Advising Student Groups and Organizations, 8. 5 X 11

The book clarifies the various roles of the adviser, including teacher, leader, follower, supervisor, and mentor. It reviews mediation and problem solving, discusses communication and learning styles, shows how to build connections with students, understand group development, identify the boundaries between advising and friendship, and maintain relationships with students from every walk of life. Strategies for motivating student leaders, providing academic and career assistance, and tackling budgetary and legal issues are included as well. Reading lists, suggested activities, and case studies are woven throughout the book and offer practical, day-to-day advice that make the advisory role easier and more rewarding.

The authors have successfully combined a thorough analysis of the essential elements of student organization advising with practical tools to apply the concepts. This book is essential reading for those who aspire to be effective organizational advisors.


—Sara A. Boatman, vice president for student affairs, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Student organization advisors play an increasingly important role on campus. Advising Student Groups and Organizations provides the knowledge base and skills advisers need to improve their effectiveness. From the rewards and challenges of advising student groups to the specific knowledge, skills and qualities advisers need on a daily basis, this comprehensive overview offers advisers both theoretical and practical guidelines. Readers will learn to motivate leaders, provide academic and career assistance, tackle budget and accounting issues and more.

NORBERT W. DUNKEL is the associate director of housing for staff and student development at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He co-founded the National Housing Training Institute and has co-directed it for the past seven years. He served as an associate editor for The College Student Affairs Journal and editor of The Journal of College and University Student Housing. He has served as a student organization adviser for the past 16 years. JOHN H. SCHUH is professor of educational leadership in the college of education at Iowa State University. He is author of 11 books and monographs including Involving Colleges (with George Kuh) and Assessment in Student Affairs (with M. Lee Upcraft). He has been editor and chair of the American College Personnel Association Media Board. He received the Dorothy C. Miller award for outstanding contributions to the Wichita State University Greek system and was awarded a Fulbright grant to study higher education in Germany in 1994.