Mission

Our mission is to help institutions build a culture of student success, with a focus on students from low-income backgrounds and Black, Latinx/a/o, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander students, by identifying, building, and scaling equitable and holistic advising solutions that support all facets of the student experience.

Vision

Our vision is a higher education landscape that has eliminated race and income as predictors of student success through a reformed approach to advising, in which all students are supported through a seamless, personalized postsecondary experience that creates better personal, academic, and professional outcomes.

Definition

Advising is a critical component of student success, and a “bright star” in the integrated constellation of student supports at an institution. The advisor-advisee relationship supports students as they identify and attain their academic, career, and personal goals.

The network defines “advising” as encompassing more than the student interaction, to also include the structure and operations of academic advising; the roles and responsibilities of primary-role and faculty advisors; and advising pedagogies, approaches, and models.

Network Partners

NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) is the leading association for the advancement of the student affairs profession. Within the Advising Success Network, NASPA is well-positioned at the intersection of student and academic affairs to play the role of convener, thereby ensuring collaboration between partners, quality of technical assistance, and alignment with the guiding principles of the network.

The ASN has a deep understanding of the interconnection between advising, broader institutional goals, and student success. As thought leaders and experts in the field of holistic advising, we are able to provide resources on best practices in the field of advising as well as change management services to the institution more broadly. We believe this will result in new and reviewed structures and systems for advising that were designed to address racial and socioeconomic inequities and contribute positively to institutional goals and student outcomes.

We recognize that there is a large amount of variance in organizational structures, advising models, and student needs among higher education institutions. We, therefore, begin each engagement by aligning on a shared vision of student success, reviewing existing advising processes, policies and structures, including metrics (e.g. equity..) and always with the joint goal of creating more equitable experiences and outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds, as well as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander students. 

NASPA’s five core partners are dedicated to the advancement of the field of holistic advising. Leveraging their collective expertise and existing research and resources, they are well-positioned to provide effective solutions and materials across higher education.

The Network Partners

Achieving the Dream (ATD) leads a growing network of more than 277 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity. ATD is making progress in closing academic achievement gaps and accelerating student success through a unique change process that builds each college’s institutional capacities in seven essential areas. ATD, along with nearly 75 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with Network colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia to reach more than 4 million community college students.

AASCU

AASCU  is a Washington-based  higher education association of nearly 420 public colleges, universities and systems whose members share a learning and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic  progress and cultural development.

Educause

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association and the largest community of technology, academic, industry, and campus leaders advancing higher education through the use of IT.

NACADA

NACADA promotes student success by advancing the field of academic advising globally. They provide opportunities for professional development, networking, and leadership for their diverse membership.

National Resource Center - University of South Carolina

The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition serves as the trusted expert, internationally recognized leader, and clearinghouse for scholarship, policy, and best practice for all postsecondary student transitions. The Center serves education professionals by supporting and advancing efforts to improve student learning and transitions into and through higher education. Convening of conferences and other professional development events; publication of scholarly books, periodicals and guides; and conducting national research studies are a few of the ways the Center accomplishes this mission.

Common Questions About The Network

How were the partners selected? Mask Created with Sketch. Mask Created with Sketch.

Core partners were selected based on existing relationships with institutions; reputation; subject matter expertise; commitment to quality and equity; on-the-ground understanding of field needs; and prior work with IPASS, Jobs for the Future (JFF), and Frontier Set institutions. 

How can I get involved? Mask Created with Sketch. Mask Created with Sketch.

We are happy to know you are interested in the Network! The best next step is to fill out the connect with us form and we will be in touch.

Currently, we are piloting services with a select number of institutions. We are, however, interested in learning more about advising redesign across the globe and would love to share your stories. Please connect with us!

Will you be presenting at any conferences? Mask Created with Sketch. Mask Created with Sketch.

Yes, this is our hope. Due to COVID-19, many of our sessions are currently on hold. You can find out where we will be under the Events page on this site.