AAC Team Attends the National Academic Advising Association Conference

Director of the Academic Advising Center (AAC) Dr. Kathryn Kleypas and Assistant Director Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq attended the Annual Conference of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) in Nashville, Tennessee in early October. They presented a poster session and a panel on the theme of academic advising at an American-style university in the Gulf. In their panel presentation they explored varying viewpoints on the appropriateness of American theories of advising for students outside the US and discussed awareness of students' academic and emotional preparedness for American-style education.

Dr. Kleypas and Hala also attended a variety of workshops and panels throughout the duration of the conference. Both participants found the topics of the panels and workshops very enriching. While the topics of the panels varied, they all focused in one way or another on the theme of student support and ways that advisors can have a powerful impact on the students' academic careers. Dr. Kleypas and Hala are very excited to implement some of the new approaches to advising they were exposed to at the conference at AUK. The National Academic Advising Association is eager to develop their network of international universities and Dr. Kleypas and Hala are looking forward to being active participants in the association's initiatives and continuing to foster the professional relationships they established at the conference.

The Academic Advising Center (AAC) provides academic support to all currently undeclared students. Programs include academic advising, academic support (tutoring, supplemental instruction and success skills workshops), and retention initiatives.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 21st November 2012