Appreciative advising

Appreciative Advising is a student-centered framework for academic advising that is rooted in David Cooperrider's organizational development theory of Appreciative Inquiry, positive psychology, and social constructivism. The Appreciative Advising framework focuses on identifying and leveraging students' strengths to help them achieve their academic and personal goals. This approach emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships between advisors and students and encourages students to reflect on their aspirations, abilities, and the resources they can draw upon to succeed.

History

Appreciative Advising emerged from the broader field of Appreciative Inquiry, a strengths-based approach to organizational development, which was developed by David Cooperrider and his colleagues in the 1980s. In 2002, Dr. Jenny Bloom co-authored with Nancy Archer Martin “Incorporating Appreciative Inquiry into Academic Advising,” the seminal article that launched the Appreciative Education Movement. In 2008, Dr. Jenny Bloom, Dr. Bryant Hutson, and Dr. Ye He published The Appreciative Advising Revolution book that outlined the principles and tenets of the Appreciative Advising theory-to-practice framework and is a hallmark of this movement. In the 2008 book, the authors expanded Dr. David Cooperrider’s four phases of Appreciative Inquiry to the six phases of Appreciative Advising.

Phases of Appreciative Advising

The Six Phases of Appreciative Advising

1. Disarm

The Disarm phase is the initial step in Appreciative Advising, where the advisor creates a welcoming and safe environment. The goal is to reduce anxiety and establish trust, allowing the student to feel comfortable sharing their experiences and aspirations. Advisors may use friendly body language, a warm tone, and personalized greetings to help students feel at ease.

2. Discover

In the Discover phase, the advisor engages in active listening to learn about the student's strengths, interests, and achievements. This phase is crucial for understanding the student’s background, motivations, and unique qualities. Advisors ask open-ended questions to encourage students to reflect on their past successes and identify what they do best.

3. Dream

The Dream phase involves helping the student envision their future and set long-term goals. Advisors guide students to articulate their dreams, both academic and personal, and encourage them to think about the possibilities for their future. This phase emphasizes creativity and optimism, allowing students to dream big and imagine their ideal outcomes.

4. Design

In the Design phase, the advisor collaborates with the student to create a concrete plan to achieve their dreams. This includes setting realistic short-term goals, identifying resources, and outlining specific steps that the student will take. The advisor helps the student design a roadmap that aligns with their strengths and aspirations, ensuring that the plan is both motivating and attainable.

5. Deliver

The Deliver phase is where the student takes action on the plan they have designed. The advisor continues to provide support, encouragement, and resources as the student works toward their goals. This phase emphasizes accountability and persistence, with the advisor helping the student navigate challenges and stay focused on their objectives.

6. Don't Settle

The Don't Settle phase encourages students to achieve their full potential. Advisors challenge students to exceed their own expectations and continuously seek growth and improvement. This phase is about inspiring students to push beyond their comfort zones and providing support along the way.

Research

Research on Appreciative Advising has shown positive outcomes, including increased student satisfaction with advising, improved academic performance, and higher retention rates. Studies have also highlighted the effectiveness of the approach in fostering strong advisor-student relationships and in helping students develop a clearer sense of purpose and direction.

Applications

Appreciative Advising is used in various educational settings, including higher education and K-12 schools. Encouraged by the positive outcomes observed in student retention, the application of Appreciative Advising principles expanded to various domains, including administration (Appreciative Administration), teaching (Appreciative Instruction), mentoring, coaching, counseling, orientation, admissions, housing, tutoring, and more. This broader implementation of Appreciative Advising is now recognized as Appreciative Education.

Training and Certification

Training in Appreciative Advising is available through various workshops, online courses, institutes, and conferences. The FAU Office of Appreciative Education offers lifetime certification for those who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in this approach. These programs provide both theoretical foundations and practical tools for implementing Appreciative Advising in diverse educational contexts.