NACADA Journal Volume 28 (1) Spring 2008 3 [Dr. Sharon Fries-Britt was a keynote speaker at the 2007 NACADA Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 18–21.] Advising Though a Wave of Change Sharon Fries-Britt, University of Maryland serve in these educational contexts clearly have an opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of students as well as professional col- leagues. Our moments of interaction with each other bring significant opportunities and responsi- bilities. However, if we think we are the most important person, we miss significant opportunities to learn and grow. As advisors, we have a wonder- ful opportunity to benefit from reciprocal rela- tionships if we are open to the value of all people. I want to offer a few perspectives and insights that push you to think broadly about your role as an advisor. I want you to think about the broader con- ditions that have an impact on you and your stu- dents. I am moved in this direction because I was struck by two words in your conference theme: navigators and beyond. I see both of these as very powerful words with enormous potential. To prepare students for the “beyond” is challenging because it also means that we must stay current and cutting edge not only in our fields of study but as citizens of an increasingly global world! The landscape that we operate in has changed dramatically and it will continue to do so. In the field of oceanography there is a supersti- tion that every now and then a significant wave comes along like no other. It is referred to as “the ninth wave.” It is believed that there is no force greater than the ninth wave. This ninth wave occurs when the power of the sea and the wind work together to create an incredible force. To catch the ninth wave at the right time requires a special skill of timing. Those who navigate the sea know that once you experience the ninth wave you under- stand the real power of the sea. In higher education we see a powerful wave of change that is shaping the entire landscape. It will have an impact on who gets access to college, how we teach, how students learn, what advice we give students, and who will be retained and ultimately employed in our society. I address four key areas that I think will influ- ence the work we do in higher education to help stu- dents navigate their collegiate experiences and beyond. First, I look at several of the trends shap- ing higher education. Second, I examine briefly I was delighted to be invited as a keynote speaker for the 2007 NACADA conference in Baltimore Maryland. The conference theme, Advisors as Navigators: From Orientation to Graduation and Beyond, was very inspiring. I was stimulated by the deep commitment conveyed by it and I found myself delighted with the task of preparing my speech. I recap the themes and issues (and some stories) that I shared during my conference speech and the follow-up session. Because I rarely use a com- pletely written text, I am somewhat disadvantaged in trying to recapture the speech verbatim. Nevertheless, I offer my observations in hopes that advisors will continue to find them useful in enhanc- ing their lives and those of others in 2008. As I studied the NACADA membership, I was delighted to see the strong mix of expertise in the membership. There are a lot of very smart and important people in your organization. Any time I speak before an audience of very smart people I am reminded of one of my favorite stories about a priest, a boy scout, and a college professor: They were the only passengers on a small plane. The pilot came back to the cabin and said that the plane was going down, but there were only three parachutes and four people. The pilot added, “I should have one of the parachutes because I have a wife and three small children.” So he took one and jumped. The college professor said, “I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and I serve as an ADVISOR to presidents and kings.” So he took another parachute and jumped. The priest turned to the boy scout and said for- lornly, “You are young and I am old. I have lived a rich life. You take the remaining parachute, and I’ll go down with the plane.” The boy scout smiled back and said, “Relax, Father, the smartest man in the world—the college professor and advisor to presidents and kings—just jumped out with my backpack.” In higher education we have the privilege of working within a talented community, a community with a lot of capable individuals. Those of us who