Florida A&M University (FAMU) has announced that several of its academic advisors have been selected to present at the 2025 National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) National Conference. This recognition highlights FAMU’s role in advancing academic advising and supporting student success, particularly within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“Conferences such as NCADA not only serve as a platform for sharing knowledge but also as a catalyst for innovative leadership. Engaging with peers inspires us to challenge the status quo and empowers us to lead with vision and purpose,” said Errick Farmer, Ph.D., associate dean and associate professor of the School of Allied Health Sciences.
The university’s advisors shared strategies, research, and best practices aimed at improving academic advising and institutional effectiveness. Their presentations addressed challenges unique to HBCUs and proposed new frameworks focused on equity, communication, and student-centered approaches in higher education.
One presentation, “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Communication Between Leadership and Academic Advisors at HBCUs,” received the Community Sponsored designation from NACADA. The panel included Syndy Gilliam-Ulee, Adriene Hampton-Webster, Michael Huggins, Dr. Errick Farmer from FAMU, and Bernard Shuford from Florida State University. Their research highlighted how excluding advisors from decision-making can reduce morale and limit opportunities for student support. They advocated for transparent communication models between university leadership and advisors to improve engagement and outcomes.
The presenters stressed the importance of intentional communication between advisors and institutional leaders at HBCUs. According to their findings, giving advisors a stronger voice can enhance advising culture, boost morale, and improve student results. NACADA’s recognition underscores the urgency of these issues across higher education.
“This recognition from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) affirms that this conversation is not only relevant but urgently needed. Strengthening communication between leadership and advisors is essential to improving the student experience, advisor morale, and overall institutional effectiveness. I am grateful that NACADA sees the value in this work, and I am hopeful that it will spark meaningful change across HBCUs nationwide,” said Syndy Gilliam-Ulee, lead presenter and advisor in the College of Science and Technology.
Another session titled “Thriving in a Unique Environment: Cultivating Specialized Advising at HBCUs” focused on advisor burnout caused by broad job expectations. Led by Teresa L. Berger, Michael Huggins, and Adriene Hampton-Webster, it proposed moving toward specialized roles supported by campus resources instead of expecting advisors to handle all responsibilities alone.
“The ‘jack of all trades’ expectation placed on academic advisors at HBCUs is simply unsustainable, driving high rates of advisor turnover and burnout. When advisors are tasked not only with academic guidance but also with serving as cultural navigators for students managing complex challenges, we must move past generalized advising and implement a specialized, culturally responsive model that decreases or eliminates this stress and maximizes effectiveness,” said Teresa L. Berger, academic advisor for FAMU/FSU College of Engineering.
Additionally, FAMU showcased research on using artificial intelligence tools to assist biology majors through personalized advisement support systems designed specifically for STEM students at HBCUs.
