Academic Advising Task Force

In moving toward a more cohesive and student-centered advising experience, the need to establish a centralized academic advising structure—one that ensures consistency, promotes collaboration, and strengthens the support provided to all students. This realignment is not a retreat from what has worked—it is a bold step forward, grounded in the recognition that a shared vision, supported by intentional design, is essential to serve students more optimally and effectively across the institution.

This goal recognizes that advising is not only about course selection and graduation requirements. It is also about helping students uncover their values, clarify their goals, and build the confidence to pursue meaningful futures. By adopting this framework, Texas State positions academic advisors as educators, coaches, and connectors—integral to shaping students’ college journeys and their lives beyond.

This goal recognizes AI not as a replacement for the essential human connection in advising, but as a strategic partner that enhances the profession. By automating repetitive and administrative tasks, surfacing timely data insights, and empowering students to access the right information at the right time, these technologies enable advisors to focus on meaningful, holistic engagement with their students.

Goal Four seeks to free advisors to focus on meaningful, student-centered engagement by reducing administrative burdens, optimizing workflows, and realigning responsibilities. In doing so, the university acknowledges that if advising is to be treated as a profession, advisors must be empowered to fully inhabit that role—with clarity, capacity, and institutional support.

Goal Five calls for the formal institutionalization of support systems, career pathways, recognition opportunities, and leadership structures that affirm academic advising as a respected and vital profession. This goal offers a vision for cultivating a sustainable advising community—one where advisors are empowered to grow, lead, and thrive. Advisors are the human connection between institutional resources and student aspirations. Their work is not only logistical—it is deeply relational, intellectual, and impactful.

This transition strengthens academic success by creating a more coordinated advising system that ensures consistency, provides advisors with resources and training, and streamlines processes. 

The long-term vision is to create a robust and holistic academic advising ecosystem that serves as a seamless support structure for every Bobcat—from the moment of acceptance through post-completion success. Advising will no longer be viewed as a single transaction or isolated meeting, but as an ongoing, developmental partnership between students and the university. 

This vision emphasizes that advising at TXST will be: 

• Consistent – Students will experience clear, coordinated, and equitable support across all colleges and advising units, reducing confusion and ensuring accuracy in academic guidance. 
• Student-Centered – Advisors will consider the whole student—their goals, life experiences, strengths, and challenges—creating personalized pathways for success. 
• Comprehensive – Advising will extend beyond course selection to include major validation, progression to completion, timely communications and intervention, and post-completion transitions. 

Ultimately, this advising ecosystem will act as a connective thread in the student experience, guiding Bobcats through each stage of their journey: 

• Acceptance & Transition – Early onboarding, intentional advising, and community-building support. 
• Progression & Exploration – Holistic guidance to help students define academic interests, set career goals, engage in academic life, monitor progress to completion, and connect to campus resources. 
• Completion & Beyond – Intentional planning for graduation, career entry, and lifelong success as TXST alumni. 

By designing an advising model that is holistic, proactive, and future-oriented, TXST is positioning academic advising as a signature strength of the university—a defining feature of what it means to be a Bobcat. 

Colleges remain critical partners. Through MOUs, we will clarify shared expectations, communication, and collaboration to ensure advising reflects both institutional priorities and college-specific needs. 

Yes. Job descriptions for advisors and Directors of Advising will be updated to reflect evolving responsibilities and to recognize the importance of advising in academic success. 

AAT will coordinate training opportunities, beginning with a professional development series in Fall 2025. Training in holistic and proactive advising will begin in Spring 2026. 

We will optimize current tools and explore new platforms, such as Smart Plan and Award, to improve efficiency and enhance the advising experience.