About

University Advising >

About

University Advising is home to any student who begins at MSU interested in exploring majors (exploratory preference) as well as a resource for all students who seek additional academic exploration opportunities that reside within one of our 14 undergraduate colleges, with a strategic focus on first- and second-year explorers.

Our Mission

Academic advisors will collaborate with the MSU community and stakeholders to proactively assist, support, and develop students to:

  • Reduce time to degree
  • Increase graduation rates
  • Close opportunity gaps
  • Create an inclusive community
  • Become globally engaged citizens

In support of student success at Michigan State University, we are participating in the following activities to move toward a Proactive Advising approach in serving our students through:

  • Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
  • Ongoing development of tools and collaborative activities that support student success
  • Ongoing assessment of academic advising from the students’ perspective that informs change throughout the campus

An annual awards event celebrating exceptional academic advisors at MSU who 

  • are committed to students, colleagues, institutions, and the profession.
  • motivate, encourage, and support students to recognize their potential, meet challenges, and both respect and express individuality.
  • respond to others in ways that nurture and teach, that build relationships through empathetic listening and compassion.

Learn more about the Advisor Awards!

  • NACADA The Global Community for Academic Advising
  • ACPA College Student Educators International
  • NASPA Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education
  • CAS Standards for Academic Advising by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education

Meet our Team

We are dedicated to supporting students along the path to their academic goals.

Learn More

Advising Resources

Supporting advisors in their work.

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Core Expectations

  • Commit to supporting MSU’s vision that all undergraduate students can graduate
  • Demonstrate to students that MSU is committed to their success
  • Be responsive - listen to the individual experiences of students at MSU and begin necessary conversations to proactively engage with students
  • Engage with MSU academic advisors, the MSU community, and community partners to stay connected across campus and beyond
  • Maintain awareness related to majors in other colleges to accurately refer students to the appropriate contacts
  • Collaborate with peers to share the responsibility of helping students find their best-fit major
  • Understand the curriculum development process and participate as deemed appropriate by unit
  • Create spaces where students feel valued
  • Challenge and support students in their personal, educational, and professional growth
  • Educate students to prepare them for experiences at MSU and beyond
  • Manage work reasonably against caseload provided (caseloads to be defined based on advising role, college, etc.)
  • Learn about and use case management tools
  • Leverage evidence-based decision-making to identify students for targeted outreach and proactive support
  • Use the most effective and appropriate MSU communication method to reach students in a timely manner
  • Support students with finding the appropriate resources across MSU to achieve their goals
  • Participate in ongoing professional development as provided by MSU, regional, and national associations
  • Engage in ongoing performance management activities, with the goal of improving advising competencies
  • Participate in continuous self-care activities to maintain personal wellness
  • Maintain accurate knowledge base of MSU policies and procedures
  • Maintain an awareness of bias when engaging with students
  • Develop cultural competency to support an inclusive community and globally engaged students
  • Engage with MSU academic advisors, the MSU community, and community partners to develop a professional network
  • Participate in a university-wide assessment of advising core expectations
  • Identify why academic advising core expectations are important to student success