Links to Professional Associations
The advising profession has a range of resources provided by our national organization, the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and other national organizations provide helpful guidance and information.
Highlights of NACADA Professional Development Resources
The NACADA Pillars of Advising resource page provides guidance about the Concept of Advising, Core Competencies and Core Values. NACADA’s Clearinghouse provides a wealth of research, commentary, and information to guide advisors in a significant number of topics relevant to the profession.
National Organizations and Helpful Links
General Academic Advising Associations
- NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising – The primary professional association for academic advisors, offering conferences, publications, and resources.
Higher Education & Student Affairs Associations
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA) – Focuses on student affairs, including advising, leadership, and student development.
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) – Supports student affairs professionals, including academic advisors, with professional development and research.
Specialized Advising & Support Organizations
- Association of Deans & Directors of University Colleges & Undergraduate Studies (AD&D) – A network for those leading undergraduate advising and student success initiatives.
- National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition – Provides research and resources for advisors working with first-year and transfer students.
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) – Supports advisors working with students with disabilities.
- American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) – Covers academic records, advising, and enrollment management.
Regional & Specialized Groups
- National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) – Focuses on transfer student advising and success.
- Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) – Supports TRIO and other programs for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
First-Year & Transfer Student Advising
- National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition – Focuses on research and best practices for first-year and transfer student success.
- National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) – Specializes in transfer student experiences and advising.
- Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) – Supports advising in urban institutions, often serving transfer and non-traditional students.
STEM & Pre-Health Advising
- National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) – Supports advisors working with students pursuing medical, dental, and other health-related careers.
- National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) STEM Advising Community – Focuses on best practices for STEM advising.
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) – Provides resources for pre-med and medical school advising.
- Engineering Education Societies (ASEE, IEEE, etc.) – ASEE supports engineering advisors and educators.
Career & Professional Advising
- National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) – Provides research and professional development on career advising, employer relations, and student career readiness.
- National Career Development Association (NCDA) – Supports career counseling professionals, including academic advisors with career-focused roles.
- Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA) – Focuses on experiential learning, internships, and co-op education.
Advising for Underrepresented & First-Gen Students
- Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) – Advocates for TRIO and similar programs supporting first-generation and low-income students.
- NASPA Center for First-generation Student Success – Provides research, training, and resources for first-generation student support.
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) – Supports advisors working with students with disabilities.
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) – Supports Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and advising for Latinx students.
- National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) – Focuses on advising and supporting students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Graduate & Professional School Advising
- Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) – Offers research and support for advisors working with graduate students.
- Association of Graduate Enrollment Management (NAGAP) – Focuses on recruitment, retention, and advising for graduate students.
- Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) – Supports advisors working with students interested in international affairs graduate programs.
- American Bar Association (ABA) Pre-Law Advising – Offers resources for pre-law advisors.
Advising for International Students
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators – The premier organization for international student advisors and study abroad professionals.
- Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) – Supports professionals leading global education initiatives.
Advising Technology & Data Analytics
- EDUCAUSE – Focuses on technology in higher education, including advising analytics and student success platforms.
- NASPA’s Student Success Analytics – Supports data-informed advising initiatives.
- Achieving the Dream (ATD) – Works with colleges to improve student success through data-driven advising.
Advising in Community Colleges
- American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)– Provides resources and advocacy for community college advising.
- National Council on Student Development (NCSD) – Supports student affairs professionals in community colleges.
- League for Innovation in the Community College – Focuses on innovation and best practices in community college student support