In this edition of Adventures in Advising, Matt and Ryan are joined by Jaime Ortiz, Director of Academic Advising at Saint Louis University’s Madrid campus. From his early days as a scholarship student to becoming a leader shaping the evolution of advising at SLU-Madrid, Jaime shares a powerful story of growth, resilience, and cross-cultural connection.

Tune in to hear how Jaime helped transform a one-person advising office into a thriving team supporting both permanent and study abroad students, all while balancing the unique challenges of being an American institution in a European setting. Plus, don’t miss his take on building community, embracing sci-fi, and what it really means to be at the crossroads of global education.

🧭 Madrid, advising a globally diverse student body, and a touch of Star Wars...what more could you want?

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What is academic advising and who gets to define it? Kyle Ross, NACADA Executive Director; Janet Schulenberg, Penn State; and Patrick Cate, Lakes Region Community College, explore NACADA’s bold initiative: creating an official definition and scope of practice for academic advising. From institutional leadership to frontline advising, they explore how this effort could reshape professional development, elevate advising’s visibility, and influence external stakeholders. This conversation covers how institutional context and misused terminology muddy the waters, as well as how this definition seeks to clarify the profession’s identity.

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After five and a half years of building community and sharing best practices, Adventures in Advising is leveling up! In this special episode, we unveil two brand-new spinoff podcasts designed to broaden the conversation and amplify even more voices in higher education.

🎧 Meet the hosts behind these new ventures:

• Bri Harvie, co-host of Emerging Voices, shares how the podcast spotlights the stories and journeys of NACADA’s Emerging Leaders Program participants—and why no two advising paths are alike.
• Kevin Thomas & Michael "Brody" Broshears, co-hosts of The Pickup Meeting, bring their administrative expertise (and sense of humor) to real, unscripted conversations about leadership, innovation, and problem-solving in student success.

Expect laughs, real talk, and a whole lot of inspiration. Whether you’re an advisor, leader, or somewhere in between, this episode is your front-row seat to the next chapter of the Adventures in Advising network.

🗓️ The Pickup Meeting launches August 6
🎙️ Emerging Voices is already live—go binge it now!

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Dr. Jamie Cawthra, lecturer at University College London, focuses on trust and its role in higher education, as well as staff training around generative AI. The discussion explores the challenges and opportunities presented by gen AI in education, including its rapid development, the difficulties in detecting AI-generated content, and the need for clear communication and shared understanding between students and staff regarding appropriate AI usage to foster trust and academic integrity.

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Panelists Carrie Egnosak, Penn State World Campus; Beth Hobbs, American Public University System; and Katie Bunnell, SPU doctoral student, dive into the evolving landscape of online academic advising. Together, they explore the power of virtual relationships, the challenges of fostering community online, and why representation and research in remote advising matter more than ever. Whether you're new to online education or a seasoned pro, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about connection, support, and the future of advising.

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Janelle Yasukochi, Maria Aladjova, and Kevin McVay of University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the dynamic trio co-chairing this year’s NACADA Annual Conference in Las Vegas share what makes this year’s event a must-attend. With the theme "Viva Advising: Excellence in Student Support," this conference is a celebration of community, growth, and the future of advising. Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just starting out, this episode offers a dynamic preview of what promises to be an energizing and impactful gathering for the advising profession.

Register for the conference on or before September 11, 2025!

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Dr. Sarah Bosch, chief operating officer at the United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring (UKAT) association, discusses her unique path from competitive athletics to a doctorate in biomechanics and a distinguished career in academic advising. She reflects on her leadership in enhancing advising practices at Sheffield Hallam University and her contributions to UKAT in areas such as institutional accreditation and professional development. Sarah underscores the critical role of personal tutoring and shares insights from her research on postgraduate advising, highlighting the effectiveness of the embedded advising model. Sarah emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and inclusive support structures and the role that UKAT is playing to shape the conversations around student success.

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Matt and Ryan sit down with Dr. Daniel MacDonald and Dr. Jeremy Murray from California State University, San Bernardino to explore the faculty perspective of how generative AI is reshaping higher education. From concerns about AI replacing critical thinking to the promise of increased accessibility and productivity, the conversation dives deep into the ethical and practical implications of AI in the classroom. MacDonald and Murray call for clear departmental policies, thoughtful integration, and a renewed focus on teaching students how to think—not just what to produce.

Dr. Daniel MacDonald is Chair of the Economics Department at California State University San Bernardino and Founder of Inland Empire Dynamic Insights LLC, an economics-based consulting firm specializing in data analysis for law, higher ed, and local government. He is an educator with over 10 years of experience in academic and applied research. Find him online at, and check out his company at https://iedynamicinsights.com/

Dr. Jeremy Murray teaches and writes about modern China and US-China relations, and has published work on Hainan island, Asian cultural traditions, and pop culture. He serves as faculty co-advisor for the award-winning student-run history journal, History in the Making. He coordinates the CSUSB Modern China Lecture Series and helps coordinate the CSUSB Conversations on Race and Policing and the Disability Studies Lecture Series. He was a Wilson Center China Fellow for the 2022-23 year and is a Fulbright Taiwan Fellow for the 2025-26 cycle. Find his faculty profile here: https://www.csusb.edu/profile/jmurray

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