CLAS Academic Advising Mission

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Undergraduate Advising creates and sustains an inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environment where students are empowered to build meaningful relationships and skills that foster lifelong learning and success. 

CLAS Academic Advising Vision

To foster an environment that empowers students to recognize their full potential and embrace their academic journey. 

CLAS Academic Advising Values

CLAS Advising aligns itself with the core values set forth by the global advising organization, National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). 

“NACADA Core Values: 

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.” 

Citation:  
NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. (2017). NACADA core values of academic advising. Retrieved from https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Pillars/CoreValues.aspx  

CLAS Academic Advising Fundamental Goals

Relational:  

  • To facilitate intentional interactions based on informed decisions  

  • To help students contextualize their learning as it applies to their overall life goals  

  • To promote relationship building with faculty, staff, students and community partners to increase their network of support  

  • To foster an inclusive learning environment that supports students and the achievement of their academic and career goals 

Informational:  

  • To deliver accurate information about degree requirements including CU Denver Core Curriculum and graduation requirements, CLAS graduation requirements, major, minor, and certificate curriculum requirements 

  • To equip students with the knowledge they need to navigate CU Denver and CLAS policies, procedures, and deadlines  

  • To provide information about available campus and community resources 

  • To use available advising and planning tools, including the degree audit, to assist students with creating academic plans and tracking degree progress  

  • To help students understand the connection between their personal, academic, and professional goals  

  • To ensure CLAS Advising staff are trained on relevant technology tools; federal, state, accreditation and institutional policies; and current advising practices and strategies  

Conceptual:  

  • To use theory informed practices and adjust to the needs of an ever-changing and diverse student population and campus community  

  • To provide equitable access to advising grounded in an understanding of the diverse needs of students.  

  • To utilize innovative approaches to connect and engage with students throughout their academic journey 

  • To incorporate students’ individual experiences in the advising process and challenge them to reach their full potential  

  • To contribute to the growth and development of the advising profession and the broader higher education community 

CLAS Academic Advising Student Learning Outcomes

What information do we want students to learn as a result of academic advising? Students will be able to:  

  • Identify and understand CU Denver and CLAS academic policies, processes, and deadlines  

  • Describe and distinguish CU Denver Core, CLAS, major, and general graduation requirements  

  • Explain and engage with advising resources in CLAS and CU Denver  

What skills do we want students to develop as a result of academic advising? Students will be able to:  

  • Use advising and academic planning tools, including the Degree Audit Tools, to create academic plans and track degree progress   

  • Design educational plans that are timely and compatible with their personal, academic, and professional goals  

  • Meet semesterly and prepare effectively for appointments with their academic advisors, including CLAS, major, minor, and health professions advisors  

  • Assess their individual needs and utilize appropriate campus and community resources that promote strategies for success  

What behaviors do we want students to exhibit as a result of academic advising? Students will be able to:  

  • Embrace the University’s values grounded in a liberal arts education  

  • Articulate the relationship between their programs of study and their academic and professional goals  

  • Exercise agency in advocating for their individual needs   

  • Practice informed and purposeful decision-making, critical thinking, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills when making choices about their education   

  • Assess the impact of their behaviors on their academic success and progress