Students benefit during their time at Iowa State when they join any of the nearly 800 student organizations. Faculty and staff can help students get the most out of the experience by serving as an advisor for an organization.
Questions?
For more information about becoming an advisor to a student organization, email studentengage@iastate.edu.
"Our data shows that student organization officers have better retention than the average student from the first to second and second to third year," said Memorial Union associate director for student engagement Kristine Heflin. "We also know that students in student organizations feel like they are part of the Iowa State community, and if they feel that way they are more likely to persist and graduate. It gives them a connection to people outside of the classroom that can be very important."
Any faculty or professional and scientific staff member employed at least half time on a continuous basis can serve as an advisor. Organizations can have more than one advisor. Advisors must complete Canvas training required by student engagement and handle the online compliance agreement form every time there is a change in an organization's president, treasurer or advisor.
Typical duties of a student organization advisor include:
- Assist in planning, evaluating and providing oversight of group activities and events.
- Provide mentoring and support to members and officers.
- Communicate Iowa State policies and procedures.
- Encourage compliance with policy and completion of trainings.
- Approve financial expenditures and guide fundraising and budget planning.
- Be a cheerleader and recognize outstanding achievement.
Faculty and staff can search the student organization database to connect with groups they want to support. They also might be approached by students looking for an advisor. Heflin recommends employees discuss a potential advisor role with their supervisor before agreeing to serve.
"For 90% of our organizations, it's not very time consuming for the advisor," Heflin said. "They can be as involved as they want to be. It's a chance for the advisor to make connections in an area they have expertise in, outside of the classroom."
She said faculty and staff also can support student organizations by:
- Using the student organization database to connect students to existing clubs and organizations.
- Sharing their relevant experiences with organizations as a speaker or presenter.
