Academic Affairs

We are participating in a Learning Community Cluster with 13 other institutions. Through deep engagement with colleagues across the country, we are asking a fundamental question: What would it take for institutions to make a comprehensive shift from deficit- to achievement-oriented frameworks in their approaches to the introductory science experience?

Executive Sponsors

• Brie Gertler, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
• Robyn S.

Executive Sponsors

• Virginia Evans, Vice President & Chief Information Officer
• Brie Gertler, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
• Robyn S.

Our vision, as articulated in The 2030 Plan, is to “ensure that students receive the advising and support they need to thrive on Grounds and beyond.” The Advising Task Force was convened to closely examine undergraduate advising at the University in order to understand where we are, where we aspire to be, and how we may reach our aspirations. The Task Force Report articulates a vision for undergraduate advising and a set of recommendations to realize our aspirations.

The Task Force took under consideration the current status of undergraduate advising at UVA (where we are), our aspirations for advising (where we want to be), and what we have learned from other institutions. In light of those insights, we conclude by outlining six broad recommendations for realizing our vision for excellent and equitable advising.

Advising is constantly evolving and must be a part of a cycle of continuous improvement. That’s one of the key messages from our conversations with other institutions. Students change, needs change, understanding and expectations of advising change.... and advising structures need to respond to those changes, always keeping students at the center and aiming to develop the best possible support system to help them thrive.

This section presents key pieces of data (for more information on data sources, please see Appendix C) to reflect on our current state relative to the four pillars of excellent and equitable advising identified in the preceding section.

Listening sessions with almost 200 faculty, staff, and students (see Appendix C) elicited their visions for advising by asking them to recollect exceptional advising experiences.