College of Arts and Sciences
Advising
Advising is a partnership. From your first semester to graduation, you’ll work with a dedicated advisor who helps you build a personalized academic path aligned with your goals.
In the College of Arts and Sciences, advising is a partnership.
From your first semester to graduation, you’ll work with an advisor who helps you turn questions into plans and possibilities into progress. Whether you arrive with a clear direction or you’re still exploring, we’re here to help you craft a personalized academic path that reflects your strengths, your interests, and your ambitions.
With our professional advisors, you’ll never navigate your journey alone.
Our team helps you:
- Explore majors and connect ideas across disciplines
- Build a roadmap that keeps you on track and on time
- Identify research, internship, and experiential opportunities
- Prepare for what comes next—whether that’s graduate school or a career that moves the needle
We are the college where two students can be pursuing the same major and have different experiences based on how they decide to fulfill requirements. Working with students on an individual level is one of the things that I love about what we do.”
Shanna Pendergrast
Director of Advising Services
College of Arts and Sciences
Your advising journey starts here.
Our advising team encourages you to look toward the future, helping you before your first semester, during your first year, and as you progress.
That’s fingerprint education—no two students take exactly the same path. Your coursework, experiences, and mentorships combine to create something uniquely yours.
Before Your First Semester
Before you enroll, you’ll meet one-on-one with an academic advisor to begin mapping your path. The goal of the meeting is to help you understand your degree requirements and build a first-semester schedule that keeps you on track toward your academic and career goals.
This conversation helps you:
- Select courses that align with your goals
- Understand degree requirements
- Begin exploring majors and interests
- Build a strong start for your first year
Your college experience begins with a plan—and a partner.
During Your First Year
Your first year is about building momentum.
You’ll continue meeting with your advisor as you:
- Explore academic interests
- Learn how to use university academic planning tools and resources
- Complete Vol Core requirements
- Consider major options or confirm your direction
- Connect to campus resources and opportunities
Advising during this stage helps you move from possibility to clarity.
As You Progress
As you advance in your major, advising becomes more focused and forward-looking.
You’ll work with your advisor to:
- Stay on track for graduation
- Adjust plans if goals change
- Prepare for internships, research, or experiential learning
- Map next steps for graduate school or career paths
No matter where you are in your journey, advising evolves with you.
Not sure about your major?
Not knowing exactly what you want to study doesn’t mean you don’t know where you’re going. Many students begin in an exploratory space—and that’s a powerful place to start. Advising in the college helps you test ideas, ask better questions, and discover where your curiosity meets impact.
While completing your Vol Core courses, you’ll begin building a foundation that’s both broad and purposeful—one that helps you stand out rather than simply fit in.
Want to make the most of Advising?
Advising works best as a conversation. Together, you and your advisor will define your next steps and build a plan that supports your growth. Before your appointment, take a few moments to reflect:
- What courses are you enjoying most?
- What questions or challenges do you have?
- What goals are starting to take shape?
Meet Your Advising Team
Behind every advising appointment is a team of dedicated professionals committed to your success. Our advisors work with students across majors and academic stages, helping you navigate decisions with clarity and confidence.
You’ll meet with someone who understands the College of Arts and Sciences—and who takes the time to understand you.
