ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the socialization process of new advisors into the institutional culture through serving on campus committees and participating in professional development opportunities, such as mentoring, scholarly inquiry, and leadership development. It discusses the importance of including academic advisors in the strategic planning cycle as active voices that contribute to the institution’s future by building on the evolution of the academic advising profession. Providing opportunities for professional development are a few avenues that senior administrators can create for academic advisors to learn about various functional areas of the institution and provide outlets for the advisor to contribute their ideas. The associate dean promoted a culture of professional development by encouraging academic advisors to engage in leadership opportunities in the institution. Leadership opportunities were created outside of formal job description to pursue areas of interest outside of the day-to-day responsibilities.
