Advisor Appreciation Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Academic Advisor

Advisor Appreciation Day is observed annually on April 21 to recognise the contribution of advisors to the education sector. Since the 1700s, the American educational system has been in place. It seeks to recognise the contributions of education advisors. Education advisors are college-bound or current students’ academic counsellors or consultants. They assist students in selecting disciplines, applying for scholarships, selecting courses, and making career decisions. On this day, advisors are honoured for their contribution to guiding youthful lives. They invest a great deal of time and effort and are not always adequately compensated.

The background of Advisor Appreciation Day

Academic advising has existed since the establishment of educational agencies in the United States in the late 18th century. During this period, universities such as Yale and Harvard were established. It is believed that the counselling system originated in British educational institutions such as Cambridge and Oxford. In this system, emphasis was placed not only on academics, but also on character development.

The first difference between the English and American systems occurred during the American Revolution. American colleges believed that students are independent thinkers and that it should be up to them to determine their own development. During World War I, the emphasis on producing well-rounded individuals reemerged as the United States Army began recruiting soldiers on the basis of their abilities. The Progressive Education Movement, which occurred in the 1920s, sought to provide a more holistic learning environment. The publication of The Student Personal Point of View occurred in 1937.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the issue of a student’s holistic development was of paramount importance. Currently, the advisory system in education is expanding and contributing to the development of students inside and outside the classroom. The advisors provide academic support, assist fee-needing students in finding employment, and instruct students in good study practises and time management. Because they are so invested in their clients, student advisors need a special day to honour them. They are the unsung champions of the university community.