ATA Advising Fellows Program
The Advising Fellows Initiative is sponsored by the Advisor Training Academy to create advanced opportunities for professional development for experienced academic advising staff. This program has been designed to enhance advisor leadership, technical, facilitation, and project management skills and to provide another avenue of service for the advising community.
Commitment
Applicants will apply for a specific project to complete for a given term (1 to 2 semesters) and will be supervised by Kate Bernas, Advisor Training Academy.
- 10-15 hours per month, depending on the project selected
- Attend monthly cohort meetings
- Facilitate or co-facilitate one Advising Circle program during your Fellow term(s)
- Complete an Advising Fellows program evaluation
Current Advising Fellow Projects
| Project | Commitment | No. Fellows | Outcomes |
| Advisor Scholarship & Research | 2 terms | 2 | Create a branch of the ATA that supports the scholarship and research interests for advisors. Outcomes would include dedicated webpages, the creation of regular workshops, and other appropriate resources & materials that can be sustained by the ATA. |
| Advising Circles
| 1 term | 1-2 | Expand advising circles program to include other institutions and establishes content creation workflow. |
| DEI Initiative
| 1-2 terms | 2 | Create and develop a project focused on diversity,equity, and inclusion. This initiative should be a high-level project that incorporates project management, program development and implementation. |
| Advisor Development & Self-Assessment | 2 terms | 2-3 | Create a process where advisors can track their professional development, assess their needs, and evaluate gaps in their training as it relates to the core comepetencies framework (Conceptual, Informational, Relational). |
| Advisor Appreciation Day | 1-2 terms | 2 | Create an annual day that celebrates advisors, academic coaches, and other staff that work on the frontlines with students. |
| Advisor as Career Champion | 1-2 terms | 2 | Create materials and/or workshops that support the idea of academic advisors as career champions. Explore how elements of career counseling can be implemented into advising practice and tracked for outcomes. |
| Create-your-own-project | 1-2 terms | 1-2 | Create materials and/or workshops related to a project or program that can enhance the ATA and support the WSU advising and coaching community. |
Requirements to apply
- Three or more years of advising experience
- Fellows must be able to commit to at least one semester of service and 10-15 hours per month
- Permission from supervisor (approval form signed and submitted with application)
Term: Fall/Winter semesters.
Application process
The 2025 Advising Fellows are underway. Check back for new cohort information in 2026.
Application deadline
Applicants should complete the application form and upload a copy of their professional record and supervisor approval form by the submission deadline (TBD). Use the Submission form link below. Email Kate Bernas (ab9599) with any questions.
Fellows program outcomes
Upon completion of the fellows project, advisors can be expected to receive:
- Paid NACADA membership for a year (requires Provost approval)
- Recognition via the ATA Website and the ATA Recognition program
- Letter of completion sent to chair/dean
- $200 toward professional development
- Certificate of completion
- Clifton Strengthsfinder book with assessment
- Work as a mentor for other new fellows
The submission form will be sent with the new Fellows cohort launch. Reach out to Amanda Horwitz (fg8638) for information related to the WSU Advising Fellows program.