Advisors wear many hats. They can act as supervisors, mentors, partners, role models, and teachers—all in a short period of time. It is important for the advisor to recognize when each of these roles is needed and to act accordingly. It is also important to limit each role and find a steady equilibrium.
Supervisor
- Provide oversight in maintaining the direction of the overall organization and during the planning process of events.
- Be knowledgeable with the organization’s finances by assisting the treasurer with the preparation of the yearly budget.
- Maintain continuity of the organization during transition periods.
Reflective Agent
- As an advisor, you will want your officers to talk to you about how they think they are performing, their strengths, and their weaknesses.
- Any criticism you provide students should be constructive and you will want to provide concrete examples of actions the student took that seem to contradict their self-perceptions.
- Remember to have students reflect on their successes and failures.
Educator
- Use the outcome of events to enhance student knowledge for future events. Members can learn from successful and less than successful events.
- Show patience and a positive disposition when helping members to learn.
- Help students make meaning of their experiences through reflection.
Role Model
- Be a positive influence for members and officers.
- Always be engaged during meetings and supportive of the members and their ideas.
- Always maintain appropriate behavior when in the presence of members of the organization.
Motivator
- Be their “cheerleader” to keep them excited about all of the potential successes they will experience!
- Motivate students to excel and to carry out their plans and achieve their goals.
- Use recognition of their efforts, appealing to their desire to create change, and to connect the experience they will have at Georgia Tech.
Ramblin' Reck Club reflecting on Dr. Gerome Stephens, 2021 Advisor of the Year
Dr. Stephens is authentic in his excitement for student and organizational success, and acts in the interest of developing passionate and inclusionary student leaders with all that he does.