UW-Stevens Point advising uses a student-centered approach
An expanded approach for helping students chart their path toward graduation and career success at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is providing student-centered advising where and when it is needed.
Five new Academic and Career Advising Centers are located in Albertson Hall (library) and in each of the four academic college buildings across campus. Twelve advising positions are funded through differential tuition.
"Advisers are meeting students where they are," said Sue Kissinger, interim director of the center in the library. Initial advising begins with professional staff at new students' first summer orientation session and continues through the college-based centers for their first three semesters. After that, students are advised by faculty members in their area of study.
"This model establishes professional, full-time staff dedicated to advising. It is also more centralized and more consistent," she said. "Students will know where to go and have more direct access."
All of the new advisers took part in the summer orientation session for new students and had training sessions in August to acclimate them to the variety of campus services their advisees may need.
The center in the library is the result of merging Career Services and Student Academic Advising Center offices, formerly in the Student Services Center. Advising staff at this location guide undecided students, lead career assessments and a variety of workshops and manage job postings.
The academic building-based centers are staffed by advisers who work with students in specific majors and minors within a college. For instance, Brianna Burke, one of six advisers for the College of Letters and Science in the Collins Classroom Center, works with students in chemistry, mathematics, physics, pre-engineering, natural science and psychology.
"We work closely with the academic departments and have learned the requirements for our majors," Burke said. "We do both academic and career advising and help our students find a career path through suitable courses."
The College of Fine Arts and Communication has two advisers in the Noel Fine Arts Center, the College of Professional Studies building houses seven advisers and the College of Natural Resources serves students with three advisers in the Trainer Natural Resources Building.
Many of the advisees are first-semester students, so advisers help them map out their four years at UW-Stevens Point to plan for experiences such as internships and studying abroad. They also help transfer students and those who have changed their major stay on track.
"We want them to have as many experiences as possible before entering the workforce," Burke said.
Working inside the academic buildings has its advantages, she said.
"I enjoy being where my advisees are," Burke said. "I see them in the hallways between classes, and I can ask them how they did on their math test and talk to them about their day. That really helps us build a connection with students."
The Academic and Career Advising Centers will hold an open house at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in Room 320 of Albertson Hall. Chancellor Bernie Patterson will officiate a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by tours of all five centers.
Skip to main content
