Academic Advising at NEC
Roles & Responsibilities of Advisors, Students, and the
Advising Center
Introduction to Advising at NEC
New England College uses a shared organizational model of advising. All
first-time NEC students (including transfer students) are counseled by
the Advising Office, which is located in the Pathways Center. Students’
initial contact is with advising personnel who help them choose their
classes and acquaint them with basic academic information. Students are
also assigned a faculty advisor at the time of registration. When
possible, this is a faculty member they are taking a class with, and is
in their major. Advisors are full-time faculty who have generally been
at the College for a minimum of one year. The advising ratio (student
to advisor) varies between majors.
Advisors have their first
official meeting with their advisees at the new student orientation.
Throughout the first year advisors are in contact with their advisees
and share key dates and tasks that need to be met. Students can change
advisors at any time throughout their academic career, and are strongly
encouraged to select an advisor in their major. The advising
relationship continues throughout the students’ academic career, and
even beyond graduation.
Students are encouraged to seek out their
faculty advisor for their primary advising relationship, but they can
also consult with the Advising staff in Pathways for answers to
questions, and some short-term problem-solving when their advisor is not
available. The advising services at Pathways are available to all
students at New England College.
