The New Advisor Guidebook: Mastering the Art of Academic Advising by Pat Folsom

by Pat Folsom

This is an exciting time to be an academic advisor--a time in which global recognition of the importance of advising is growing, research affirms the critical role advising plays in student success, and institutions of higher education increasingly view advising as integral to their missions and essential for improving the quality of students' educational experiences. It is essential that advisors provide knowledgeable, realistic counsel to the students in their charge. "The New Advisor Guidebook" helps advisors meet this challenge.The first and final chapters of the book identify the knowledge and skills advisors must master. These chapters present frameworks for setting and benchmarking self-development goals and for creating self-development plans. Each of the chapters in between focuses on foundational the basic terms, concepts, information, and skills advisors must learn in their first year and upon which they will build over the lengths of their careers. These chapters include strategies, questions, guidelines, examples, and case studies that give advisors the tools to apply this content in their work with students, from demonstrations of how student development theories might play out in advising sessions to questions advisors can ask to become aware of their biases and avoid making assumptions about students to a checklist for improving listening, interviewing, and referral skills. The book covers various ways in which advising is one-to-one, in groups, and online."The New Advisor Guidebook" serves as an introduction to what advisors must know to do their jobs effectively. It pairs with "Academic Advising Strategies That Teach Students to Make the Most of College, " also from NACADA, which presents the delivery strategies successful advisors can use to help students make the most of their college experience.

Genres: School

Hardcover

First published September 28, 2015

Reviews

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Have for Advisors at Every Stage

I'll admit I picked up "The New Advisor Guidebook: Mastering the Art of Academic Advising" expecting a refresher at best. After several years in the field, I figured I'd already covered most of this ground. I was wrong, in the best possible way.

This book is a genuinely outstanding resource. The quality of information is exceptional: thorough, well-organized, and grounded in the real demands of academic advising work. What impressed me most, however, is how well it has aged. Despite its years in print, the guidebook has been thoughtfully updated, and its core guidance remains as practical and relevant today as ever. Nothing feels dated or out of touch with the realities of modern advising.

For seasoned advisors, this isn't just a walk down memory lane...it's a meaningful opportunity to revisit foundational principles with fresh eyes and perhaps rediscover approaches worth reapplying. For those newer to the profession, it's simply essential reading.

I came away from this book energized and already looking forward to revisiting it. That alone says everything. Highly recommended.

[Adrianna Rodriguez]

I read this for professional development. I found it was very informative in terms of understanding the field of Academic Advising. However, given the book was last published in 2015, an updated edition is long overdue to account for how online advising models have evolved in the wake of COVID.

[Carly G]

Read for Professional Development

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really helpful book for my during this stage of my professional career. It is a textbook, but it has helpful guides throughout that serve as a reference for best practices.