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2.G.6 Academic Advising

The institution designs, maintains, and evaluates a systematic and effective program of academic advisement to support student development and success. Personnel responsible for advising students are knowledgeable of the curriculum, program and graduation requirements, and are adequately prepared to successfully fulfill their responsibilities. Advising requirements and responsibilities of advisors are defined, published, and made available to students.

At UAF, academic advising is a cornerstone of our commitment to student development and success. Effective advising plays a critical role in helping students navigate their academic journey, make informed decisions, and ultimately achieve their educational and career goals. To this end, UAF has developed a systematic and effective academic advising program that is continuously evaluated and refined to meet the evolving needs of our student population.

Academic advising structure. is designed to provide consistent, personalized support throughout a student’s academic career. The university . This dual approach ensures that students receive specialized guidance appropriate to their academic standing and field of study.

provide dedicated support for incoming students, focusing on orientation, course selection, and academic planning. Advisors work closely with students during their first year to help them adjust to university life and set the foundation for long-term success. The university's comprehensive first-year advising program (Nanook Advising) supports students during their transition to university life, a high-impact practice linked to increased retention and persistence. First-year advising specialists also support Honors ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ students and student athletes. A coordinated handoff from first-year to departmental advisors ensures consistent guidance and sustains student progress and engagement. First-year advising also includes Rural Student Services (RSS) and Student Support Services (SSS), the latter being a federally funded TRIO program. RSS is a support program at UAF that serves Alaska Native and rural students, helping them succeed and feel at home on campus, while SSS provides comprehensive academic and personal support to first-generation, low-income, and disabled students to help them achieve their educational and career goals. Many first-year advising specialists are located in the UAF Student Success Center (SSC). The SSC is a centralized hub that brings together academic advising, career services, academic tutoring in mathematics/statistics, communications, and writing, academic coaching, and .

Once students complete their first 24-35 credits, they are assigned a major advisor within their department who specializes in their academic discipline. These advisors provide guidance on program requirements, course sequencing, and career opportunities, ensuring that students remain on track to meet their graduation requirements.

All advisors at the UAF Troth Yeddha’, the Community and Technical ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ, and rural campuses are available to meet with students via in-person, virtual, and phone appointments. This flexibility ensures that all students, regardless of their geographic location or schedule, can access timely advising services. Express advising is offered on two days of each week in the Student Success Center. UAF offers drop-in/walk-in advising for the first two weeks of the semester in addition to daily drop-in hours during the regular academic year. This ensures that students can always access an advisor to address any immediate questions before being connected back to their primary advisor.

Advisors at UAF take a proactive approach by reaching out to students at key points in their academic journey. This includes early intervention for students who are struggling academically, as well as routine check-ins to ensure they are on track to meet their educational goals. Advisors identify and address student needs through UAF's Nanook Navigator advising platform. In addition to their regular advising duties, advisors receive issued by faculty or other concerned staff about students who may be struggling academically or personally. These alerts prompt advisors to reach out proactively to students, offering guidance and connecting them with appropriate resources to support their success. This early intervention approach ensures that students receive timely assistance to overcome challenges and stay on track toward their academic goals. 

Career services. UAF Career Services is overseen by a director of career services and is colocated with first-year advising in the Student Success Center (SSC) to better integrate career-related advising into the student experience from the start. Career Services offers career and internship advising, assistance with obtaining student jobs, resume/cover letter writing assistance, mock interviews, Strong Interest Inventory assessment advising, and three career fairs each academic year and one Student Job Fair. The Nanook Career Closet in the SSC provides students in need with professional clothing for job and internship interviews. Career Services administers the Next Destination Survey through the Handshake platform to collect data from graduating students about their post-graduation plans.

Advisor training and professional development. Advisors at UAF are knowledgeable about academic curricula, program requirements, and institutional policies. All advisors undergo standardized training upon their appointment, which includes an overview of the university’s academic policies, degree requirements, training on advising software/systems, and student resources. In addition to a regularly updated Advisor Training Guide and Handbook (which provides a comprehensive overview of the policies, offices, and resources that an advisor needs in their first year), there is also a standardized six-week onboarding schedule that operates as a resource for the incoming advisor and advisor’s supervisor. As part of their training, advisors participate in job shadowing with experienced advisors, gaining insights into diverse advising practices and the specific needs of different departments. Ongoing professional development opportunities, , are also provided to ensure advisors stay current with changes in curricula, advising practices, and student support resources.

Advisors must be well-versed in their assigned program’s curriculum and graduation requirements. This ensures that they can provide accurate, up-to-date information to students regarding course selection, program milestones, and graduation timelines. First-year advising specialists also collaborate regularly with all departments to stay informed on program updates and requirements, enabling them to better support first-year students in making informed academic decisions.

UAF advisors, including faculty advisors, participate in weekly led by the director of advising to , share updates, learn from one another, receive training, and stay connected. These gatherings foster consistent communication and collaboration across advising units. Advisors also work closely with faculty, the registrar’s office, and student services to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to student success. This collaborative structure helps provide students with well-rounded support, especially in situations involving academic challenges or special circumstances.

Advising at UAF is governed by the ). This group was previously called the University Academic Advising Council (UAAC), and the transition to NALC was approved by the UAAC membership. The NALC aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of UAF's advising operations. The council provides proactive leadership, advances retention and enrollment growth initiatives, serves as a unified voice for the advising community, and advocates for the needs and interests of professional academic advisors. Members of the NALC represent advising units across UAF.

Advising assessment. UAF is committed to . Regular efforts are made to gather input from students, faculty, and staff on the quality of advising services to identify areas for growth and guide ongoing enhancements to better meet the needs of the university community. While some advising offices at UAF had previously conducted localized student satisfaction surveys, there was no comprehensive, university-wide assessment of advising until recently. To address this gap, using since the fall 2024 semester. Based on results to date, student satisfaction with advising and on students' confidence in advisors’ knowledge of graduation requirements. For example, the survey showed increased student satisfaction with Nanook Advising, increasing from 83.1% satisfaction in fall 2024 to 87.8% satisfaction in fall 2025. This survey is part of a structured, annual cycle of assessment focused on continuous improvement to analyze data trends for each academic year, benchmark these data across student groups, and use the data to develop targeted recommendations. Advising assessment data will be reviewed and implemented by advising units, with follow-up analysis to evaluate impact and guide future changes. This process will ensure advising remains student-centered, data-informed, and responsive to evolving student needs.

Advisors in Nanook Advising receive an annual performance evaluation from their supervisor, during which their advising skills, knowledge, and effectiveness are assessed. These evaluations include setting goals for the upcoming year, thus creating a culture of continuous improvement. Advisors are encouraged to enhance their practice through professional development and peer mentoring/shadowing. Through this systematic approach to advising, UAF ensures that students receive the support, guidance, and resources necessary to achieve academic success. This approach ensures refinement of advising services to meet the diverse needs of UAF students and support their growth and development during their academic careers.