Academic Advising Syllabus
Advisor: Mary Page (16 weks)
Advising Center Location: Stafford Center – Room 108
Phone: 713-718-8071
E-Mail: mary.page@hccs.edu
To schedule an appointment send an email to the above address
Text/Materials:
HCC Catalogue
Student Handbook
Web Resources: Ask HCC, FATV(financial aid), and www.hccs.edu
HCC Mission for Academic Advising
The mission of academic advising at Houston Community College is to further teaching and learning by
engaging students in a collaborative process of developing an educational plan to achieve academic,
personal, and professional goals, while considering diverse interests, skills, and abilities.
Definition and Philosophy
Academic advising is an educational process whereby a student, in collaboration with an advisor,
develops a meaningful educational plan outlining the steps necessary for achieving the students’
academic and career goals, learns how to access the variety of resources and services available at HCC,
and acquires the skills needed for interpreting curricula, policies and procedures.
The Advisor and the student assume a shared responsibility in the advising relationship. Their
interactions are intentional and the partnership is nurtured throughout the student’s matriculation at
HCC to graduation.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Students will demonstrate the ability to make effective decisions concerning their degree and
career goals.
Students will develop an educational plan for successfully achieving their goals which includes
learning how to read their Interactive Advising Report (iAAR) in their student account and
completing the student planner by selecting courses for every term leading up to graduation.
Students will become familiar with and utilize the information and functions within their student
account.
Students will become familiar with policies and procedures by accessing the catalog, student
handbook, and web resources.
Students will become familiar and utilize campus resources and services to assist them in
achieving their academic, personal, and career goals.
Advisor Responsibilities – What You Can Expect
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Understand and effectively communicate the curriculum, graduation requirements, and
university and college policies and procedures
Encourage and guide students to develop realistic academic and career goals
Support students to gain the skills necessary to develop clear and attainable educational plans
Educate students on strategies for utilizing available resources and services on campus
Assist in understanding the benefits of higher education and its impact on lives
Monitor and accurately document students’ progress toward meeting their goals.
Be accessible during office hours by appointment, telephone or e-mail.
Assist students to develop decision making skills and assume responsibility for actions.
Maintain confidentiality pursuant to FERPA.
Advisee Responsibilities – What You Are Expected To Do
 Schedule regular advising appointments and come prepared with questions.
 Be an active learner by participating fully in the advising experience.
 Ask questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern.
 Organize official documents and keep a record of your progress.
 Follow through on all assignments and referrals.
 Clarify personal values and goals.
 Become knowledgeable about college programs, policies, procedures, and campus resources.
 Accept responsibility for decisions.
Advising Assignment Calendar
(Regular 16 week session – Spring 2013)
Date
January
(First two weeks
of Class)
February –
Mid-March
Mid-March –
April
Activities
 Complete the New Student Questionnaire which can be accessed on your student account. You
will need to have completed this prior to your first advisement visit.
 Complete career exploration (TypeFocus).
 Complete LASSI
 Schedule your first advising session with your assigned advisor. Name and contact information
of advisor is available on your student account. Go ahead and schedule your second
appointment at this time as well.
 Attend your first advising session.
 Review student account for “to do list” items (check at least once a week).
 Confirm that the program/major in your academic advisement report (iAAR) is correct. If not,
initiate request for change in program plan with advisor.
 Complete Planner by selecting courses for each term leading up to graduation.
 Advisor will submit update to instructor on student status for attendance of first advising session
and completion of new student questionnaire.
 Attend your second advising session. Remember that you must attend the second advising
session to have the hold lifted in order for you to register for the next term.
Important Enrollment Related Activities
(Regular 16 week session – Spring 2013)
Date
January First Week
of Class
February
April
May
Second Half of
May –
Beginning of
Next Term
Activities
 Confirm that payment for your course registration is complete. View your student account to
make sure that your financial aid process is complete.
 Books should have already been purchased.
 Students needing special accommodations should provide faculty with accommodations form
provided by Disability Services.
 Review the academic calendar for important dates and incorporate those that apply on your
calendar (i.e. refund schedule, last day to withdraw, registration for next term, etc.).
 Develop a weekly time management schedule and plug in the time needed to attend class,
study, work, recreation, family, church, etc.)
 Access your HCC email account and if needed, change preferred email address in student
account. Check email at least weekly. All formal communication will be sent to your email
address on-file.
 Attend club rush and learn about various ways to get involved on campus through student
clubs, organizations, and recreational sports.
 Become familiar with catalog, student handbook, and web resources.
 Register for classes for the next term. Make sure you have selected the correct location, dates,
and times.
 Verify that the contact information in your student account is accurate.
 Prepare for finals.
 Review course grades and semester grade point average (GPA) in student account. If GPA is
less than a 2.0, consult with your advisor immediately.
 Make sure payment arrangements for the upcoming term classes have been arranged.
 Review schedule prior to the beginning of the next term.
 Review the academic calendar for important dates and incorporate those that apply on your
calendar (i.e. refund schedule, last day to withdraw, registration for next term, etc.).
 Purchase books before classes begin.
 Develop a weekly time management schedule and plug in the time needed to attend class,
study, work, recreation, family, church, etc.)