Adventures in Advising

In this special episode of Adventures in Advising, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Terry O’Banion—visionary leader, prolific author, and one of the most influential voices in the history of academic advising and the community college movement. Known for challenging higher education to place student learning at the center, Dr. O’Banion’s work continues to inspire generations of educators.

Hosts Matt Markin and Ryan Scheckel a...

Ever wondered what happens when advising professionals trade their campus offices for classrooms to lead students across the globe ? In this special panel episode, guest host Gavin Farber brings together Dr. Sarah Imam, The Citadel; Brittany Hoover, University of Florida; Chris Kirchhof, University of Pittsburgh; and Jill Paulson, University of South Dakota. These incredible advising professionals share their journeys leading stude...

In this edition of Adventures in Advising, Matt and Ryan are joined by Jaime Ortiz, Director of Academic Advising at Saint Louis University’s Madrid campus. From his early days as a scholarship student to becoming a leader shaping the evolution of advising at SLU-Madrid, Jaime shares a powerful story of growth, resilience, and cross-cultural connection.

Tune in to hear how Jaime helped transform a one-person advising office into a t...

What is academic advising and who gets to define it? Kyle Ross, NACADA Executive Director; Janet Schulenberg, Penn State; and Patrick Cate, Lakes Region Community College, explore NACADA’s bold initiative: creating an official definition and scope of practice for academic advising. From institutional leadership to frontline advising, they explore how this effort could reshape professional development, elevate advising’s visibility,...

After five and a half years of building community and sharing best practices, Adventures in Advising is leveling up! In this special episode, we unveil two brand-new spinoff podcasts designed to broaden the conversation and amplify even more voices in higher education.

🎧 Meet the hosts behind these new ventures:

• Bri Harvie, co-host of Emerging Voices, shares how the podcast spotlights the stories and journeys of NACADA’s Emergin...

Dr. Jamie Cawthra, lecturer at University College London, focuses on trust and its role in higher education, as well as staff training around generative AI. The discussion explores the challenges and opportunities presented by gen AI in education, including its rapid development, the difficulties in detecting AI-generated content, and the need for clear communication and shared understanding between students and staff regarding app...

Panelists Carrie Egnosak, Penn State World Campus; Beth Hobbs, American Public University System; and Katie Bunnell, SPU doctoral student, dive into the evolving landscape of online academic advising. Together, they explore the power of virtual relationships, the challenges of fostering community online, and why representation and research in remote advising matter more than ever. Whether you're new to online education or a se...

Janelle Yasukochi, Maria Aladjova, and Kevin McVay of University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the dynamic trio co-chairing this year’s NACADA Annual Conference in Las Vegas share what makes this year’s event a must-attend. With the theme "Viva Advising: Excellence in Student Support," this conference is a celebration of community, growth, and the future of advising. Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just starting out,...

Dr. Sarah Bosch, chief operating officer at the United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring (UKAT) association, discusses her unique path from competitive athletics to a doctorate in biomechanics and a distinguished career in academic advising. She reflects on her leadership in enhancing advising practices at Sheffield Hallam University and her contributions to UKAT in areas such as institutional accreditation and professional development...

Matt and Ryan sit down with Dr. Daniel MacDonald and Dr. Jeremy Murray from California State University, San Bernardino to explore the faculty perspective of how generative AI is reshaping higher education. From concerns about AI replacing critical thinking to the promise of increased accessibility and productivity, the conversation dives deep into the ethical and practical implications of AI in the classroom. MacDonald and Murray ...

Dr. Lisa Rubin, professor in the College of Education at Kansas State University and Dr. Ashley Thomas, assistant director of resources and managing editor at NACADA discuss Rubin’s upcoming book, Ethical Issues in Academic Advising, a new guidebook shaped by her journey from athletic advisor to professor at Kansas State University. This conversation dives into the ethical challenges advisors face every day with clarity, compassion...

In this episode, Matt and Ryan dive into the California State University system's landmark rollout of ChatGPT to over half a million students, faculty, and staff. The CSU’s bold AI initiative is meant to reshape higher education by tackling equitable access, responsible use, and workforce readiness. We also explore tough questions about AI’s impact on jobs and sustainability, as well as how CSU leaders are responding. Panelist...

Dan Wienecke, academic advisor and instructor at Arapahoe Community College, shares his journey from Colorado State University to various international roles, including Peace Corps service in Kazakhstan. At ACC, Dan focuses on retention, particularly for students on academic recovery. Wienecke discusses ACC's performance support workshops, which help students understand and improve their academic standing. He also discusses th...

Brendan Caputo, director of student affairs at Long Island University, shares his inspiring path through higher education and his mission to support student success. From living on campus to leading LIU’s innovative Center for Student Success and Coaching, Caputo offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a responsive, student-centered support system. He dives into his research on academic procrastination—uncovering ...

In this episode, Ryan Scheckel from Texas Tech University officially joins the podcast! 

03:53 - Ann Bingham with University of Southampton interviews UK Advising and Tutoring CEO David Grey, looking back at the 10-year anniversary of the UKAT conference, honoring a decade of impact, innovation, and inspiration. 

16:21 - Matt Markin facilitates a panel discussion with Ryan Scheckel, Texas Tech University; Iris Burks, Maastricht Unive...

Guest host Raezheen Pascua, academic advisor at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa teams up with program director Pearlena (Lena) Sarono Stone for an inspiring episode recorded fresh off their presentation at the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Together, they dive into how First Year Experience courses can be powerful tools for promoting holistic student well-being, easing the college transition, and creating inclusive spac...

Thomas Beckwith with University of Florida leads a lively conversation with panelists: Tim Cox, Lafayette College; Kris Valentine, University of Florida and Shaura Thomas, University of Florida. Panelists break down what makes advising at two-year and four-year colleges so different—and why it matters. From centralized vs. faculty-driven models to the pace and scope of student interactions, panelists share real-world insights on ho...

Matt Markin from CSU San Bernardino and Ryan Scheckel from Texas Tech University dive into the exciting world of AI-powered tools reshaping the experiences of both students and advisors. They explore Google's NotebookLM, an AI assistant that digests your documents, delivers smart summaries, and even creates personalized audio overviews. They also check out Thea Study, a beta-stage platform offering AI-crafted study guides, fla...

In this inspiring episode, David Smith, Advising Specialist at Jefferson College, shares his remarkable 30+ year journey through higher education—from community college student to music professor to mentor and administrator. David dives into his work with the Region VII Mentoring Program and the power of academic coaching. Discover how tools like the action brainstorming worksheet help students turn goals into reality, and why seek...