Staff Excellence: Academic Advising

Walk across Purdue’s campus and you’ll pass by the thousands of undergraduate students who have somewhere to be. Many are hustling to classes, some are heading to student organization meetings or internships, and others are on their way to meet with one of the more than 240 academic advisors housed in 12 of the university’s schools and colleges.

Dedicated to helping students engage in meaningful avenues for active learning, personal growth and achievement of their goals, these talented Purdue professional staff help students create a plan for their time at the university and direct them toward experiences that match their ambitions and interests. Without their extraordinary efforts, some of the hundreds of courses, programs and activities offered to undergraduate students could be reduced to missed opportunities.  

“Advisors are the navigators,” says Jeff Elliott, executive director of University Undergraduate Academic Advising. “They’re the people who help students understand the very complex degree pathways at Purdue. We have students who have very well-developed future goals for themselves, and our advisors help students figure out how to take all those pieces and put them together to make sense out of the college experience.”

Elena Fine and Katy Panozzo, first-year engineering advisors in the School of Engineering Education, hand out candy to students around campus during a pop-up advising event. (Photo provided) Download image

Made up of a team of five, University Undergraduate Academic Advising supports advising staff across campus by developing universitywide advising policies and practices, negotiating changes and improvements to advisors’ responsibilities, providing ample opportunities for professional development, and supporting the university’s steady pursuit of excellence at scale by ensuring its commitment to a 225:1 student-to-advisor ratio — one of the best in the country.

University Undergraduate Academic Advising staff — many former advisors themselves — help roll out new initiatives and effect changes that positively impact both students and advisors. In 2021, the office began collaborating with three other units to introduce campus to the Inclusive Advising Initiative, an educational framework for advisors including 12 pillars that aim to improve the inclusive experience of all Purdue students, with an initial focus on Black Boilermakers. And in fall 2023, they were instrumental in extending the deadline to drop a course — an action that gives students more time to talk through the decision with their advisor.

With the support of University Undergraduate Academic Advising, Purdue advisors are always growing, evolving and discovering new ways to best serve their students. Whether they’re attending national and international conferences, taking part in the university’s monthly advising assemblies or exchanging ideas and information during Purdue Academic Advising Association meetings, they’re committed to raising the bar to offer the exceptional guidance that’s critical to student success. 

“Advising is not just something that anyone can do well without training,” Elliott says. “When you’re at an institution that operates at this level of academic excellence with the kinds of scholars we bring in to serve as faculty, it’s very important that advisors understand their role is critical to the success of their students and the university itself.”

Last year, advisors across campus saw more than 100,000 total appointments, averaging out to three meetings per student. Advisors take this time to expertly craft meaningful relationships that grow over the course of each meeting, effectively allowing them to help students develop their plans of study and identify other opportunities they want to take part in. These connections lay the foundation for the growth and retainment of each student.

“Students need to have someone they want to return to when they leave for summer break,” Elliott says. “It’s critical that advisors help build that anchor for students to come back. When they’re able to develop those relationships, advisors can be the difference in a student’s decision to stay or leave.”

For many advisors, those rewarding relationships are also the key drivers of their efforts. 

“Being able to see a student transition from a first-year student to a senior who’s graduating and has a job offer is a cool and powerful experience,” says Jess Ramsey, director of advising for the John Martinson Honors College. “I think we’re really lucky, and one of the best parts of the job is getting to be with the student and work alongside them as they grow.”

Purdue’s commitment to excellence in advising is a testament to its hardworking, compassionate staff. As advisors across campus deliver unmatched, personalized guidance to each of their students, Elliott and his team continue to find new ways to support their efforts while climbing toward the pinnacle of success in the advising community.

“We have a very large and very accomplished staff,” Elliott says. “We have a lot of advisors who genuinely care about students. Even though we do many things very well, we’re still always looking for ways we can improve and to truly be one of the best advising communities in the country.”