Welcome to the premiere of The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal, an electronic publication about academic advising in higher education. Our first four articles address a variety of advising-related topics: (1) a survey that was generated by the concerns of a new adviser; (2) advice from a faculty member to college students and their parents; (3) a research-oriented analysis of the use of e-mail in advising; and (4) a personal reflection on education as transformation and growth.
Unlike paper publications and most other Web-based journals, The Mentor is taking a fresh approach to the circulation of new ideas by publishing articles on a rolling basis shortly after they have been received in a sort of “living journal” rather than in discrete, static issues. Additional information about this innovative method of journal publishing can be found in our “Overview” and “Submissions” sections.
To encourage our readers to become writers, a variety of ways to contribute to the journal have been incorporated into the website. Articles submitted for publication will be edited to conform to standards of good writing, but they will not be subjected to the traditional peer-review process. Articles do not need to be lengthy or research-based. Many of you who have presented sessions at regional and national advising conferences could easily convert your presentations into brief, informative articles for publication in the journal. Other opportunities to write for the journal include submitting responses to articles, contributing opinions to our monthly “Advising Forum” topic, and reacting to education-related works in our “Written Word” section.
We are also interested in receiving your feedback concerning the content, layout, and usefulness of the journal as a whole. Please take a minute or two to submit your opinions and suggestions using our “Feedback” form. You may also contact the journal by e-mail at mentor@psu.edu. We are looking forward to hearing from you.