The role of academic advising at Hendrix
Academic advising is an integral part of the broader academic program and goals of the College. The aim of the advising program is to facilitate student academic success by providing appropriate advice and assistance throughout each student’s Hendrix career.
The Hendrix advising system
Each Hendrix student has a faculty advisor who serves as a central academic resource and mentor to the student. All Hendrix academic advisors are full-time faculty members, serving as advisors as a part of their teaching responsibilities at the College.
At Hendrix, Academic Advising is a partnership between the faculty advisor and student advisee, grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to student growth and success. This relationship respects the autonomy and intellect of each student and acknowledges the broader developmental and educational
contexts within which academic advising occurs.
The work of advisors and advisees
On a basic level, advisors assist advisees in developing their understanding of the academic curriculum, degree requirements, and expectations of the College. They provide their advisees with relevant information concerning Hendrix academic policies and procedures. Advisors help advisees become familiar with the opportunities,
assistance, resources, and programs available to Hendrix students, and encourage their engagement in Hendrix academic and community life.
More broadly, advisors facilitate and support their advisees in their ongoing developmental process of identifying, clarifying, and evolving their individual academic, professional, and life goals and values. More specifically, advisors assist their advisees in developing a course of study in the liberal arts and sciences
that is consonant with these goals and values, including the selection of an academic major consistent with their interests and abilities.
Though advisors and advisees work together in all areas related to academic planning, final academic decision-making responsibilities, including the responsibility for meeting each of the graduation requirements of the College, rest ultimately with
the student. Primary responsibility for timely, effective use of the academic advising system also remains with the individual student.
Resources
The primary advising tools for advising can be found on the web.
- The
Hendrix Catalog contains the official rules for the College. An overview of the Academic Program requirements can be found
here with further links to the details.
- The Hendrix Catalog describes the
programs of study offered at Hendrix.
- Course Planning pages are associated with every major. These deliver advice to help new students think about where to start in each discipline as well as some suggestions on course sequencing of the programs of study.
- Students needing on-campus academic support services should start
here.
Selection and assignment of advisors
Academic advisors are assigned initially through the Council of New Student Advisors (CNSA), a group of faculty selected and trained specifically to work with new students at the College. Each CNSA faculty member has an Academic Peer Mentor, an upperclass
student who serves as an academic support and peer resource for that CNSA member’s new student advisees.
Though students may change their advisor at any time after their initial course registration (forms to change advisors or declare majors are available through the Registrar's Office:
here), most new students remain with their CNSA advisor at least through their first year of study. Typically during the second year, students will have identified and confirmed a major through course work. Students may select their own faculty advisor within their major department or consult with the Department Chair for suggestions. All students must declare a major by March 1 of their sophomore year. Juniors and senior students are advised by a faculty
member in their major department.
In closing
Advisees and advisors view their work together within the context of a mutual commitment to student development and success at Hendrix and beyond. Advisees are expected to be self-directed, progressively autonomous, and committed to their academic
and individual growth and success at Hendrix. Advisors share these expectations and commitments with their advisees, making their expertise and support available, as appropriate, to facilitate this student development and success. Advisors and advisees are encouraged to visit regularly on all matters of academic interest or
concern.
Questions and other inquiries concerning the academic advising program may be directed to the office of the
Director of Advising.