 100% “for” each student.
Roberta Schonemann, 1994 Winner
Advisors need to be well-informed on university and school (They call them “colleges” now?) policies. Importantly, they should be good listeners, make an effort to learn their advisees’ names, and encourage independent decision making (not make the decision!) through the discussion and evaluation of options. Above all, like and respect young people.
Alan Welch, 1992 Winner
Just one thing? Wow. I doubt I’ll stop at one!
Treat students like adults, whether or not they are acting like adults. Resist the urge to be their parents away from home. People will generally respond appropriately, and if you talk to them as an adult, they’ll learn how to respond that way. The students need to learn to talk to their parents the same way.
Make a connection with your advisee that’s something more than their name and major. It will help you remember them better and will let the student know that you care about them as a person.
Don’t get hung up on ‘the company line’. Help your students dream about what they can really accomplish and what they are passionate about, even if it’s not furthering the current stated goals in retention or goals of the University. If the goals they have are not matching with evidence (grades, progress, etc.), give them that evidence and let them draw their own conclusion; you don’t need to spell it out for them. It might take a little longer, but the effect will be more lasting.