The academic advising program in the College of Arts and Sciences helps student envision not only what they hope to accomplish in their lives, but who they will be. With its commitment to strong student-faculty relationships, the program encourages students to discover for themselves connections between their classroom learning and the world they will help to shape. The associate dean oversees the program and is the initial point of contact for all students.

In the academic advising process, students and faculty members meet to clarify objectives, explore new directions, and begin to plan a strategy that will direct the course of the student's education. Advisers teach students how to ask themselves useful questions as they work to define goals and take on challenges. As a result of the individualized guidance they receive in the College of Arts and Sciences, students come to understand the relationship between a particular discipline and a profession, and how an arts and sciences major offers excellent preparation for a range of satisfying careers.

Upon entrance to the College of Arts and Sciences, each student works with one member of the faculty to select course work in accordance with the student's interests and the school's requirements. Students with declared majors are placed with a faculty adviser in that department. Undeclared students are part of the Academic Pathfinders Program, which places them with advisers trained to guide first- and second-year undergraduates through the exploratory process.

Although the primary responsibility for completion of degree requirements rests with the student, the adviser maintains a file or program plan for the student and aids in proper course selection. Students are not permitted to register for courses without the approval of their advisers. The academic adviser's main objective is to foster an ongoing conversation that encourages self-reflection and development while keeping students informed of requirements and deadlines.

Good faculty-student mentoring relationships evolve with a student's growth and progress, and they often continue beyond a student's years at Quinnipiac.

"Advisers at Quinnipiac focus not only on academics, but also look at the person behind the student. They care about your interests and offer ways to include those interests in your academic life." - Alex Munoz '09 (history major)