Students have the opportunity to develop impactful relationships with numerous individuals during their time at MIAD. One of the most important of these relationships is that of the student and their academic advisor. MIAD students have an amazing group of faculty and staff who serve as academic advisors, are committed and care about their students, participate in advising training and development opportunities and are well-versed and knowledgeable regarding campus and community resources. Advisors reach out to their advisees on a regular basis, both in class and in the hallways, not to mention through E-mail and phone correspondence. Advisors also work at least once a semester with each of their advisees to determine a registration plan for the upcoming semesters coursework.
All Foundations students are assigned Foundations advisors for their first year at MIAD. Foundations advisors are faculty and staff that have an interest in working with first year students and also see students on a regular basis in the classroom, residence hall or MIAD events and programs. Students transition to their major faculty advisor, depending on their major, by the beginning of their Sophomore year. Students generally remain with this major advisor for the remainder of their time at MIAD.
One of the best things that you can do to encourage your student in their success at MIAD is to ask them about their relationship and experiences with their academic advisor. Ask your student who their advisor is, what they know about them, and what their meetings have been like. It is also important for students to realize the role that they have in working with their advisor. Scheduling meetings, preparing for meetings, and following up with tasks that are discussed during a meeting are all necessary for students to have a successful and satisfying experience. Below are the tips have shared with students regarding a successful relationship with their academic advisor. Students can access these tips through their Student Advising Moodle course page.
- Contact your advisor at least 1-2 weeks before you would like a scheduled meeting. You want to be respectful of their schedule…they are busy just like you. If your advisor contacts you for a meeting, be sure to respond to them in a timely manner, i.e. within 24-48 hours is best.
- If you need to cancel or reschedule your meeting, be sure to notify your advisor as soon as you can. E-mail them, call them, leave a note on their office door…do all that you can to get a hold of them so that they aren’t waiting for you wondering where you are. They could use that time to meet with another student…be respectful of their time.
- Come prepared with questions for your advisor. Chances are you set up the meeting because you have some questions…write them down so you don’t forget any of them!
- Share exciting events in your life with your advisor. What is going on in your personal life? What is your favorite class right now? What work are you especially proud of? Your advisor wants to know the good things along with the challenges that you may be facing.
- If your meeting is focused on picking your classes for the following semester, come prepared. Be sure you have taken the time to look through the schedule of classes and that you have sample schedules prepared. It is not your advisor’s responsibility to pick out classes for you. Your advisor is there to answer questions, be sure you are on the best path for what you would like to do, and that you fully understand the courses you would like to enroll in. You are ultimately responsible for enrolling in the correct courses to fulfill your Program of Study.
- Attend the meeting with a solution-focused attitude. Your advisor is there to help you think through problems, guide you to resources, and assist in decision-making. The meeting will be much more enjoyable if you are in a mindset that allows for problem solving rather than placing blame or complaining.
- Be sure you come prepared with any follow-up work you may have needed to do. Were you supposed to research a major or career path before your meeting? Were you supposed to follow-up with a tutor, Jennifer Crandall or Sara Thor? Your advisor will work with you but you have to meet them halfway in terms of following through on your responsibilities as a student.
- Have fun! Meetings with your advisor should be fun and informative. Use the time to build your relationship with your advisor as well as get the information and assistance that you need. Your advisor-advisee relationship can develop into a mentorship relationship. Your advisor may also be able to serve as a positive reference for you in your future. You never know when you may need to reach out to them. Don’t burn bridges!
Everything that we do in MIAD Advising is developed and facilitated in the efforts of supporting our vision of guiding students toward self-directed planning of their creative futures. I truly enjoy working with all of the students at MIAD while they are on their journey to be who they are meant become.
Michelle Gross
Director of College Advising