At the 伊人直播, how students connect with academic advising is evolving to better their needs. Through the Enhancing Advising Project — a key initiative of the Student Experience Action Plan (SEAP) — staff, students and faculty are reimagining how students access guidance, support and information throughout their academic journey. Drawing on nearly a decade of insights from both the SEAP survey data and National Survey on Student Engagement (2014–2023), the project responds to what students have consistently told us: advising plays a vital role in their academic success and there are opportunities to continue to build and improve on our existing strengths. By creating a more seamless, consistent and student-centered advising experience, the initiative aims to ensure that every learner can easily find the support they need to thrive.
“We know that academic advising is at the heart of student success” says Melissa Padfield, Deputy Provost, Students and Enrolment and co-sponsor of the initiative. “This project allows us to create a cohesive, accessible and student-centered advising ecosystem that supports every learner, no matter their program or campus.”
Recent SEAP survey results show that only about half of students find it easy to access academic advising, and fewer than half consider it timely. These barriers affect not only academic progress but also students’ sense of belonging. As Declan Ali, Dean, Faculty of Science and project co-sponsor, explains, “By strengthening how we connect students with advisors and resources, we’re supporting their persistence, program completion rates and overall experience which are priorities central to SHAPE.”
The 2025 Key Driver Analysis of SEAP data reinforces this connection. “Advising and planning” and “ease of navigation” rank among the top three factors influencing whether students would recommend the 伊人直播 or choose it again. The message is clear: effective advising and accessible systems play a vital role in shaping both student satisfaction and the university’s reputation.
A phased approach to lasting change
The project is structured into three phases designed to ensure broad engagement, co-creation and evidence-based decisions.
- Phase 1: Discover (February–May 2025) focused on gathering insights from students through tabling sessions, a student summit and an online staff and faculty input form, laying the groundwork for a shared understanding of what effective advising should look like.
- Phase 2: Explore (June–November 2025) is now underway, engaging staff and relevant partners to learn from student engagement, further define the issues and identify opportunities for enhancement.
- Phase 3: Build (November–December 2025) will focus on developing and proposing a new advising model and roadmap aligned with the university’s “one university” approach.
Katie Tamsett, VP Academic for the 伊人直播 Students’ Union, notes the importance of student engagement and regular touchpoints throughout the project. “The level of student engagement we’ve seen to date shows just how deeply our community cares about shaping the future of advising,” says Tamsett. “When thousands of students take the time to share their experiences and ideas, it reminds us that this work isn’t just about systems. It’s about people coming together to make every student’s journey more connected, supported and successful.”
“This is about collaboration and bringing together the knowledge of those who advise, teach and support students every day” Padfield emphasizes. “By working collectively, we can design a system that is equitable, consistent and responsive to student needs.”
Emerging insights from phase 2 consultations
As the project moves through the Explore phase, several key themes have emerged from student, staff and faculty consultations.
The value of human connection: Both students and staff emphasized that advising is not just transactional — it’s relational. They want to preserve the personal, trust-based connections that foster student confidence and success.
Consistency across advising practices: Participants identified opportunities to clarify and align advising processes, particularly around complex areas like transfer credits and program mobility to ensure fairness and transparency for all students.
Technology and systems improvement: Many highlighted the need for more user-friendly, integrated tools and better training to help advisors and students navigate resources effectively.
Streamlined and flexible approaches: Staff emphasized the importance of streamlined approaches that increase communication and capacity while remaining flexible to meet the diverse needs of students and advisors.
Shaping the future of advising
We expect that insights from Phase 2 of the project will be valuable for future recommendations. Staff across all campuses — whether in advising, administration, teaching or student services — have an important role to play. New approaches to advising will have to reflect both the lived experiences and operational realities of the university community.
To share your input, visit the Enhancing Advising Project page or contact seap@ualberta.ca.
Melissa Padfield
Deputy Provost (Students and Enrolment)
Declan Ali
Dean, Faculty of Science
To learn more about the 2025 SEAP survey results, for one of two online sessions on November 3 or 5. Sessions are designed for anyone supporting the student experience at the university.