Last Thursday, the Council on Academic Counseling held a symposium to "bring everyone together for a great conversation" about academic counseling, according to Laura Smithers.
The CAC was formed in 2009 by Susie Brubaker-Cole, who brought together Oregon State University's different academic counseling offices into one community, allowing members to learn from each other and develop their support of college students not only on our campus, but nationally.
The Holistic Academic Counseling Symposium was the CAC's first "big interaction on campus, but the first of many," Smithers said. The goal of the event was to inspire conversation about academic counseling: methods, experiences, ideologies, etc., between the symposium's participants from OSU as well as other colleges and programs. It also focused on the importance of counseling to the student body and "put us in context historically," said Janet Nishihara, co-chair of the CAC.
The symposium opened with introductions followed by a presentation from Dr. Hunter Boylan, director of the National Center for Developmental Education, professor at Appalachian State University in North Carolina and an established presence in developmental education.
Boylan spoke to the group about the principles of mentoring, as well as validated the importance of academic counseling on our campus and as a profession across the nation. "We frequently don't realize the importance of what we do for the nation, for our future generation," Boylan said. "Other people don't recognize that either, and it's our responsibility to make sure they do."
Boylan explained the impact of life issues, circumstantial stresses and even relationship problems on whether a student graduates or not. He called upon counselors to not only get students on the right track, but to provide them with the support, understanding and encouragement they need to reach their life goals.
He emphasized the importance of diversity in higher education, for the physical, mental and emotional growth of a campus. He went on to explain how differing cultures can bring their own challenges for both the students and faculty, challenges that counselors need to help both sides overcome.
"You don't have to give up your culture to go where you want to go," Boylan said, emphasizing that diversity is not something to overcome, but rather work with.
After his first presentation and prior to his second, which went into greater depth on mentoring, the symposium consisted of group presentations, discussions and collaborations meant to broaden the perspectives and strategies of each participant.
Members of the CAC are hopeful that this symposium is the first step toward an increased presence on campus that will result in a more rewarding relationship between students and their college. Whatever a student's concern, the CAC is happy to provide support and guidance.
Katja Kozber, staff reporter
737-2231 news@dailybarometer.com
is a member of the 
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