ABSTRACT
By investing time, energy, and resources in both training and development, institutions of higher education and individual advising units increase the likelihood that the students in their care will find success. The core competencies model consists of three components: conceptual, informational, and relational. This chapter identifies core components of organizational culture and demonstrates how a supportive culture can be identified and cultivated. It focuses on assessment and assumes that a successful advisor training and development program must include a determination of its effectiveness. The chapter focuses on identifying the training needs of different advisor types and identifies both commonalities and distinctions between these types of professionals. It recognizes that two fundamental core concepts must under-gird any successful advisor training and development program: Programs must recognize and celebrate diversity of students and advisors; and programs must be grounded in the relationships between advisors and those they serve. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
