We journal editor types are notorious for coming up with themes that link, sometimes abstrusely, the articles in any given volume. For this volume, however, there is no need to stretch. One word expresses the common element that runs through all four articles: understanding. So simple on the surface, yet so complex when one digs down deep. Indeed, the authors of the four articles within have dug deep to enlighten us about understanding and advising.

In “Focusing on the Future,” Dr. Angela M. Bowlus examines the reinstatement process, a source of anguish for students who have been academically

Abstract

Reinstatement from suspension is a complex process. Students hoping to be reinstated must demonstrate, usually through a written appeal, that previous issues are resolved and that they have a plan for academic success. Writing reinstatement appeals requires students to be vulnerable and share intimate details of their lives with complete strangers to persuade them that they are ready for and capable of returning. That complexity and vulnerability could discourage students from returning to complete their degrees. This study used a narrative theory framework to understand the importance of student narratives and identify whether focus can be placed on the characteristics of success rather than invoking past trauma placing students in a vulnerable position.

Abstract:

This qualitative study explores the perceptions of NACADA leaders regarding institutional and structural sources, obstacles, and opportunities related to learning and professional development (PD) for primary-role academic advisors. Through semi-structured interviews with 17 NACADA leaders, the study identifies three key themes: the critical role of professional associations in supporting learning and growth, substantial financial and structural barriers to PD, and the essential need for institutional recognition and support. The findings highlight the complexities academic advisors face in enhancing their skills and professional standing, emphasizes the importance of professional communities, and identifies the challenges posed by current institutional frameworks. Implications for fostering a supportive environment for advisor learning and PD are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.

Abstract:

This interpretive phenomenological study explores faculty and academic advisors’ experiences in supporting students with mental health challenges. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, which suggests that personal beliefs, prior experiences, and familiarity with symptoms influence behavior, the study examines participant narratives to identify key factors that shape their approaches to supporting students. Findings indicate that personal beliefs about mental health, prior experiences with individuals facing mental health challenges, and campus-based mental health training opportunities all significantly enhance mental health support mechanisms for students outside traditional counseling settings. The ability of faculty and academic advisors to recognize signs of mental health challenges is critical for promoting overall campus well-being.

From the Co-Editors

Focusing on the Future: Making the Reinstatement Process More Effective for Vulnerable Students

Abstract

Sources, Obstacles, and Opportunities for Primary-role Advisor Professional Development: Perspectives from NACADA Leaders

Abstract:

Exploring Faculty and Academic Advisors’ Experiences Supporting College Students with Mental Health Challenges: A Qualitative Study Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract:

The Professionalization of Academic Advising in China: From the Perspective of Culture Diversity

From the Co-Editors

Understanding Athletics Academic Advisors’ Experience with Job Burnout

Rural College Students’ Academic, Financial, and Health-Related Obstacles During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Academic Advisors

Career Advising in a VUCA Environment

From the Co-Editors

A Philosophy of Advising and the Challenges of Implementation

The Context and Potential of Lowenstein's Learning-Centered Theory of Academic Advising

Normative Theory, Scholarship and the Need to Disagree: Conversations with Marc Lowenstein

Advising the Law: Academic Advising in Law-Generating Institutions of Higher Education

The Interpretive Turn: It's Our Turn