Academic Advising at SMC
Academic Advising at SMC Academic Advising at SMC is about a relationship between you and a faculty or staff member. Your academic advisor is a skilled professional who will help you make decisions about your academic pursuits while you are at SMC and as you prepare to graduate. Your academic advisor is more than just a person who schedules your classes. He or she is someone you can trust to help you plan your future, cope with the demands of college life, and take on more responsibility for decisions. In some cases, the choice of academic advisor is based on the area of interest you indicated on your application. Your first meeting with your academic advisor will be during orientation—this meeting will be a “get acquainted” session. Your academic advisor will ask you questions about your goals, interests, strengths, likes, dislikes, and so on. You will complete a degree planner. Your degree planner is a map showing where you are and how to get to where you want to go. By carefully following your plan, you will reach your destination. During your first advising session, you and your academic advisor will work together to develop a course schedule for your first semester at SMC. We want you to have a great experience at the College. Starting a positive relationship with a caring, dependable academic advisor is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your success as you earn your degree. After the initial meeting, you will have contact with your academic advisor at specific times:
Prior to the end of each semester, to sign-up for the next semester’s classes
Just before graduation, to make sure “all bases are covered”
Of course, you are welcome to drop by just to say “hello” whenever you like. You can trust that conversations between you and your academic advisor are confidential.
Your Responsibilities:
We want and expect you to assume responsibility for:
using the College catalog and other official documents for planning
bringing requested information to your advisor in a timely manner
being on time for scheduled advisement appointments
discussing your concerns with your advisor
following the college’s procedures for registration, validation, dropping a course or withdrawing and adhering to established deadlines
working toward degree completion and informing your advisor of any changes in your plans
seeking information from potential transfer colleges and universities about their degree requirements, application processes and deadlines
following up on any referrals your advisor suggests
The Academic Advisor’s Responsibilities: Your academic advisor is committed to helping you succeed. You should expect your advisor to be responsible for:
being familiar with the SMC Catalog, advising handbook and the college’s policies and procedures
helping you make the best use of your strengths and helping you make realistic decisions that enable you to reach your goals
assisting you in deciding which classes to take
helping you to overcome obstacles to your success
encouraging you to take responsibility for decisions about long-range and shortterm goals
respecting your confidentiality
maintaining accurate advising records
If you do your part, your academic advisor is ready to “go the extra mile” to make your SMC experience a positive one. Your advising program is here to help you succeed. We want to help you achieve all of your goals. Welcome to the SMC family. We will strive to make your time with us the best time of your life. Thank you for choosing SMC. If you would like more information about Academic Advising at SMC, contact Dr. Kris Pratt, Director of Academic Advising at [email protected].
Prior to the end of each semester, to sign-up for the next semester’s classes
Just before graduation, to make sure “all bases are covered”
Of course, you are welcome to drop by just to say “hello” whenever you like. You can trust that conversations between you and your academic advisor are confidential.
Your Responsibilities:
We want and expect you to assume responsibility for:
using the College catalog and other official documents for planning
bringing requested information to your advisor in a timely manner
being on time for scheduled advisement appointments
discussing your concerns with your advisor
following the college’s procedures for registration, validation, dropping a course or withdrawing and adhering to established deadlines
working toward degree completion and informing your advisor of any changes in your plans
seeking information from potential transfer colleges and universities about their degree requirements, application processes and deadlines
following up on any referrals your advisor suggests
The Academic Advisor’s Responsibilities: Your academic advisor is committed to helping you succeed. You should expect your advisor to be responsible for:
being familiar with the SMC Catalog, advising handbook and the college’s policies and procedures
helping you make the best use of your strengths and helping you make realistic decisions that enable you to reach your goals
assisting you in deciding which classes to take
helping you to overcome obstacles to your success
encouraging you to take responsibility for decisions about long-range and shortterm goals
respecting your confidentiality
maintaining accurate advising records
If you do your part, your academic advisor is ready to “go the extra mile” to make your SMC experience a positive one. Your advising program is here to help you succeed. We want to help you achieve all of your goals. Welcome to the SMC family. We will strive to make your time with us the best time of your life. Thank you for choosing SMC. If you would like more information about Academic Advising at SMC, contact Dr. Kris Pratt, Director of Academic Advising at [email protected].
