Advising Guidance
Academic advising is an educational process that, by intention and design, facilitates students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning (NACADA, 2004). In an effort to continually bring advising to a higher level, advising leaders across the nation continue to study best practices and establish guidance to assist advisors.
CAS STANDARDS
Founded in 1979, the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) is the pre-eminent force for promoting standards in student affairs, student services, and student development programs. CAS creates and delivers dynamic, credible standards, guidelines, and Self-Assessment Guides that are designed to lead to a host of quality programs and services. CAS aims to foster and enhance student learning, development, and achievement. Of significance to the profession of academic advising are the Standards and Guidelines for Academic Advising that have been developed by CAS and endorsed by the National Academic Advising Association. The current Standards and Guidelines were last updated in 2012.
The CAS Standards and Guidelines for Academic Advising (8th Edition) contains the following twelve standards: Mission; Program; Organization and Leadership; Human Resources; Ethics; Law, Policy, and Governance; Diversity, Equity, and Access; Institutional and External Relations; Financial Resources; Technology; Facilities and Equipment; and Assessment and Evaluation. Each standard establishes the criteria that every institution of higher education is expected and able to reach with reasonable effort and diligence.