University Advising
Office of Undergraduate Education
The resources below provide recommended tools, templates, and guidance to help supervisors prepare for a successful search and hiring process. From planning the position and developing the job posting to identifying hiring committee members and understanding key hiring considerations, these resources are designed to support each stage of the search.
Supervisor Training Course
The New Supervisor Foundations course provides an introduction to the core responsibilities of supervising academic advisors at Michigan State University. Through five self-paced modules, you'll explore topics including hiring and onboarding, managing people and operations, coaching and developing employees, and leading high-performing teams. Whether you're new to supervision or looking to refresh your knowledge, this course provides the skills and resources to help you succeed.
Launching Fall 2026!
Onboarding Resources
Effective onboarding extends well beyond a new employee's first day. A successful onboarding experience helps new academic advisors understand their role, gain access to the tools and systems they need, build relationships with colleagues and campus partners, and develop confidence as they transition into their position.
The resources below are designed to help supervisors create a structured, supportive onboarding process that promotes early success, establishes clear expectations, and provides meaningful milestones throughout a new advisor's first months on the job.
Hiring and Onboarding
Explore hiring processes, interview resources, onboarding checklists, sample timelines, and tools that help new advisors successfully transition into their roles and become productive members of your team.
Managing People and Operations
Find guidance on performance management, one-on-one and team meeting facilitation, difficult conversations, conflict resolution, and operational processes that help teams function effectively.
Leadership and Team Development
Discover strategies for supporting employee professional development, project management, employee recognition, using data to support decision making, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
Supervisor Resource Library
The topics above cover the core of the role, but new questions come up constantly, and they don't always fit neatly into one category. This searchable table pulls together resources, tools, and guidance on supervision and leadership. Filter by topic to find what you need, or browse to see what's available. If you have a resource that should be added, let us know.