Multicultural Advising - Operational Definition
- Multicultural advising operates under the assumption that all students have a diverse background. This includes a variety of factors including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability. As such, all students will have different needs and are in need of multicultural advising.
- Multicultural advising means that we support diversity and acknowledge that it enhances the quality of higher education.
- Multicultural advising strives to assist with the development of the whole student by encouraging self-exploration and reliance, helping them overcome any obstacles to their academic success, and addressing any institutional or personal barriers they face as a result of their cultural background.
- Multicultural advising includes becoming educated about a variety cultures, beliefs, genders and sexual orientation, understanding the challenges these students face (such as racism and prejudice), and applying appropriate developmental theories and practices as needed.
- Multicultural advising acknowledges that the interactions of all aspects of a person's identity will affect their academic choices, retention and success and strives to assist the student with achieving their personal goals and transitioning out of higher education (NACADA, Statement of Core Values, 2004).