Academic advising is far more than people realize
As seen in the spring 2026 Ivy magazine.
“Advising is more than just class registration. It’s putting together a pathway that helps our students achieve their goals,” said Diann Burright, director of undergraduate student services at the Ivy College of Business.
Burright, who leads a team of 25 people, including 15 academic advisors, emphasized that good academic advising involves:
- Understanding students’ individual aspirations.
- Helping them navigate complex academic decisions.
- Providing holistic support beyond just course selection.
- Connecting students to campus resources.
- Supporting their personal and academic growth.
“What we do as advisors is more than just tell a student which classes to take. That’s telling. That’s not advising,” Burright said. “Advisors have a context for what that conversation is about.”
Her description highlights the depth and importance of academic advising as a mentorship and guidance process, rather than just a mechanical administrative task. Advisors help incoming students, whether from high school or transferring from another college, as they transition to life at Iowa State University.
Students are encouraged to engage with their advisors for comprehensive support and guidance. “The primary role of advisors is to help students plan and navigate their academic pathway based on their major choices. Advisors assist students in understanding their academic goals and choosing the best curriculum to achieve those goals,” Burright said.
Not all students meet with their advisors every semester. Some manage their academic pathways independently with guidance from advisors. Advisors aim to educate students on using tools like Workday to manage their academic requirements.
“We also help students with decisions like adding minors or certificates and provide support for personal challenges that may affect their academic performance,” she said.
Burright emphasized the importance of curiosity, a willingness to be uncomfortable, and the ability to navigate information and resources effectively. “We aim to help students become independent learners who can solve problems and seek out necessary support.”
Graduate program advising efforts
Academic advising for graduate students is also about the relationship with students.
“We get to know who they are, their career goals, interests, and timelines. From there, we work alongside them, connecting them to resources, drafting plans, and helping them reach their goals,” said Sarah Wilson, director of professional master’s student services.
Professional master’s programs, which target working professionals or recent graduates seeking to advance or transition careers, focus on practical application, workplace problem-solving, and career growth.
“For us, graduate advising is not simply a transaction. It’s an ongoing conversation that allows us to better understand and support each student,” Wilson said. “Our advising work is strengthened by close collaboration with our directors of graduate education (DOGEs), who serve as content experts and invaluable partners in supporting our students. While we bring deep knowledge of the curriculum, college and university policies, and how to navigate our systems, the real impact comes from our advisors’ commitment to the individual. Our team cares about the person and is committed to being a steadfast resource throughout a student’s time with Ivy.”
Wilson said her team plays an important role in connecting students to the job market so they are job-ready on day one. Academic advisors work closely with the Graduate Career Services team. “They keep us informed about current trends, which helps us better understand and support our students as they pursue their professional goals.”
Graduate students are generally well prepared for the workforce.
“They tend to be thoughtful about their career goals and intentional about choosing academic credentials that align with those goals,” Wilson said.
“Some of our students are looking to pivot into a new job. Some are retooling. Many are already working professionals looking to advance. Either way, we work to meet the needs of all our students and their many goals. Our programs and resources help prepare students to navigate professional norms, understand organizational culture, and translate academic skills into workplace impact. Our students consistently flourish and become valued contributors in the workplace, and we are proud of their hard work, adaptability, and achievements.”
Career-readiness for graduate students means being prepared to translate academic knowledge and experiences into professional impact. “Graduate students are career-ready when they understand how their education connects to their professional goals, can communicate their strengths effectively, and know how to access resources and support. Our team helps students be career-ready through advising, faculty mentorship, and engagement with career services,” Wilson said.
My Ivy experience
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Connor Dunne- Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois.
- Majors: Healthcare management and management information systems.
- Activities: President, Delta Upsilon; Member, Ivy Student Council.
“As a student, it’s hard to know everything, especially processes within the college. The advisors are great at helping you bridge the gap between things you don’t know to better yourself and prepare you to become job-ready. My advisor is Katie Minnihan. I probably meet with her at least once a semester to go over what classes I should be taking and how I can best set myself up for success in Ivy. She has been a great resource for helping me find more opportunities and information on my interests. The most valuable thing she has helped me with is my four-year plan. I changed majors from engineering. When I did, she sat down and helped me plan what I still needed to do to graduate on time. This was incredibly helpful and eased my nerves during the transition.”
