Office of the Provost

Wilson Hall, Room 205
371 Wilson Boulevard
Rochester, MI 48309-4486
(location map)
(248) 370-2190

FYAC adviser talking to student

Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA)

Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA)

NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising has joined with the Gardner Institute to advance student learning, success, persistence, retention, and degree completion through a comprehensive, standards-based strategic planning process to promote excellence in academic advising.

Oakland University was selected as one of 12 institutions in the Urban Ecosystems Cohort of the Excellence in Academic Advising funded by The Kresge Foundation.

Highlights from the EAA launch are available here. If you are unable to view the Google doc, please email provost@oakland.edu and we will email the document to you.

EAA Leadership

Steering Committee

Anne Hitt*, Associate Provost

Shannon Esselink*, Director of Advising, College of Arts and Sciences

Sara Webb*, Senior Director of First Year Success

Song Yan*, Director, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Joe Shively, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Carrie Buch, Associate Dean, School of Nursing

Chris Kobus, Director of Outreach and Recruitment and Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Computer Science

Amanda Silvestri, OU student

Beth Talbert, Special Instructor & Senior Adviser for Communication
Chair, Institutional Commitment committee

Roberta Rea, Director of Advising, School of Education and Human Services
Chair, Learning committee

Willie Tuggle, Learning & Organizational Development Manager, University Human Resources
Chair, Adviser Selection and Development committee

Amy Tully, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Director, School of Music, Theatre and Dance
Chair, Improvement of the Scholarship of Advising committee

Sarah Jahimiak, Assistant Director for Advising, Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Co-Chair, Improvement of the Scholarship of Advising committee 

Tricia Westergaard, Registrar
Chair, Collaboration and Communication committee

Carmen Etienne, Director of Advising, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Chair, Organization committee

Jason Pennington, Director of Advising, School of Nursing
Chair, Student Purpose and Pathways committee

Michelle Southward, Director of Academic Advising and Student Services, School of Health Sciences
Chair, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity committee

Debbie Lengyel, Director of Advising Services, School of Business Administration
Chair, Technology Enabled Advising committee

*Also serve as Institutional Liaisons

EAA Committees

Aspirational standards for colleges and universities to evaluate and improve academic advising, referred to as the “Conditions of Excellence in Academic Advising, will serve as the foundation of the nine committees for this process.

Institutional Commitment

Institutions recognize that academic advising is a shared responsibility integral to the students’ educational experience and the institution’s teaching and learning mission. This commitment begins with an institutional academic advising mission statement that is informed by the values and beliefs of the institution. Both widely understood and articulated in institutional documents, this statement informs practice as well as the administration, organization, delivery, and assessment of academic advising.

Chair: Beth Talbert, Special Instructor and Senior Adviser for Communication
Carrie Buch , Associate Dean, School of Nursing
Shannon Esselink,  Director of Advising, College of Arts and Sciences
Carmen Etienne , Director of Advising, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Anne Hitt, Associate Provost
 Sarah Jahimiak , Assistant Director for Advising, Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Debbie Lengyel, Director of Advising Services, School of Business Administration
Jason Pennington , Director of Advising, School of Nursing
Roberta Rea , Director of Advising, School of Education and Human Services
Joe Shively , Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Amanda Silvestri, OU student
Michelle Southward , Director of Academic Advising and Student Services, School of Health Sciences
Beth Talbert , Special Instructor and Senior Adviser for Communication
Willie Tuggle , Learning and Organizational Development Manager, University Human Resources
Amy Tully , Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Director, School of Music, Theatre and Dance
Sara Webb, Senior Director of First Year Success
 Tricia Westergaard , Registrar
Song Yan, Director, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Learning

Institutions assure that academic advisors are knowledgeable about the institution’s expected learning outcomes, curriculum, pedagogy, and the student learning process. Excellent advising programs also establish curriculum, pedagogy, and student learning and developmental outcomes for academic advising throughout a student’s educational experience. Academic advising outcomes are aligned with the institution’s curriculum, academic advising mission, and goals. These outcomes are systematically assessed and refinements are made based upon documented assessment results.

Chair: Roberta Rea, Director of Advising, School of Education and Human Services
Co-chair:  Sarah Hosch, Special Instructor, Biological Sciences
Dan Arnold, Manger of Support Services, e-Learning and Instructional Support
Paul Battle, Senior Associate Registrar
Meaghan Cole, Experiential Programs Manager, School of Business Administration
William Daniels, Senior Academic Adviser, School of Health Sciences
Lisa Hawley, Professor, School of Education and Human Services
Kurt Kirkpatrick, Academic Adviser, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Fritz McDonald, Associate Professor, Philosophy
Rueben Ternes, Assistant Director, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Marie VanBuskirk, Assistant Director of Leadership and Engagement, University Recreation and Well-Being
Colleen Williams, OU student

Adviser Selection and Development

Institutions employ effective selection practices, professional development, and appropriate recognition and rewards for all advisors and advising administrators. Institutions and/or units establish clear expectations and requirements for advisors as well as systems for formative and summative feedback to advisors. Establishing position/role requirements for primary role advisors and processes for selecting, hiring, salary scales, and retaining quality academic advisors provide consistency for students and supports program sustainability. Ongoing professional development programs ensure that those in the academic advising community are current in advising skills and knowledge and that advising practice reflects the core values and competencies for excellent academic advising.

Chair: Willie Tuggle, Learning & Organizational Development Manager, University Human Resources
Co-chair:  Ann Selva, Coordinator, Pre-Professional Advising
Theresa Anasti, Assistant Professor, Social Work, Sociology and Anthropology
Destin Eddington, Academic Adviser, School of Business Administration
Kate Golder, Senior Academic Adviser, First Year Advising Center
Sarah Konrad, Senior Academic Adviser, School of Engineering and Computer Science
George Leaver, Director, Payroll
Nancy Osmialowski, Academic Adviser, School of Health Sciences
Lily Saari, OU student
John Sweet, Audio Visual Systems Engineer, Classroom Support Services
April Thomas-Powell, Academic Adviser, School of Nursing
Ann Voorheis-Sargent, Director, Center for Excellence in Medical Education, OUWB
Audrey Weber, OU student

Improvement of the Scholarship of Advising

Institutions committed to systematic assessment and evaluation recognize the complexity of the educational process and its theoretical underpinnings. They operate under the principles of ongoing, evidence-based plans for assessment of both advisors and advising programs. Members of the academic advising community are both critical consumers of, and contributors to, the scholarly literature, including the effects that advising can have on students and the role of advising in higher education.

Chair: Amy Tully, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Director, School of Music, Theatre and Dance
Co-chair:  Sarah Jahimiak, Assistant Director of Advising, Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Mariana Allushuski, Assistant Director, The Tutoring Center
Barbara Barber, Research Lab Veterinary Tech, Office of Research Administration
Susan Beckwith, Special Lecturer, English
Andreea Bordeianu, Academic Adviser, College of Arts and Sciences
Susanne Condron, Assessment Coordinator, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Megan Guiles, OU Student
Anne Holtvluwer, Academic Adviser, Honors College
Stephanie Lee, Administrative Associate, Academic Affairs
Michael MacDonald, Associate Dean, School of Education and Human Services
Adam McChesney, Senior Academic Adviser, School of Business Administration
Alana Tovar-Pineda, OU Student
Hnou Vue, Academic Adviser, School of Health Sciences

Collaboration and Communication

Effective academic advising requires coordination and collaborative partnerships among all units across campus. These partnerships foster ongoing communication and promote resource sharing. A collaboratively developed strategic communication plan, inclusive of all institutional stakeholders, involves frequent and intentional exchanges of information and ideas, is routinely reviewed and updated, and advances a shared aspirational vision for academic advising across all units.

Chair: Tricia Westergaard, Registrar
Co-chair:  Melanie Chamberlain, Academic Adviser, School of Education and Human Services
Blake Bonkowski, Academic Adviser, College of Arts and Sciences
Leslie Cunningham, OU alumni
Andrea Eis, Professor, Cinema Studies
Kelly Flemming, Senior Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions
Cory Glover, Communication Coordinator, First Year Advising Center
Jaclyn Keith, Academic Adviser, School of Business Administration
Lauren Leve, Academic Adviser, School of Business Administration
Rosemary Max, Executive Director, Global Engagement
Jill Tyus-Coates, Associate Director, Student Financial Services

Organization

Excellent advising programs are intentionally organized across the institution to meet the institutional academic mission, goals, and intended outcomes. The organization of academic advising must have structured leadership, appropriate resources, and a systematic approach to continuous assessment and improvement. The organizational structure supports the roles of all academic advisors, regardless of title.

Chair: Carmen Etienne, Director of Advising, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Co-Chair: Deb Cash, Director, The Tutoring Center
Fabia Battistuzzi, Associate Professor, Biology
Michael Bell, OU student
John Davidson, Associate Registrar of Systems and Technology, Office of the Registrar
Kristin Landis-Piwowar, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences
Tiffany LeDonne Smith, Academic Adviser, School of Business Administration
Matt Prentice, Senior Academic Adviser, College of Arts and Sciences
Laurie Shano, Academic Adviser, School of Education and Human Services
Celia Sanislow, OU student
Emily Stepanian-Bennett, Academic Adviser, School of Nursing
Holly Toggweiler, Graduate Recruiter, Graduate School

Student Purpose and Pathways

Effective academic advising directs students to explore and define their own purpose, goals, and curricular pathways to achieve learning and developmental outcomes. Curricular plans must be coherent, enrich students’ programs of study, and support their educational goals, career and life aspirations. Partners and key stakeholders collaboratively and closely examine all student transitions and develop policies and practices to overcome barriers and optimize learning and success.

Chair: Jason Pennington, Director of Advising, School of Nursing
Co-chair:  Nivedita Mukherji, Associate Dean, School of Business Administration
Sarah Barron, Academic Advisor, School of Business Administration
Terry Dibble, Special Lecturer, Health Sciences
Nancy Gursin, Academic Adviser, College of Arts and Sciences
Jacob Lekki, OU student
Denae May, Academic Adviser, School of Health Sciences
Leah Mikulec, OU student
Jean Ann Miller, Senior Director, Office of Student Involvement
Rob Sidelinger, Associate Professor, Communication
Adrienne Spitzer, Academic Adviser, School of Education and Human Services
Rachel Stagman, Senior Academic Adviser, First Year Advising Center
Wayne Thibodeau, Senior Director, Career Services
Matt Zeig, Transfer Articulation Coordinator, Office of the Registrar

Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

Excellent academic advising demonstrates a commitment to the values and culture of inclusivity and social justice. It encourages individual and institutional conversations that promote understanding, respect, and honor diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities. Academic advising policies and practices reflect a commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Chair: Michelle Southward, Director of Academic Advising and Student Services, School of Health Sciences
Co-chair:  Heidi Lyons, Associate Professor, Sociology
Laura Christensen Saims, Academic Adviser, School of Nursing
Tyler Dixon, OU student
Annie Hegedus, Senior Academic Adviser, College of Arts and Sciences
Jessie Hurse, Associate Dean of Students
Robert Martin, Visiting Assistant Professor, Organizational Leadership
Michele Parkhill Purdie, Director, Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Christina Riley, Assistant Director of Records and Registration, OUWB
Eman Shammo, Academic Adviser, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Caitlin Thayer, Academic Adviser, First Year Advising Center
VaNessa Thompson, CORE Coordinator, Center for Multicultural Initiatives
Grace Wojcik, Coordinator, Gender and Sexuality Center

Technology Enabled Advising

Excellent academic advising incorporates appropriate technology to complement, support, and enhance advising practice. This requires institutions to include academic advisors in the selection, delivery, and assessment of advising technologies. Institutions must provide on-going training in the use and potential applicability of dynamic tools as a means to strengthen advising practice and culture.

Chair: Debbie Lengyel, Director of Advising Services, School of Business Administration
Co-chair:  Bill Johnson, Senior Systems and Data Analyst, First Year Advising Center
Amy Banes-Bercelli, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Jake Buchanan, OU student
Garry Cardillo, Senior Systems and Data Analyst, Office of the Registrar
Patrina Carper, Academic Adviser, School of Nursing
Aaron Grant , Interim Director of Enterprise Systems, University Technology Services
Andrea Jones, Library and Instrument Coordinator, Chemistry
Juan Carlos Mendez, System Administrator, School of Business Administration
Clarisse Mikami, Assistant Director, The Tutoring Center
Derek Moreno, Academic Adviser, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Richard Olawoyin, Associate Professor, Industrial Systems Engineering
Jason Taylor, Assistant Director of Advising Services, College of Arts and Sciences
Shelnesha Taylor, OU student
EAA Campus Retreat

The EAA Campus Retreat will provide an opportunity for those directly involved in the EAA process to engage in a cross-condition review and reflection on the evidence gathered throughout the self-study process.  This review will set the stage for further refinement of Conditions Committee findings and serve as the foundation upon which an action plan will be developed.

Due to the current limitations on in-person gatherings, the EAA Campus Retreat will occur virtually over four days.  We are developing a comprehensive program that includes ample opportunities for discussion, reflection and feedback.  Please review the sections below for information about each day’s agenda.

Please review in advance of the retreat:

  • View the Pre-Retreat Video
  • Ensure you have an updated version of Zoom downloaded to your desktop client or mobile app (version 5.3.0 or higher).  The Zoom application on your computer will not update automatically. To check for updates, open the Zoom app, and click on your initials/picture in the upper right corner, and select Check for Updates from the dropdown menu.
Monday, May 3, 2021

Session Time: 10 -11 a.m.
Zoom link:  Available on Google calendar invitation

Topics:

  • Opening comments
    • Britt Rios-Ellis, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
    • Glenn McIntosh, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer
  • Introduction of EAA Fellow, Campus Liaisons and Steering Committee
  • Review of EAA process
  • Overview of Campus Retreat schedule and intended goals
  • Highlights of significant trends and important findings from EAA evidence collection

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Session Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Zoom link:  Available on Google calendar invitation

Topics:


Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Session Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Zoom link:  Available on Google calendar invitation

Topics:

  • Conditions Committee meetings (breakout sessions)  (2:00-2:35 pm)
    • Breakout sessions - join room based on Conditions Committee
  • Conditions Committee sharing of top recommendations (2:40-3:30 pm) 
    • Commitment
    • Learning
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Organization
    • Adviser Selection and Development
    • Improvement of the Scholarship of Advising
    • Collaboration and Communication
    • Student Purpose and Pathways
    • Technology Enabled Advising
  • Prioritization of recommendations (3:30-4:00 pm)
    • Documents will be shared during the session

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Session Time: 3 - 4 p.m.
Zoom link:  Available on Google calendar invitation

Topics:

  • Review of prioritization of recommendations
  • Next steps in EAA process
  • Review of retreat with EAA Fellow (steering committee only)
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