The Honors Program provides an extensive system of academic advising. Each student is assigned an Honors faculty or staff academic advisor who is officially responsible for oversight of the student’s course enrollment. Students and their academic advisors work together to plan students’ courses of study, but ultimately it is the student's responsibility to know and complete the requirements for graduation.
Upon entry to the University, students enrolled in pre-professional programs and those who have not yet declared a major are assigned to an Honors advisor from the Academic Center for Entering Students (ACES). Students who have declared majors are assigned by the Honors Program to a faculty Honors Advisor. Each undergraduate major has one or more faculty members designated as Honors Advisors. The advisor raises the “PeopleSoft bar,” helps students select courses, provides major-related advice, signs all forms (e.g., course conversions, junior/senior plans of study, etc.), and reviews and provides departmental approval for the Honors Thesis.
The faculty advisor also provides a personal contact in the major department to help the student in securing research and internship opportunities, consults with the student about career or graduate school plans, and assists the student in establishing professional connections for future work or study.
Incoming students should plan to meet with their Honors Advisor early in the first semester and then prior to each registration period to plan a schedule (including Honors classes) for the upcoming semester. Students should prepare in advance for meetings with Honors Advisors by determining their objectives for the meeting, doing necessary research, and coming to the meeting with questions.
Honors students also have the opportunity to develop advising relationships with other faculty members who mentor them on research or creative projects and on the Honors Thesis. In addition, the Honors Program staff is eager to assist students; they can provide help on a walk-in or appointment basis.
