Margaret King, a founder of National Academic Advising Association, defines developmental advising as both a process and an orientation. It reflects the idea of movement and progression. It goes beyond simply giving information or signing a form.

For the full article read: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/clearinghouse/advisingissues/dev_adv.htm

In essence all students are “developmental” in that they are constantly “developing” skills that help them achieve their academic, personal, and career goals. For most students, the first year is a time when even more attention is required to help students transition successfully.

Recognizing this, a group of faculty and staff at BCC created a center specifically designed to meet the needs of incoming students especially those who test into two or more developmental courses.

The overall mission of the center named “GetREAL” (GetResources in Education, Advising, and Learning) is to build a relationship between advisor and student that, as it develops, encourages student independence as they achieve educational, career, and personal goals through the use of a broad range of college resources.

The center opened this past September. Currently there are 12 advisors, some professional staff, some adjunct faculty who are advising roughly 60 students in everything from what classes to take to setting career goals. It is truly an approach the focuses on the whole student.

Look for updates as the year moves on.