Advising for Faculty

UNCSA helps students successfully identify and achieve their unique artistic, educational and professional goals through a partnership between the student, advisor(s), and mentor(s). The advisor has responsibilities as does the student.

Definition of Terms and Clarification of Roles
Division of Liberal Arts (DLA) Advisor. One who assists students with their General Education (Gen Ed) course preparation towards timely graduation.

Arts Advisor. One who assists students with their career preparation, which may include guiding the students with their particular arts curriculum.

Mentor. One who guides students in the area of their professional life. 

Advising Point Person (APP). One who oversees a particular school’s advising component in collaboration with Arts Advisors, DLA Advisors, and Mentors.

Students are assigned an advisor in the Division of Liberal Arts (DLA) who will guide them in their first few semesters of registration, in collaboration with an Arts Advisor in their respective school. After that time, the Advising Point Person (APP) in DLA will take over the advising duties for upperclassmen. Some schools may only use one person (APP) to oversee all arts courses, while other schools assign an Arts Advisor in a particular discipline. There will be close communication between the student, the Arts Advisor and/or APP and the DLA Advisor. Each school has a system of advising adapted in such a way that it will aid the student in achieving success in their course of study. The APPs for each school are:

• Dance: Brenda Daniels
• Design and Production: Currently unavailable
• Division of Liberal Arts: Dr. Rachel Williams
• Drama: Janine Hawley
• Film: Renata Jackson
• Music: David Winkelman

Advisor Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely information about degree and career-related requirements.
• Be available during publicized office hours or by appointment.
• Respond to students’ inquiries within 2 business days.
• Empower each student to make independent and informed decisions.
• Be knowledgeable about policies and procedures.
• Make appropriate referrals.
• Encourage active engagement in the curriculum-based advising process.
• Advise from an integrated perspective of DLA with the arts school.
• Ensure smooth transition for students declaring and changing disciplines.
• Keep accurate and up-to-date advising records including notes from each meeting.
• Be resourceful, utilizing web-based resources, advising tools and professional development opportunities.

Students responsibilities are listed in the Current Student section of the website.