Report highlights diverse approaches to advising HSIs

Gabriel O. BermeaHispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) can serve as models for how institutions can organize themselves to effectively serve and advise students, according to a new report from the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions.

The Center's visiting scholar, Dr. Gabriel O. Bermea, is the author of the report “Construir el Camino: How Hispanic Institutions Design and Deliver Academic Advising,” which examines various models and approaches to advising at HSIs.

“The findings of this report underscore the central role HSIs play in promoting student success through targeted and culturally relevant advising,” said Bermea. “By strategically using advising as a key strategy and practice, HSIs can create a strong sense of belonging and family and tailor their advising strategies and approaches to the individual needs of their diverse student populations.”

Dr Marybeth GasmanBased on qualitative data from 23 leading academic advising offices at HSIs, the report evaluates the structures, approaches, audiences, and social media activities of academic advising at HSIs. It offers tips for effective advising and includes strategies to help ensure students receive the support they need.

For example, HSIs identify multiple purposes for academic advising, such as course enrollment, retention, sense of belonging, learning, family learning environments, and contemporary communication trends (using popular social media apps). Many also adopt distinct, collaborative advising models involving faculty members and professional academic advisors.

“This report is important for highlighting diverse advising approaches,” said Dr. Marybeth Gasman, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Professor and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. “The diverse needs of students at HSIs can be met through the strategies outlined in the report, and anyone providing academic advising at any institution can benefit from reading this report.”