Last Updated on November 22, 2013
At universities and colleges all across the country, a faculty advisor is assigned to students to help them navigate through the course offerings in their chosen academic field. These individuals are supposed to be faculty members who desire to put forth their energy to help these students do well. We do know that at some institutions, particularly HBCUs, that we have problems in this area. Faculty persons who are not available for conference, not in during office hours, and those who have a general disregard for their job seem to have made their way onto the campus of the HBCU.
Illuminate a path for students
Academic advisors are often the only link between a student’s successful matriculation and their failure. This is why institutions of higher learning must employ those persons who want to see the students in their respective departments excel. When there are ill-advised students, then there is a chance a student may not a take a class that is need or they may take a class that they do not even need. This is a waste of time and money for the students. This can lead to students who have shattered dreams and lose faith. This can also lead to students who have a disillusioned view of the HBCU.
Acquire the best available talent
HBCUs need to employ the best faculty members who are there for their students. We need to look at all aspects of a the potential faculty person’s vita to make sure that they not only meet the academic requirements, but to also make sure that they are qualified to advise, lead, and can help retain our students. We need to remove this attitude of cronyism from our institutions. If we provide the new and current members with the proper training on advisement, then we will have students who want to continue to attend our institutions and we can further establish the validity and purpose of the Historically Black College and/or University.
Photo credit: Roosevelt University
Naykishia D. Head is an Instructor of Freshman Composition at Tennessee State University. Her research interests are African American literature, Women’s Literature, and Gender Studies. As an alumna of Jackson State University, she made it her professional goal to teach at an HBCU.
