Advising and Counseling

WHAT IS ACADEMIC COUNSELING?
Academic counseling is an ongoing educational process that connects the student to the College.

Academic counseling assists in preparing the student for learning beyond the confines of the classroom. Academic counselors represent and interpret policies and procedures to the student and help the student navigate the academic and organizational paths of the institution.

GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS
Academic counseling plays a vital role in the educational experience.  Academic counseling prepares student for life beyond college.

Ideally, academic counseling:

• Engages students
• Builds students rapport
• Helps students fulfill major requirements
• Assures graduation in a timely fashion
• Stimulates exploration outside of the students' major disciplines
• Encourages intellectual connections across disciplines
• Helps set goals and strategies to achieve them during and after college
• Prepares students for university study and/or employment

WHAT DOES AN ACADEMIC COUNSELOR DO?
An academic counselor is a professional who provides advice and assistance to students regarding academic matters.  Counselors are available for everything from helping students develop a course schedule that will allow them to meet degree requirements to connecting students with disability services so they can get the accommodations they need. 
The counselor is familiar with college’s policies, including the requirements for graduation and the prerequisites for various programs. Additionally, knowledge of legal matters like accommodations for disabled students.  Community college, counselors know about the requirements for transfer so they can assist students who are preparing to apply to four year institutions.

When a student approaches an academic counselor for assistance, the counselor can pull up the student's records and use them as a reference during counseling sessions. The student is asked about the needs that brought her to the counselor's office and the counselor will work with the student on a strategy. For a student who is having trouble in school, for example, this might include tutoring, taking advantage of the resource lab, or encouraging a student to meet with instructors during office hours.  The counselor is an advocate who is interested in the student’s development an overall academic success.