We examined whether the odds of experiencing academic, financial, or health-related obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly (p < 0.05) different between students attending rural and suburban/urban colleges. We used data from a multi-institutional survey of 31,575 four-year college/university students attending seven rural and…

The role of academic advising in higher education remains largely misunderstood by university stakeholders, faculty and staff, students, and academic advisors. Many hold the simplistic view that academic advising is merely transmitting information to students to ensure timely graduation, a perception that limits what advising can do for student…

The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between pre-transfer advising and the development of transfer student capital (TSC) for students who have transferred from community college to a four-year university. Using TSC as a framework, this qualitative case study seeks to identify the roles that pre-transfer advisors at community…

Dual enrollment (DE) is a common method for high schools to offer postsecondary preparation, exposure to college-level expectations, and, potentially, college credit. Some dual-enrollment students enter college with 24 semester hours. Upon matriculation, these high-credit DE (HCDE) students present unique challenges to college academic advisors.…

Often the frontline campus representatives who interact with undecided students, academic advisors receive the opportunity to offer academic support and guidance during the academic journey, which especially benefits first-year students trying to navigate this new and challenging endeavor. As a result of their unique position, advisors have the…

In this study, we sought to determine whether psychosocial development and self-efficacy of major changers differ from those classified as relatively stable. Participants completed the "Life-Skills Inventory-College" (Picklesimer, 1991) form to measure psychosocial development and the "General Self-efficacy" (Schwarzer &…

A purposive sample (2 males, 3 females) of students (aged 18-29 years) with chronic illness completed standardized measures and a semi-structured interview. Content analysis of the interview data revealed two themes: stress exacerbating symptoms of illness and a desire for a support group on campus. Viewed through the theory of emerging adulthood,…

A survey of 103 undergraduate and graduate students found both traditional and nontraditional students rated prescriptive advising as more important and more satisfactory than developmental advising, but both groups also found the advising they received (of either kind) less satisfactory than desired. The questionnaire used is appended. (MSE)

A study of 236 undecided students and 263 pre-engineering majors examined differences in ego-identity development, the relationship between ego-identity status and career and major decidedness, and the relationship between advising needs and ego-identity status. Results show status and advising needs vary with individuals, not always directly…

The impact of developmental advising activities with high-achieving Black students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania was investigated. Results indicate that involvement in developmental advising had a positive impact on participating students' cumulative grade point average. (Author/MLW)

A study to "arrive at a clearer understanding of the type of relationship students want when interacting with a faculty advisor" is described. The results indicate that most students think it is important for their advisor to be personally acquainted with them. (Author/MLW)

The Family and Child Development Advising Center at Kansas State University, created to centralize all advising functions into one operation, seeks also to explore the more personal aspects of the student's academic program and vocational decisions. A questionnaire survey of student perceptions of the centralized advising center is discussed. (MLW)

The quality of the student-faculty interaction in academic advising is a major contributing variable to institutional holding power. Students were surveyed for the type of relationship that was most productive, qualitative and satisfying for them. The student development theory in advising was explored. (MLW)

Data collected during new-student orientation on nontraditional-age and traditional-age first-time students indicated more psychosocial similarities than differences between them. Results suggest that first-entry nontraditional students experience some of the same needs and concerns in higher education as do their younger peers. Referrals to…

Ten popular myths about higher education's effect on students are questioned. Issues include: test scores in assessment of college impact; college effect on student development; institutional resources/prestige and quality; two-year college attendance; educational quality at historically black colleges; teaching methods; faculty research; teaching…