How do I get an academic advisor?
The instructor of your Integrative Liberal Studies Introductory Colloquium (LSIC) course will serve as your academic advisor until you officially declare your major. The LSIC instructors are trained to advise students in all majors, so don't worry if your LSIC is not in a subject that you think you will major in.
After your first semester, you may add an advisor from the major you're interested in, but your LSIC instructor will remain your primary advisor until you have officially declared your major.
What if I'm not taking an LSIC in my first semester?
From the UNC Asheville
Catalog: "Students must
successfully complete the Liberal Studies Introductory Colloquium,
LS 179 or 379 within their first two semesters at UNC Asheville.
Students who fail to successfully complete the course in their first
semester will be limited to 14 or fewer credit hours, which must
include the LSIC, in their second semester. Students who do not
successfully complete the LSIC requirement in their first two
semesters of enrollment will not be allowed to continue in a
full-time status at the University until this requirement has been
satisfied. If the LSIC requirement is not satisfied in the first two
semesters of enrollment, the student will be allowed to register
only for the LSIC course until the requirement is successfully
completed. All other courses for which the student has registered
will be administratively dropped. Less than full-time status may
impact the student’s eligibility for financial aid, housing,
veteran’s benefits, intercollegiate athletics, and progress toward
graduation."
If you are not taking
an LSIC course in your first semester, please come by the Advising &
Learning Support Center to request an advisor.
How do I change my academic advisor?
You can change your advisor at any time, after your first semester, based on your personal and academic needs. You can also have multiple advisors for multiple academic interests (for instance, if you are majoring in Management but also interest in Education, you can have an advisor from each discipline). If you have not officially declared your major, you can add an advisor by completing the Advisor Change Form and turning it into the Advising & Learning Support Center. Once you have declared your major, you can change your major advisor by taking the Major Declaration form to the chair of your major department and having them assign you a new advisor. You can use this same process to change your minor advisor if you have declared a minor.
What is advising all about?
Most people think advising is just about classes, but that's not true. Sure, meeting with your advisor gives you a chance to talk about majors, minors, classes, and graduation, but you should also discuss other questions, concerns, or ideas you have about your time at UNC Asheville with your advisor. Have you thought about undergraduate research? Your advisor can help you find someone to guide and mentor you through your project. Are you considering an internship? Your advisor may know someone in your area of interest who can help you set up an on- or off-campus experience. What about that trouble you're having with study skills or time management? Your advisor is someone who has worked on these skills throughout their time in academia, and they will have plenty of good advice for you.
Take advantage of the advising process--it is a chance to get to know a faculty member in a different, unique, and meaningful way!