New Academic Advising Plan Returns to Residential Model

New system should ease access of students to advisors and information

Student Affairs academic advisors chat during the Academic Advisor’s Center’s Advisor Assembly held at Penn Pavilion last month.
Student Affairs academic advisors chat during the Academic Advisor’s Center’s Advisor Assembly held at Penn Pavilion last month.

A new partnership between the Academic Advising Center and QuadEx will enhance the academic and social experience for both students and academic advisors. This summer’s shift to residence-based advising cohorts – where advisors are paired with students in specific residence halls -- marks another step forward in fostering closer connections between advisors and students.

“For advisors, this transition is more than just a return to tradition; it’s a reunion with the smaller, tight-knit communities that many have missed since the days of ‘residential advising communities,’” says Mathavi Strasburger, director of the Academic Advising Center (AAC). “By rebuilding these communities through Quad cohorts, advisors will have the opportunity to reconnect with one another and build a stronger network of support.”

Ben Adams, senior associate dean of students for QuadEx added, “This partnership between QuadEx and the Academic Advising Center represents a meaningful step toward strengthening the bonds within our Duke community. By aligning advisors with residential Quads, we’re creating a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.

“The increased access to a network of advisors will open doors for students to discover their passions and make the most of their Duke experience.”

The new model is expected to improve advisor’s ease of access to informationabout what is happening in the residential lives of advisees. Quad-specific communication channels have been established, allowing advisors to stay in close contact with other advisor colleagues within their Quad, share resources, and seek guidance.

Advisors will also receive monthly Quad-based newsletters, keeping them informed about events and happenings within their students’ residential communities. Additionally, advisors will be invited to attend Quad-specific events, further deepening their engagement with students and creating a more robust sense of community.

“As a first-time advisor who has been with Duke for less than a year, I am greatly encouraged by this partnership,” says Saskia Gale, advisor and Program Coordinator for the Office of Undergraduate Education Division of Experiential Education. “I am lucky enough to have a community of advisors in my division who are an invaluable source of knowledge and support, so I’m already excited to see what I will learn from being in a community with advisors across divisions.

“The opportunities this partnership brings to connect with students and learn more about their lives at Duke is an unexpected bonus for me. It affirms that this new journey as an advisor will be highly collaborative and driven by student engagement.” Students, too, stand to benefit from this partnership. With the establishment of Quad-based advising cohorts, students will gain greater access to a diverse network of advisors across the university. This network will encourage students to explore and pursue their academic and extracurricular interests, both in and beyond the classroom. Knowing the advisors within their Quad will empower students to seek guidance and support more easily, creating a more personalized and enriching academic experience.