11/7/25

HAYS, Kan. – Two professional advisors from Fort Hays State University’s College of Education recently presented at the NACADA Annual Conference on October 28.

Megan Maska and Peony Weber, professional advisors in FHSU’s Department of Teacher Education, shared their work in a poster session titled “Referral to Relationship: A Structured Referral Process for Faculty Mentorship in Teacher Education.”

Their presentation examined how intentional, structured referrals can enhance the relationships between students and faculty mentors. While referrals are essential in academic support and student success, Maska and Weber noted that many students may hesitate to follow through on referrals due to anxiety, uncertainty about procedures, or feeling overwhelmed by the process.

To address these challenges, the advising team developed a three-step referral model designed to connect students more effectively with faculty mentors. The process identifies students who might benefit from additional support and pairs them with faculty mentors whose credentials and areas of expertise align with the students’ needs. Each faculty member maintains a mentoring profile, enabling advisors to make personalized, meaningful connections that encourage student engagement and academic growth.

The NACADA Annual Conference is the largest professional gathering for academic advisors, drawing participants from across the nation and around the world to share best practices, research, and innovations in academic advising.