This book focuses on the unique needs of college students who are undecided regarding a field of study and/or career path, and the various approaches that advisors and counselors may take. The text draws on extensive research, both recent and historical, and explores what is most effective in successful universities today. The text explores the many and varied reasons that lead college students to be undecided, and the different solutions that will assist the student in coping with their circumstances and reaching a successful resolution. This updated version includes many ways in which the In.

The first year of college represents an enormous milestone in students' lives. Whether attending a four-year or two-year institution of higher education, living on campus or at home, or enrolled in a highly selective school or a college with an open-admissions policy, students are challenged in unique and demanding ways during their first year. Although many students rise to the challenges they face, for some the demands are too great. Retention rates beyond the first year are disappointing: one third of first-year students seriously consider leaving college during their first term, and ultimately one half of all students who start college complete it. What are the factors that impact students during their first year? How can the academic and social experiences of first-year students be optimized? What can we do to improve retention rates to maximize the number of students who complete college? Improving the First Year of College employs a variety of perspectives from leading researchers and student-service providers to address these questions and examine the first year of college. This volume also highlights the development of learning communities and coaching, as well as how technology impacts students' first year. Perhaps most important, the book provides examples of "best practices," as determined through research by leaders in the field, to permit educators to draw on their experiences.

The purpose of Theory of College Student Development is to provide readers with new theoretical knowledge or a reminder of the foundational and evolving theories that professionals can utilize for understanding and making sense of students’ behavior. Its primary focus is on the integration of knowledge, skills, and application of such theories in such a way as to emphasize utility and application. A unique component is its emphasis on professional competence, professional identity, and theoretical application. Unlike previously published case study books designed to reach student development theory, this text utilizes a single case that allows readers to see how a range of theories are applicable to this one case. Theories presented for application include both foundational and evolving theoretical perspectives. The twelve chapters have been written by both faculty and practitioners. Each coeditor and chapter author brings unique perspectives and lens of viewing theory and application, representing their experiences, talents, and expertise. It features authors who represent the best of the best, and these authors challenged us to be more innovative as we reimagine the evolution of student development theory. The editors had two specific audiences in mind: faculty and higher education practitioners. With over two hundred graduate preparation programs in the United States, most offering a student development theory course, this book will help graduate faculty, both new and seasoned, with a mechanism for teaching theory in a fun, relevant, and innovative way.

The Handbook of Career Advising "The Handbook of Career Advising not only provides a general introduction to this important academic advising function, but offers many practical applications that can help students make realistic and timely career decisions. As students face an ever-changing and complex workplace, helping them integrate their academic and career decisions has never been more important. This book is an excellent resource for advisors; it helps them become more cognizant of the critical role they play and will facilitate the development of the knowledge and competencies required to perform this important advising task." Virginia Gordon, associate professor emeritus, The Ohio State University "This book provides a wealth of information for anyone whose work involves helping students discover how intentional choices in curricular and cocurricular educational experiences can prepare them for tomorrow's workplace. The theoretical foundations, information and resources, frameworks for practice, and recommendations for the future included in this book will guide academic advisors as they positively influence students' lives by helping them systematically and enthusiastically approach their career development." Mary Stuart Hunter, assistant vice provost, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, University of South Carolina "The Handbook of Career Advising provides excellent information, resources, and examples of how academic advisors can become more knowledgeable and comfortable in providing career advising. Here, authors address critical issues such as diversity, working with specific student groups, and working with undecided or exploratory students. This book provides examples that illustrate how career and academic advising are significant parts of the teaching and learning process that support student success on our campuses." Casey Self, executive director, Academic Advising, University College, Arizona State University, and 2009 NACADA president

The world of technology is advancing at a rapid pace. New career fields are emerging, new interdisciplinary majors are being developed, and new college majors are being formed to prepare students for an ever-changing workplace. This revised edition provides extensive and systematic accounts of research (old and new), model programs for assisting students, and diverse theory for understanding the undecided college student. The text focuses on the unique needs of college students who are undecided regarding a field of study and/or career path, and the various approaches that advisers and counselors may take. A comprehensive examination of the undecided college student is offered, from a review of the vast research to the practical methods for advising and counseling. The book includes many ways in which the Internet serves as a useful tool for assisting the gathering of resources for the undecided college student. In addition, theoretical frameworks relevant to undecided students, types of undecided students, administrative models and scopes of services, program components, and exemplary practices are discussed. Advisors, counselors, and faculty will garner useful theoretical and practical information that can be applied in individual counseling, group settings, and workshops.

This book brings together both leading-edge research and practical insights on the first-year experience in higher education. Written by a large team of experts, the text integrates a variety of multidisciplinary approaches and real-life case studies into an effective pedagogical resource for the higher education scholarly audience of both professors and administrators to address the needs of first-year students in higher education. The book includes material authored by 39 professors and professionals from more than 20 universities and higher education organizations from across the USA, Canada, the Philippines, and Germany. This book offers insights for disciplines including business administration and management, communications, counseling, education, law and governance, mental health and psychology, sociology, and others. Scholars and practitioners in a variety of higher education areas can benefit from it in terms of their work in academic success, advising, campus safety, career services, dual enrollment programs, emergency management, mathematics education, service learning, student well-being, technology management, and other areas.

Explores the higher educational journeys of students of immigrant origin, providing policy, practice, and research implications.

This groundbreaking book edited by Terence Hicks, a quantitative research professor, and Abul Pitre, a qualitative research professor, builds upon the usefulness of each research method and integrates them by providing valuable findings on a diverse group of college students. This book provides the reader with a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research studies surrounding nine chapters on African American, first-generation, undecided, and non-traditional college students. Drawing from major quantitative and qualitative theoretical research frameworks found in multicultural education, Research Studies in Higher Education is a must-read. The chapter authors provide important recommendations for university administrators, faculty, and staff in supporting the academic, personal, and social adjustment of college life for African American, first-generation, undecided, and non-traditional college students. The book contributes greatly to the research literature regarding the role that educational leaders have in educating multicultural college students.