Student Advising: Something For Everyone

Raymond Kwong benefitted from his experiences as a faculty advisee and student peer adviser. He is currently conducting research in plant biologist John Harada's laboratory that he began as an undergraduate, and plans to enter graduate school in the fall.

"The advising I received was part of my decision to major in plant biology," says Kwong. "My faculty adviser was very responsive. He could answer all my questions about career opportunities in the field."

Kwong completed his degree in plant biology this December and is currently applying to graduate school in the same discipline. He hopes one day to be a professor.

"Often advice from a faculty member can make a huge difference," says Nancy Grunwald, a student affairs officer in the division who advises students in the biological sciences major and those who have not yet declared a major. "The combination of faculty and staff advising is very complementary."

Associate Dean Tom Rost, who oversees the administration of undergraduate programs for the division, says Grunwald is part of a tiered advising system that includes several levels of advising.

"Each student is assigned a faculty adviser in his or her major," he explains. "Faculty advisers can motivate students, talk about careers, and help students make connections with other scientists. Faculty members also serve as master advisers for the majors. The master adviser makes sure each student in the major has a faculty adviser, and advises students about the major's requirements. They're sort of the glue for advising in the major."

Next, says Rost, is the division's staff of highly-trained professional advisers, located in the dean's office and the sections. "They know the most about the rules and regulations of a degree program, and they're very well informed about other resources on campus. They can really help in making good decisions."

"We also have peer advisers in every section who hold office hours," adds Rost. "Students can drop by and talk to another student about courses, or whatever else is on their mind."

Kwong himself served as a peer adviser for the plant biology major during the 1996-1997 academic year. "I think peer advising plays a very important role," he says. "Peer advisers have taken many of the courses, so they can give you their perspective about them. They can tell you whether or not a course fits well with your goals. It's a nice way to learn from others."

A strength of the tiered system, says Rost, is that each level offers something different for students.

"Student expectations of advising vary as much as the students themselves."

Grunwald thinks that students who feel they have not yet connected with an adviser should keep looking. "Successful students explore all levels of advising to find the person who works best for them."

Students who are unsure where to go for information about their academic program can start by contacting the division's Undergraduate Academic Programs Unit at (530) 752-0410. The unit is located in room 202 of the Life Sciences Addition on the UC Davis campus and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.