Advisors as Interaction Designers
Pamela Shockley-Zalabak, Chancellor, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, gave the following speech at the 2011NACADA Annual Conference October 3, 2011, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. She provides an overview of changes affecting U.S. higher education, commentary on how those changes affect the role of the academic advisor, and the importance of helping students achieve life goals. She encourages academic advisors to embrace a broad definition of the academic advising profession and to lead change and innovation on campus. She relates personal teaching experiences, including her first instructor job at a federal prison, a chance meeting of a young woman who exemplifies today's college student, and the imperative that academic advisors engage in “disruptive innovation and interaction design” to better serve students.
Contributor Notes
Pamela Shockley-Zalabak is Chancellor and professor of Communication at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). The author of 8 books and more than 100 articles and productions, Dr. Shockley-Zalabak shares her research interests on building organizational trust. Her latest book, Building the High Trust Organization was published in 2010. In addition to her chancellor duties, she continues to teach. Previously, Dr. Shockley was Vice Chancellor for Student Success and the founding chair of the UCCS Communication Department. Her honors include the University of Colorado Thomas Jefferson Award, President's Award for Outstanding Service, and the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Faculty. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma State University and a PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in organizational communication.
