Insider Information: Advisors' Perspectives on the Effectiveness of Enhanced Advising Programs for Community College Students

Abstract

This study examines the structure of an enhanced advising program (EAP) through the perspectives of academic advisors. Utilizing a qualitative research design, interviews were conducted with 12 primary-role academic advisors employed within an EAP at a large, urban community college in Texas. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified the following distinguishing characteristics of EAPs: (1) improved student participation in academic advising; (2) stronger student engagement with advising; and (3) proactive construction of an educational plan. This study expands the literature on EAPs by providing additional context and description from the practitioner perspective and by delineating the EAP's strategy to strengthen advising programming at the community college level.