What does it take to build meaningful, scalable professional development for academic advisors across an entire university system?

In this episode of Adventures in Advising, Matt and Ryan pull back the curtain on a remarkable systemwide effort within the University of Texas System: the creation and launch of the Fundamentals of Excellence in Academic Advising learning modules. Joined by Angie Barrera, Weston Rose, Dr. Heather Smith, and Dr. Rebecca Karoff, the conversation traces this initiative from early vision to implementation, highlighting the collaboration, trust-building, and intentional design required to support advising at scale.

Listeners will hear how system leadership partnered with campus practitioners, how advisor voices shaped the curriculum, and how flexibility was preserved across diverse institutional contexts. Along the way, the guests share lessons learned, early outcomes, and insights for other systems seeking to elevate advising as a profession and a cornerstone of student success.

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In this special episode of Adventures and Advising, guest host Dr. Margaret Mbindyo (Millersville University) leads a rich, eye-opening conversation with Rasha Tawfik (American University of Sharjah) and Miriam Khalil (Northwestern University in Qatar). Together, they explore what academic advising looks like in the Middle East and what advisors everywhere can learn from it.

From family-centered student success and culturally responsive advising to global similarities in student anxiety, transition, and belonging, this episode challenges assumptions and expands perspectives. You’ll hear why advising in the Middle East is deeply relational, how empathy transcends borders, and why students across the world are far more alike than different.

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The Instagram, and Facebook handle for the podcast is @AdvisingPodcast

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In this special episode of Adventures in Advising, Matt welcomes back Dr. Craig McGill from Kansas State University for a bold and slightly unconventional experiment: a friendly debate with ChatGPT on the professionalization of academic advising.

Craig makes the case for why academic advising must continue to professionalize to gain legitimacy, resources, respect, and fair compensation, while ChatGPT plays the thoughtful skeptic, raising questions about flexibility, accessibility, and unintended barriers.

After the debate, Matt and Craig reflect on what the exchange revealed about the field, the limits of GenAI critique, and what professionalization really means for advisors’ day-to-day work. If you care about the future of academic advising, advisor identity, or just want to hear a scholar debate a GenAI, this episode delivers insight, humor, and plenty of food for thought 🤖

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The Instagram, and Facebook handle for the podcast is @AdvisingPodcast

Also, subscribe to our Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Connect with Matt and Ryan on LinkedIn.