Advising the Students of Today

Advising the Students of Today is an academic advising certificate program designed for staff already working in an academic advising position at UC Santa Cruz. The program, developed by the Division of Undergraduate Education’s Office of Campus Advising Coordination, aims to support advisors in building general foundations of advising including NACADA “core competencies,” and essential skills for working with the students who make up our diverse undergraduate population.

By ensuring the academic advising community at UC Santa Cruz has an opportunity to be developed not only in concepts such as academic advising strategies and student development theory, but also in concepts such as stereotype threat, recognizing microaggressions, and the power of a growth mindset, we are better positioned to effectively support our students’ sense of belonging and ultimate academic success.

How was the program developed?

The Office of Campus Advising Coordination successfully applied for funding from UC's Office of the President designed to support access and retention of students from LCFF+ high schools - this population typically includes low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. Ensuring that our academic advising staff is well-trained in supporting these populations is a key part of improving their experience and progress to graduation.

The funding was used to hire a NACADA consultant, who developed a report with recommendations for the curriculum. We worked with other consultants who developed the online modules. We are very appreciative both to the UC Office of the President and to NACADA for their support in developing this program.

Who can participate?

The program is open to college advisors, lead preceptors, academic advisors in a division/department/major, and divisional lead advisors. To be eligible you must obtain supervisor approval prior to submitting your interest form. Discuss with your supervisor what it will mean to attend, and how it will affect your work schedule. Participants will need to ask their supervisor to submit confirmation of support prior to the start of the program.

How will participants be chosen, and who will facilitate the program this year?

We hope to be able to accommodate all college advisors, lead preceptors, academic advisors in a division/department/major, and divisional lead advisors who express interest.  Advisors have shared that it is helpful to have first completed an academic year at UCSC prior to participating in the certificate program. Please note, the program will be going on hiatus 2025-2027, and resume in 2027-2028.

In 2024-2025, Verónica López-Durán and Winnie Tang will facilitate the program.

How much time does it take?

The program is completed over the course of an academic year. There are three modules in each of fall, winter, and spring quarters, and a final meeting in summer; each module consists of approximately 4 hours of independent online work (readings, viewing videos, etc.), followed by a 2-hour facilitated discussion which all participants must attend. This results in a commitment of close to 40 hours of outside class time and 20 hours of class time (i.e discussion/interactive group activities). 

It is important to consider time management strategies and approaches prior to submitting your interest form given the time commitment necessary to successfully complete the program. Please note that participants may miss no more than one meeting to earn the certificate. The culminating project will be to develop your own personal philosophy of advising.

All discussions will take place on Fridays via Zoom. from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.:

* The Multicultural Advising Conference E-course is required between the second and third meetings in fall quarter.

What topics will be covered?

The topics will be consistent with NACADA’s conceptual framework for advisor training, and will include conceptual, relational, and informational topics:

Conceptual

Relational

Informational

How much does it cost?

There is no cost to advisors or their units to participate.

How can I register?

The interest form for 2024-2025 will be available in August. A call from the Office of Campus Advising Coordination will be sent to college and department/major advisors with a deadline of September 5. Advisors have shared that it is helpful to have first completed an academic year at UCSC prior to participating in the certificate program.  Please note, the program will be going on hiatus 2025-2027, and the current plan is to have it resume in 2027-2028.