3. Who’s here today?
◦ACA Officers (past & present)
◦Advisory Council
◦R.O.A.D. Committee Members
◦New Members
Introductions
4. The Academic Counselors Association (ACA)
was established in 1983 to provide a forum for
the exchange of information, ideas, and
resources among professional staff members of
the academic counseling community at The
University of Texas at Austin.
Twenty founding members formed the initial
organization (called the Counselors and Advisors Association)
that has grown to include over two hundred
professional members.
Our History
7. Advisory Council
Nominations
Professional Development Day
Holiday Party
Advising Event/EXPO
Awards and Recognition
FUNdraising
ROAD
Mentor Program
*committee descriptions are located in the
bylaws
Standing Committees
8. representing every undergraduate college
and school
membership reaches across all areas of
campus
professionals from a variety of student affairs
areas actively participate in ACA
advisors, counselors and other professional
staff who work with students provide a
variety of vital services
serve as individualized, personal links
between students, faculty and administrators
The Advising Community
9. Advisors assist students with:
◦ Registration
◦ Major & minor exploration
◦ Degree requirements
◦ Special academic programs
◦ Major change processes
◦ Academic difficulty
◦ Time management
◦ Study skills
◦ Career exploration & planning
◦ Policy interpretation
◦ Referral to campus resources
Student Issues
10. monthly meetings to inform members
about the wide variety of campus
resources available
meeting time is devoted to ACA business
but the primary focus of each meeting
typically includes a specific
program, presentation or discussion that
addresses issues vital to our community
ACA Monthly Meetings
11. past programs have included discussions
with top campus administrators, new
programs or initiatives on campus and
changes to existing programs and
services
meetings generally occur on Wednesday
mornings and include a light breakfast
maximize the valuable networking time
and arrive early
ACA Monthly Meetings
12. The NATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISING
ASSOCIATION (NACADA), promotes and
supports quality academic advising in
institutions of higher education to
enhance the educational development of
students.
13. evolved from the first National Conference on
Academic Advising in 1977
has nearly 10,000 members representing all
50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and several
other international countries
members represent higher education
institutions across the spectrum of Carnegie
classifications
include professional
advisors/counselors, faculty, administrators
and students
14. provides a forum for
discussion, debate, and the exchange of
ideas pertaining to academic advising
numerous activities and publications
webinars (more about this later!)
serves as an advocate for effective
academic advising by providing a
Consultants Bureau, an Awards
Program, and funding for Research related
to academic advising
15. ACA is an allied member of NACADA
membership information as well as many
valuable resources may be found at their
website: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/
the Clearinghouse link provides a wealth
of information on critical advising issues
can be found through the Resources tab
on the NACADA homepage
16. hosts national & regional conferences
many UT advisors attend each year,
funded by the university
considered professional development
UT considered a leader in advising
nationally
ACA leaders involved on a national level
with NACADA as officers, board members
and chairing committees
17. encourage you to visit with your
supervisor regarding your professional
development plans now
consider attending NACADA
NACADA National held in the fall semester
many ACA members coordinate sharing
rooms, transportation, etc.
18. ACA pays for NACADA webinars
3-5 each year
ACA membership votes on topics to select
from webinar series
Advisor Training & Development
19. networking opportunities to connect with
colleagues and campus leaders in advising
membership meetings to share relevant
advising information & presentations
R.O.A.D. – Resources for Ongoing Advisor
Development
ACA sponsored NACADA Webinars
leadership opportunities through committee
involvement & ACA administration
member list serve to facilitate
communication
ACA Benefits
20. cross-section of the ACA general membership
members generally serve a 2-year term
charge is to provide advice and feedback to
the ACA Executive Committee and the ACA
general membership
reviews trends in the academic advising
profession and their impact on the UT
advising
recommends official nominees for the
NACADA Advising Awards based on
nominations from the general ACA
membership
Advisory Council
21. one-day, on-campus
conference
typically held in the fall
semester
choose from among 16
presentations on a
variety of topics
interact with UT
colleagues as well as
other advising
professionals from
neighboring colleges &
universities
conference registration
fee to cover expenses
Professional Development Day
22. one-day, outdoor
advising information
fair
coming soon this fall
semester
opportunity to
promote
programs, services
& other academic
opportunities
great way to meet
other advisors & to
learn about other
programs/services
Advising EXPO
23. A wide selection of brown bag
workshops, covering a variety of areas
pertinent to all levels of advising experience.
Advisor Training & Development
24. quick, easy way to communicate
with each other across campus
promote
programs, services, deadlines, o
pen classes, information
sessions, etc.
ask questions, have discussions
with colleagues
utaca@utlists.utexas.edu
ACA List Serve
25. UT administration supports ACA
both financially & philosophically
membership & participation is
key to success as an advising
professional
meetings & involvement should
be considered part of advising
job functions
ACA is Professional Development
26. joinACA
attend monthly meetings &
network with colleagues
volunteer to work on a
committee
attend ROAD & NACADA
webinars
How can you get involved?
27. individuals may join at any time
during the year
dues are minimal (currently $15)
and may be paid to the Treasurer by
personal check
an invoice may be sent to the
department if dues are to be paid
with institutional funds; check with
your supervisor
Membership to ACA
28. Associationof Professionals in
Student Affairs (APSA)
Graduate Coordinator Network
(GCN)
Higher Education Administration
Student Professional Association
(HEASPA)
Related Organizations
