Lessons Learned from Higher Ed Professionals: Innovative Approaches to Managing Change To Support Student Success

Melinda Anderson (Achieving the Dream)
Matthew Markin (California State University, San Bernardino)
Declan McLaughlin (QUB)
Iris Burks (Maastricht University)
Ann Bingham (University of Southampton)
Ryan Scheckel (Texas Tech University)

Monday, April 7, 2025 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

SUCCESS AND OUTCOMES

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Session Outline

What lessons have higher education professionals from around the globe learned about themselves and their students? What innovative practices have they implemented to help ensure not only student success, but the well-being and retention of academic advisors/personal tutors? What challenges do they still face? How does AI impact the advising profession? Join us as a panel of higher education administrators get the unsaid said on strategies we should be implementing to help students and you, the higher education professional.

From the pandemic and the “Great Resignation” to what is being deemed the “Great Stay,” higher education continues to deal with various changes in employment, budget cuts, and technological advancements. Jessica Pfeiffer (2021) wrote, “Despite any challenges, the pandemic has bulldozed a path of innovative practices that has shaped the future of advising and has changed the way we work for the foreseeable future.” Now in 2024, the “Great Stay” is a trend of employees not leaving their jobs because of uncertainty, but 65% of workers reportedly feeling stagnant in their current roles, leading to resentment and disengagement (Morse, 2024).

But even with innovative practices that emerged over the last four years, many higher education professionals are finding additional challenges in a semi-post pandemic life, especially with growing concerns that higher education is unprepared with the rise of artificial intelligence (Palmer, 2024). In a time of burnout, lack of flexibility in remote or hybrid work schedules, increased caseloads, emerging technology such as AI, how does the individual, as well as a global academic advising profession, continue to be innovative and move forward?

What stories and other narratives can higher education professionals share for others to gain understanding of the challenges, but also envision a positive future that will continue to support student success efforts? What strategies can be taught to encourage positive change at other institutions? What tips can be provided regarding continued professional development while also supporting well-being and self-care?

In this session, panelists discuss pushing forward in an ever changing higher education system and what that means for students and advising professionals. Administrators, faculty, and academic advisors/personal tutors from a variety of higher education institutions globally will share their experience and expertise in the ever changing higher education system.

Outline of the panel session:

I. Introductions of moderators

II. Introductions of panelists

III. Panelist topics

A. Institutional changes that have impacted advising professionals and students

B. Advisor well-being and retention

C. Emerging AI and other technologies

D. Innovative practices that can shape the future of advising

V. Audience questions

Learning Outcomes

Participants will learn problem solving techniques about unique challenges from the experiences shared by panelists.

Participants will learn how to cope with change and tips on remaining fulfilled in their profession.

Participants will understand how change management can lead to innovative practices to support their student success efforts.

Participants will engage the audience to understand their experiences in how they have managed change at their respective institutions.

Bibliography

Morse, B. (2024). The ‘Great Stay’ is leaving employees feeling stuck as ‘pent-up resentment boils under the surface’. Forbes. Retrieved by https://fortune.com/2024/12/09/employees-resentful-stuck-jobs-hiring-market-slowdown/

Palmer, K. (2024). How Will AI Influence Higher Ed in 2025? Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2024/12/19/how-will-ai-influence-higher-ed-2025

Palmer, K. (2024). Most Campus Tech Leaders Say Higher Ed Is Unprepared for AI’s Rise. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2024/10/16/campus-tech-leaders-say-higher-ed

Pfeiffer, J. (2021, June). Advising in the new world: The importance of work-life balance in a changing educational climate. Academic Advising Today, 44(2). Retrieved from https://nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Advising-in-the-New-World-The-Importance-of-Work-Life-Balance-in-a-Changing-Educational-Climate.aspx

Schroeder, R. (2022, January). Leadership in the Time of the Great Resignation. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from
https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/online-trending-now/leadership-time-great-resignation

Stebleton, M. & Buford, M. (2021, November). Are We Still Doing It for the “Work?” Student Affairs Educators and the Great Resignation. NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.naspa.org/blog/are-we-still-doing-it-for-the-work-student-affairs-educators-and-the-great-resignation


Competencies
This session addresses the following competencies of the UKAT Professional Framework for Advising and Tutoring