Advising the Advisor: Measuring Advisor Confidence in Working with First Generation College Students and the Role of Professional Development Opportunities

Abstract

With the demographics of the United States changing at a rapid rate, a greater percentage of the population identifies as first-generation college students (National Center for Education Statistics, 2016). Much of the literature available around first generation college students focuses on deficits in this population, noting lower retention and graduate rates compared to their non-first generation peers. The literature notes not having exposure to pre-existing knowledge around the college experience, given they are the first in their families to pursue postsecondary education, is a strong contributor to these poor outcomes (Cataldi et al, 2018; Collier & Morgan, 2008; O’Shea, 2016; Stephens et al, 2012). Next steps, however, require university administrators to view this population from a lens of opportunity and strengths to focus on how institutions can empower this group (Macia, 2013). In spite of the challenges faced, first generation college students have persevered and are seeking additional opportunities for educational advancement, requiring administrators to rewrite the deficit narrative in the literature and focus on how to empower first generation college students to persist and ultimately graduate. With more first generation college students seeking postsecondary education than ever before, universities need to adapt to the changing needs of the students enrolling in their programs and seek ways to build social capital in these students, which has been proven to promote self-efficacy, goal setting, and academic success, and ultimately higher retention rates (Fosnacht et al., 2017; Lotkowski et al., 2004; Tinto, 2007; Vander Schee, 2007; Young-Jones at al., 2013). Given the literature points to a strong connection between students building relationships with academic advisors and higher rates of retention and graduation, universities should focus on the professional development opportunities provided to advisors (Bettinger & Baker, 2014; Fosnacht et al, 2017; Mau & Fosnacht, 2019; Molina & Abelman, 2000; Swecker et al, 2013). This research focuses on a survey of 108 academic advisors across the mid-Atlantic region, including two-year and four-year institutions, both public and private as well those only granting bachelor degrees all the way up to those doctoral granting institutions. The 35 question survey was broken into three parts. Part one focused on utilizing the Mentoring Competency Survey, developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to understand the development of key competencies related to mentorship, including maintain effective communication, aligning expectations, assessing understanding, fostering independence, addressing diversity, and promoting professional development (Fleming et al., 2013; University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018). Part two focused on demographic questions taken from the 2011 NACADA National Survey These questions focused specifically on the advisor’s size of the home institution, understanding the advisor’s role (department-level, school-level or university-level), highest degree attained, and types of professional development available to the advisor (National Academic Advising Association Clearinghouse, 2017). The third section asked for general confidence ratings in working with first generation college students versus non-first generation college students and years of service. The survey results noted a general lack of professional development being provided to this population related to the needs of first-generation college students. Most reported minimal to no professional development opportunities in this area and those that did report noted limitation to the events, such as being one day workshops. Of those that reported more professional development opportunities around first generation college student, significant positive correlations for higher levels of confidence in working with this group were associated with having regularly scheduled meetings and out of office staff retreats that focused on first generation college student issues. Respondents also noted that having a series of workshops about general topics also boosted their confidence in working with first generation college students, which highlights the importance of complementing a professional development portfolio with information based on key content related to specific groups as well as generalized professional development that speaks best practices in the profession. Data from this survey promotes key ideas for future next steps, such as hiring and retention practices for academic advisors, setting professional development standards, utilizing competencies for professional growth and career advancement, and creating buy-in with students. Example and implementation ideas are also included for next-step planning.