First Radford Advising Conference a success

Radford University students frequently cite positive interactions with faculty and staff as a key to their successes. That’s an excellent start, but can those interactions be improved?

The inaugural Radford Advising Conference, held April 26, helped faculty and staff answer that question.

The conference offered professional development opportunities for members of the campus community who find themselves in advising roles. With development workshops, technology seminars and insightful looks at Radford’s own advising climate, the conference prepared all attendees to further support student success.

Charlie L. Nutt, executive director of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), offered keynote remarks at the event, stressing that advisors must use their passions to connect with students.

“I think about what we’re doing today to make the undergraduate experience so exciting and engaging and I wish I had taken advantage of more opportunities when I was an undergraduate,” Nutt said.

He praised Radford University for being proactive in bettering the campus advising climate and noted that many state conferences on the issue don’t have as many attendees as Radford’s event did.

“This type of professional development is what I call a luxury,” Nutt said. “A lot of campuses don’t have this opportunity. Make it become an expectation.”

Joseph Scartelli, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, was another one of the many speakers and presenters at the conference, reminding attendees of the real rewards of good advice.

“Today is about keeping as many of our students on track as possible,” Scartelli said. “This [conference] was created for all of you who have worked so hard, day in and day out, to make sure students do succeed.”

More than 120 members of the Radford faculty and staff signed up for sessions at the conference, a number which exceeded organizers expectations for the inaugural event.

Representatives from nearly all divisions and programs on campus were on hand to learn from one another.

“We are very excited about the turnout,” said event organizer Rachel Hall, assistant academic advising coordinator.  “I think it speaks volumes to how much our faculty, staff and administration care about student success at Radford University.”

The 2016 Radford Advising Conference was sponsored by the Office of the Provost and hosted by Undergraduate Academic Advising.

 

Apr 28, 2016
Dan Waidelich
540-831-7749