About Counseling and Testing

Mission

In support of the College’s mission, the mission of the Counseling & Testing department is to support student success by partnering with students as they develop their academic and career goals, assist in developing and implementing an educational plan, and providing referrals to appropriate support services within the school and community, and through administration of testing for recommended placement.

Goals

• Follow a holistic advising model that focus on the “whole” student by assessing their personal and career goals while taking into consideration their academic, social, and professional needs;
• To promote student engagement and success as a joint process between the advisor and the student (examples: workshops that address issues most needed by students and programs that provide detailed recovery outlines for the individual on scholastic probation) and to maximize the use of resources;
• Create a safe and comfortable environment that fosters the advising relationship where students are respected, valued, and heard;
• Assist in educational planning consistent with student goals, interests and strengths that will increase a student’s self-efficacy and facilitate persistence for program completion;
• To enhance employee competencies and offer professional development opportunities by providing access to workshops, conferences, and professional organizations;
• To establish a strong presence on campus through involvement, effective communication and collaboration within the College and
• To endeavor to be accepting, supportive, respectful, affirming, and open-minded with our students, campus community, and ourselves.

Values

We are dedicated to upholding academic advising practices as detailed by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising as well as the advising standards as outlined in the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS). We refer to the following NACADA Core Values as guiding principles to our roles as academic advisors:

• Caring– Academic advisors respond to and are accessible to others in ways that challenge, support, nurture, and teach. Advisors build relationships through empathetic listening and compassion for students, colleagues, and others.
• Commitment– Academic advisors value and are dedicated to excellence in all dimensions of student success. Advisors are committed to students, colleagues, institutions, and the profession through assessment, scholarly inquiry, life-long learning, and professional development.
• Empowerment– Academic advisors motivate, encourage, and support students and the greater educational community to recognize their potential, meet challenges, and respect individuality.
• Inclusivity– Academic advisors respect, engage, and value a supportive culture for diverse populations. Advisors strive to create and support environments that consider the needs and perspectives of students, institutions, and colleagues through openness, acceptance, and equity.
• Integrity– Academic advisors act intentionally in accordance with ethical and professional behavior developed through reflective practice. Advisors value honesty, transparency, and accountability to the student, institution, and the advising profession.
• Professionalism– Academic advisors act in accordance with the values of the profession of advising for the greater good of students, colleagues, institutions, and higher education in general.
• Respect– Academic advisors honor the inherent value of all students. Advisors build positive relationships by understanding and appreciating students’ views and cultures, maintaining a student-centered approach and mindset, and treating students with sensitivity and fairness.

Reference:

NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. (2017). NACADA core values of academic advising. Retrieved from www.nacada.ksu.edu