The Office of Academic & Career Success recognizes that advisors may be supervised by non-advising UW faculty or staff members. The following information will provide descriptions and context for the work that advisors do, especially intended for supervisors of advisors who have not worked as advisors themselves.
Who are advisors?
UW–Madison advisors are professionally prepared staff and faculty who partner with students to develop educational and post college plans.
What do advisors do?
UW–Madison advisors are an essential and valuable part of the UW educational experience. Advisors provide guidance and support as they connect students to helpful information, knowledge, and resources needed to succeed while in college and in life after graduation.
In order to best meet the needs of UW students, it is vital for the advising community to be connected through ongoing professional development and training. These experiences enhance and deepen the advisor’s skills and job satisfaction which, in turn, provide a more satisfying advising experience for students.
How should students utilize advising?
At UW–Madison all undergraduates are assigned to specific advising units and to particular advisors who have the officially delegated responsibility for providing sound, comprehensive academic advising as a component of each student’s education.
Students should also meet and consult with non-assigned advisors – faculty and staff members who work with students in a variety of advising capacities, such as Career Services offices, the McBurney Center, International Academic Programs, the advising units within the Diversion of Diversity Equity and Educational Achievement and more.
To learn more about advising and the work that advisors do to facilitate undergraduate education, please see the Guiding Principles for Academic Advising and Core Competencies for Academic Advisors.
To learn more about training and professional development opportunities for undergraduate advisors, please see the information under our Training section or contact Kala Grove, Assistant Director for Advising Training & Professional Development.