Challenge & Support (Sanford)

This foundational theory will certainly inform the way academic advisors can achieve this balance with developmental advising. “Challenges occur in situations for which [a student] does not have the skills, knowledge, or attitude to cope (for example academic, social, psychological). Supports are buffers in the environment that help the student meet challenges to be successful. (Sanford, 1967) Keeping the theory in mind that these challenges are a necessary and usually unavoidable part of the college experience, student affairs professionals should not seek to eliminate them, but to support students through these challenges.