Academic Advising and Transfer Transition

• Assistance with course selection, the preregistration process, and other academic concerns.
• Advice regarding academic progress, degree completion, and graduation requirements.
• Assistance for students who have not declared a major with the process of exploring possible academic majors.
• Serve as the additional professional advisor for first year and sophomore students, complementing their major advisor and providing ongoing academic support from the start of their first semester.
• Opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations about educational and career goals.
• Provide guidance to students seeking to improve their academic performance.
• Assistance with exploring academic success strategies and providing referrals to other student support services.
• Planning for alternate credit-earning opportunities, such as internships or the CLEP exam.
• Access to Professional Advisors who serve as a link to various academic departments and campus offices, such as the Registrar or the Office of Financial Aid.

In addition to the faculty advisor in their major, all new first-year students will be assigned to a professional advisor in the Advising Center. This professional advisor will track their progress through the end of the second year. The professional advisor can help the student identify their strengths and areas for growth. Professional advisors will provide additional accountability and support during this period of transition, help students overcome challenges, and keep students motivated to develop strategies for academic success.

First-Year Student Advising

The Transfer Student Success Program aims to support transfer students by providing resources, guidance, and pathways to ensure a smooth and successful transition to WSU. The purpose is to minimize the transfer shock that occurs when transfer students enter a four-year institution from a two-year college to improve transfer student retention and graduation rates. New transfer students will be paired with peer mentors who have successfully navigated the transfer process and can provide valuable guidance and support. Transfer students will also have a professional academic advisor to help navigate the challenges of transferring. Partnerships with local community colleges will help us to establish clear pathways before students officially transfer to help with academic planning and ensure they are meeting necessary academic requirements.

Transfer Student Advising

The Pathfinder Program for Exploratory Students is designed to provide students who matriculate undeclared with a comprehensive and dynamic career exploration experience. The goal is to have every student declared in a major within three semesters. Through a blend of job shadowing, field trips, workshops, career counseling, and networking events, the program offers students direct exposure to a range of industries and professions. Field trips will play a key role, allowing students to observe professional environments firsthand, interact with industry experts, and understand the real-world demands of various careers. These immersive learning experiences will equip students with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their academic and career trajectories. Ultimately, this initiative aims to increase student confidence, engagement, and satisfaction by helping them explore their interests more deeply and guiding them toward fulfilling career paths.

Exploratory Student Advising