Improving Student Advising
UW–Madison has allocated $1.5 million through the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates to improve academic and career advising in response to student feedback.
School of Education advisor Christina Nagel (left) works with incoming first-year undergraduate Arial La to computer-register for her classes during a Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) session. Photo: University Communications
Twenty-four new advisors were added across campus. Technology was improved with a new system in which advisors use a software system to coordinate sharing notes for each student with other advisors. And Wren Singer was hired in a new position to lead and coordinate advising throughout the university.
“It was a huge influx of money for advising, and I think it made a big difference in the way advisors see the importance of what they do and the way the campus views advising as part of the educational mission of the institution,” Singer says. “So it’s been fantastic.”
In addition — to go to where the students are, rather than requiring them to come to the advisor’s office — Cross-College Advising Service now has walk-in satellite offices in five residence halls with night hours added at the College Library.