Academic Advising

The advisor is the student's principal connection to the academic programs of the College and is the first person to whom the student should turn for advice on academic questions. The primary responsibility of the advisor is to offer appropriate suggestions for a sound and balanced academic program and to guide the student toward meeting the degree requirements. The advisor should also assist the student in defining educational goals; provide direction, criticism, and praise as needed to help the student achieve those goals; and help the student see the relationship between educational goals and longer-range personal and career goals.

Entering first-year students are assigned to a Living Learning Community with a pre-major (first-year) faculty advisors who will assist them in planning their courses of study, counsel them about College regulations and procedures, and provide information about campus resources that support the academic program. Entering transfer students are assigned to advisors in their area of interest who, in addition to general advising, will help students plan their majors. Students are encouraged to consult with other faculty members as they weigh their interests and academic goals. Once a student has selected her major, she will choose a faculty advisor in her major department (see Declaring a Major). Ordinarily, she will have the same major advisor throughout the remainder of her college career, although she may later change her major and/or advisor if such a change better meets her needs. Students may change advisors by submitting a Change of Advisor form, available in the M Center and online.

Students share in the responsibility for ensuring that their academic needs are met. To this end, each student is expected to read the College catalog, keep track of her academic program, and be well prepared with relevant notes, plans, or questions when seeking the help of her advisor.

Student Records on the Web

The Mills Resource Portal, accessed from the Mills website, provides a link to myMILLS where students can confirm their semester attendance, register, and access their general student information, schedule of classes, academic transcript, transfer credit report, grades, student account, financial aid information, and graduation status. Students can also update their mailing and email addresses and other personal information through myMILLS.

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