Who gets an academic advisor?
Undergraduate, degree-seeking students at UNC Asheville are required to see their academic advisor at least once a semester, and are strongly encouraged to stay in regular contact with them throughout the year. Advisors guide students through course scheduling, major/minor selection, career and graduate school planning, and personal and academic difficulties.
Students seeking a second degree, teacher licensure or certificate of major from UNC Asheville are also required to have an academic advisor.
Graduate students are assigned an advisor through Master's of Liberal Arts program.
Dual enrollment, visiting, and non-degree seeking students are not required to have academic advisors, but we strongly recommend that they develop a relationship with a faculty or staff member whom they can go to with questions or concerns.
What is academic advising all about?
Most people think advising is just about classes, but that's not true. Meeting with their advisor gives students a chance to talk about majors, minors, classes, and graduation, but they should also discuss other questions, concerns, or ideas they have about their time at UNC Asheville with their advisor. Are they thinking about undergraduate research? As an advisor, you can help them find someone to guide and mentor them through their project. Is your advisee considering an internship? You may know someone in their area of interest who can help them set up an on- or off-campus experience. What about that trouble they're having with study skills or time management? You are someone who has worked on these skills throughout your time in academia, and you will have plenty of good advice for them.
Take advantage of the advising process--it is a chance to get to know a student in a different, unique, and meaningful way!
What should I do if I have concerns about a student?
Advisors at UNC Asheville often interact with their students on a personal level. It is the closeness of faculty/student relationships that give UNC Asheville the opportunity to reach out and help students in need in ways not always available at larger schools. If you have concerns about a student, please don't hesitate to contact Advising & Learning Support, the Dean of Students, or the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
Students don't need to be in crisis before you let another UNC Asheville representative know of your concern. We can help students who are having difficulty with their roommates, having trouble balancing school and work, or those that are having trouble adjusting to UNC Asheville, in addition to those struggling with more serious issues of alcohol, drugs, abuse, or self-image.