Holistic student support as the organizing framework for effective advising¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 quant-synthesis), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The guide's overarching framework holds that advising is most effective when integrated within holistic student support. Holistic student support "provides all students with the types and intensities of information, services, and resources they need to identify, select, and progress on the best pathway" to their educational and career goals, meets students developmentally, addresses individual needs, and leverages strengths. In this model, advisors play a central role in connecting students to a wide range of academic and non-academic supports, contrasting with a typical approach where disconnected supports leave students to navigate on their own.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Institutions must make and sustain a commitment to holistic student support from enrollment to graduation and continually integrate advising services into students' college experience

Constraints¶

• Adopting or adapting new advising approaches can be both time and resource intensive; rising resource constraints could make it hard to enact all recommendations

Target Learners¶

• postsecondary students at community colleges and 4-year institutions

Target Learning Objectives¶

• persistence toward degree completion and transition into employment or further education

Claims¶

• Comprehensive Integrated Advising Improves Persistence And Degree Attainment [+M]

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

• Student needs assessment template for designing comprehensive advising
• Use NACADA's structuring factors to situate advising as a core institutional function
• Integrate layered student support services across the transitions from middle and high school, into college, and through college

Key Sources¶

• Karp, M., Ackerson, S., Cheng, I., Cocatre-Zilgien, E., Costelloe, S., Freeman, B., Lemire, S., Linderman, D., McFarlane, B., Moulton, S., O'Shea, J., Porowski, A., & Richburg-Hayes, L. (2021). Effective advising for postsecondary students: A practice guide for educators (WWC 2022003). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/28