Eta Sigma Gamma

The Role of the Faculty Advisor in ESG

Successful ESG chapters often share a common trait: a committed and engaged faculty advisor(s).

Faculty members who enjoy mentoring students and participating in professional development will find chapter sponsorship especially rewarding. Witnessing students grow into leadership roles while advancing ESG’s mission in health education offers lasting professional fulfillment. The relationships developed through this work often evolve into lifelong professional connections.

Selecting a Faculty Advisor

The success of a chapter begins with thoughtful advisor selection. Too often, faculty are assigned this role without consideration of their interest or qualifications. To ensure a strong chapter, academic programs should appoint faculty who are:

• Passionate about working with students professionally

• Supportive of student involvement in professional organizations

• Committed to the ESG mission of promoting education, service, research and advocacy in health education

• Creative, goal-oriented, and enthusiastic

• Willing to engage with students beyond the classroom

Leadership Styles Faculty Advisor

Advisors typically adopt one of the following leadership styles:

1. Student-Led Approach
   “It’s your organization; you run it.”
   This hands-off style encourages full student autonomy. While empowering, it may lead to instability if student leadership is inconsistent.

2. Supportive Observer
   “If you need me, let me know.”
   This balanced style involves minimal oversight but maintains awareness. Sponsors offer occasional guidance and remain available for support.

3. Engaged Partner
   “We have a job to do, and I’m here to help us succeed.”
   This coaching approach involves collaborative goal setting, regular guidance, and shared responsibility. Chapters led by engaged sponsors often demonstrate strong performance and sustained success.

Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

In alignment with ESG’s National By-Laws, each chapter must have a faculty advisor who supports, supervises, and advises students while ensuring compliance with institutional policies. Effective Faculty Advisors::

• Serve as role models by embodying the values of teaching, service, research and advocacy

• Clarify their role to the chapter (e.g., attending meetings, communicating with administration, writing reports)

• Facilitate officer training and leadership development

• Guide the chapter in balancing educational, service, research and advocacy initiatives

• Offer consistent encouragement and recognition

• Meet regularly with chapter leadership

• Ensure compliance with university policies

• Maintain chapter archives and records

The Faculty Advisor as Role Model

Advisors embody ESG’s ideals and serve as mentors for emerging health professionals. Through their attitudes, behaviors, and communication, they influence students’ understanding of professionalism and leadership.

Guiding principles for advisors include:

• Upholding institutional and ESG standards

• Safeguarding chapter archives and history

• Promoting fairness, integrity, and inclusivity

• Supporting student-led decision-making

• Acting as a safety net to prevent chapter setbacks

• Empowering students to lead democratically

Support from Department Leadership

Strong departmental backing is crucial. Without it, advisors may feel overwhelmed or undervalued.

Supportive department chairs can:

• Provide space and resources (meeting rooms, supplies, etc.)

• Recognize sponsor efforts in tenure and promotion

• Adjust workloads or provide release time

• Offer financial support for chapter needs

Support from Faculty

A positive faculty attitude toward ESG fosters student interest and enhances chapter success.

Faculty can contribute by:

• Promoting ESG in the classroom

• Encouraging student submissions to ESG journals

• Attending chapter events and initiations

• Collaborating on service or research projects

• Displaying ESG membership visibly

• Publicly celebrating chapter achievements

• Supporting the sponsor’s efforts

• Recommending project ideas and encouraging student involvement

Tenure and Promotion

Though often unrecognized, being a chapter advisor is a valuable form of service. Institutions should consider this work when evaluating candidates for tenure and promotion. As student engagement becomes a greater institutional priority, the role of chapter advisor deserves formal recognition and appreciation.

To support this, sponsors should:

• Document their time and responsibilities

• Detail chapter accomplishments and student skill development

• Present their role in teaching, service, and research activities

• Include this documentation in their professional portfolio

National ESG will provide advisors a letter of support to include in promotion portfolios; please contact the National Office for this.