Florida A&M University (FAMU) has received national recognition as members of its academic advising team were chosen to present at the 2025 National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) National Conference. This event is a significant platform for higher education professionals and highlights FAMU’s contributions in advancing student support, 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 FAMU advisors presented research on improving academic advising practices and institutional effectiveness. Their work addressed issues unique to HBCUs, focusing on equity, communication, and student-centered strategies.
One presentation titled “Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Communication Between Leadership and Academic Advisors at HBCUs” was awarded the Community Sponsored designation by 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 that when advisors are excluded from decision-making processes, it can result in lower morale and missed opportunities to better support students. The team recommended transparent and collaborative communication models between university leadership and advisors to enhance engagement and improve outcomes.
“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, advisor, College of Science and Technology.
Another session called “Thriving in a Unique Environment: Cultivating Specialized Advising at HBCUs” examined advisor burnout due to broad responsibilities beyond academics—including mentoring first-generation students or those facing financial or housing challenges. Presenters Teresa L. Berger, Michael Huggins, and Adriene Hampton-Webster proposed shifting toward specialized expertise with greater collaboration among campus services through an initiative named the HBCU Village.
“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.
FAMU’s innovation efforts were further demonstrated in a research poster titled “AI-Driven Success: Transforming Academic Advisement and Learning for Biology Majors at HBCUs.” Presented by Letina Banks, Ph.D., Syndy Gilliam-Ulee, and Kathleen Lanier, this project explored how artificial intelligence tools can help personalize advisement for STEM students.
