Academic Advising in Higher Education: A Place at the Core

American higher education is facing several significant challenges: rapidly rising tuitions, a lack of support from politicians and the public in general, a demand for higher graduation rates, and the lack of a clear articulation of mission. Coping with these issues and many others is a formidable task. No matter what possible solutions and alternative approaches are on the horizon, a new social contract with students needs to be enacted so that students can fully experience and appreciate the path in higher education that they have chosen. Academic advising is at the core of implementing this new contract and is prepared to immediately respond with programs and student/adviser interactions. The purposes of academic advising accommodate all students so that they can make reasoned decisions as they set and enact the goals of their lives.