The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about life goals and educational plans rests with the student. The academic advisor helps to identify and assess alternatives and consequences.

The academic advisor also serves as a resource for accurate information. The advisor is knowledgeable about institutional policies, procedures, programs and resources and assists students in making use of printed materials.

Advisors are in a position to help students identify their learning-related needs. Feedback received from advisors could be beneficial and should be used in policy making decisions at all levels of the institutional administration.

With the help of an academic advisor, students will:

• gain an understanding of their academic abilities and interests
• be reinforced in their successes
• be provided information regarding the nature and purpose of higher education
• be referred to counselors and other resources to explore their interests, skills abilities, and values
• define and refine educational goals and objectives and understand the consequences of alternative courses of action
• consider alternative careers through counselors, workshops, seminars, and other resources
• make course, certificate, and/or degree selections
• understand and utilize placement test results
• be encouraged to be active participants in their educational planning and college life.
• be informed of support services that are available and how to make an appointment, if appropriate
• be aware of transfer articulation arrangements
• be informed about research results and general perceptions of student experiences at theinstitution
• receive accurate printed materials on academic majors, minors,and other degree and program requirements