Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA)
Wayne State University recognizes the importance and value of a dynamic academic advising community as part of the support system for student success. Since 2012, the University has invested heavily in the advising structure through increased advising personnel, a formalized training structure, and dynamic advising technology. Seven years later, we are positioned to evaluate our advising program and make recommendations for improvements and changes. The Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA) initiative, developed by NACADA and the Gardner Institute, will provide WSU with this opportunity through a systemic and holistic review of academic advising with support and guidance from experts in the field and experts in educational and organizational change.
The EAA initiative will be a campus-wide, collaborative project involving key stakeholders, school/college administrators, academic advisors, faculty, other student success professionals, and students. The three-year initiative aims to take WSU advising to the next level of excellence through an evidence-based self-study focused on a set of nine aspirational standards, or "Conditions of Excellence in Academic Advising" established by EAA. Current project goals include:
- Improvement in student grades, academic standing, persistence, and retention and completion rates.
- Increased likelihood that underrepresented students starting in fields such as STEM or business complete that degree.
- Improved understanding of (social capital) and comfort with (sense of belonging) the academic advising system for all students.
- Improvement of the academic advising transition pathways between primary sending (2-year) and primary receiving (4-year) institutions in an urban ecosystem.
- Elimination of dissonance between advisor perception and student perception of the expectations, effectiveness, and structure of the academic advising program at Wayne State.
- Improved advisor content and conceptual knowledge of diverse student populations in urban institutional environments.
- Supported and improved advising practices.
WSU is one of 12 institutions in an Urban Ecosystems Cohort of EAA. With a start date of fall 2020, the project will continue through the end of 2023. Any WSU faculty or staff interested in participating in the current or future phases should contact the project liaisons Kate Bernas (ab9599) or Cheryl Kollin (ac9693).
EAA Phase 1 Comprehensive Report
Upon submission of all EAA Condition Committee reports, the WSU EAA Steering Committee worked with its fellow to identify the top recommendations that would be included in its Comprehensive Report. The report, along with a letter from EAA Fellow Dr. Victoria McGillin, is linked below and was submitted to Provost Marc Kornbluh, Vice President Ahmad Ezzeddine, Associate Provost Darin Ellis, and Senior Director of Academic Student Affiars Darryl Gardner on February 7, 2023.
WSU EAA Comprehensive Report (word doc)