Total Advising

The Advising Task Force recommended that the University develop better ways of sharing information with students through both enhanced technology and engagement with peers. Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, the Advising Communications Committee dove deeper into these recommendations, setting priorities and developing action plans.

Overview 

In July 2022, the Advising Software Committee was charged with recommending a platform to assist students in academic planning and facilitate collaboration among undergraduate advisors across the University. Sponsored by University leaders in academic administration, information technology, and student affairs, the committee drew its members from more than 20 offices across Grounds. Members brought a range of expertise, perspectives, and experience to the work.  

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.