51±¬ÁÏ

TEH Section 6: Academic Advising

Academic Advising

Academic advising plays an essential role in helping you formulate educational and career plans based on your interests, abilities, and academic classification. We encourage you to routinely meet with your academic advisor, because meeting with them can help you transition to college life, choose a major or minor program of study, provide academic support referrals, assist with career exploration, and much more. Over the course of your college career, your relationship with your advisor is likely to grow from one of mentorship to one of professional connectivity and mutual respect.

Vacca Office of Student Services (VOSS) 

The Vacca Office of Student Services (VOSS) is located in 304 White Hall and at times, on-site locations in the Gym/MACC Annex and Nixon Hall. The office strives to provide the highest level of service and support to students, faculty, administrators, alumni and the larger community. As partners in the academic success of all our students, the staff strives to be responsive to your needs and at the same time uphold the academic standards and professional integrity of 51±¬ÁÏ, outside agencies, and accrediting groups. The office works together as a team to be knowledgeable, helpful, efficient, and consistent, yet understanding of the diversity of students served. We encourage you to actively engage with members of this office who care deeply about your success.

The office provides:

VOSS is a multi-faceted office that serves a variety of needs for students in EHHS including: required specialized undergraduate advising, recruitment and retention, reviewing and monitoring students’ progress through entry into and completion of programs, placement of potential teachers and American Sign Language/English Interpreting students for field and final student teaching/practicum, clearing for graduation for all EHHS students across all campuses, licensure for all licenses under SBOE that the university provides, support of multiple EHHS led education abroad opportunities, programming and data management for the use of this office as well as applications used throughout the college, and support for undergraduate programs through curriculum development and advocacy at the college, university, and state levels.

Starting with your admission to the university through graduation, you will be required to meet with your undergraduate advisor each semester before you are able to register for classes. VOSS has a specialized advising model where one primary advisor is assigned to all students in their respective major. With the specialized model, the advisor can get to know you and establish professional relationships with you by getting to know your goals, strengths, and challenges. In addition, being a specialized advisor affords the opportunity to work closely with faculty within the program to gain a solid understanding of the major and concentrations, collaborate on student issues, and stay current on curriculum changes.

Your advisor will work to ensure your academic progress using the Graduation Planning System, GPS (which includes a Graduation Audit System and Academic Plans) and reviewing Kent Core, course sequencing, pre-requisite courses, and progression requirements. In addition, they will help you set academic, professional, and personal goals during each advising appointment. You will be coached to set short- and long-term goals as well as action steps toward achieving their goals.

Another important aspect of an advisor’s work occurs when they support students who are struggling academically. If you were to need these supports, your advisor could be instrumental in helping you learn how to receive academic interventions if you are issued Early Alerts, what to do if you are placed on Academic Probation, or where you can find tutoring if you are struggling at midterms. In addition, if you were to be placed on academic probation, your advisor would work with you to complete the required Academic Success Contract within the first 3 weeks of the semester.

The Advising Partnership

We view advising as a dynamic partnership between the student, professional academic advisor, and faculty advisor.

Role of Faculty Advisor

  • Offers expertise in subject matter
  • Provides career guidance and serves as a mentor for students
  • Communicates and models a sense of ethical integrity and professionalism
  • Guides students in career goals by providing referrals when appropriate
  • Assists students in understanding and accepting their unique abilities, interests, skill sets and limitations within their chosen field
  • Collaborates with Professional Advisor

Role of Specialized Primary Role Academic Advisor

  • Assists students with the selection of Kent Core, pre-professional and major coursework
  • Works with students on creating, updating, and maintaining their GPS plan
  • Reviews academic policies, procedures, curriculum, and graduation requirements with students
  • Teaches students about relevant resources, technology, and make referrals
  • Provides students with information about major alternatives, program changes, and consequences of academic decisions
  • Helps students assume ownership for their educational plans, decisions, and achievements
  • Serves as a student advocate/ombud/liaison
  • Collaborates with Program Coordinators and Faculty Advisors 

Shared Role of Faculty and Professional Advisor

  • Assists students in the development of skills and abilities
  • Provides a supportive environment to assist students in achieving their academic goals 
  • Maintains advising records for students

Your Role as a Student

  • Sets realistic goals and action steps each semester that align with your academic plan
  • Is actively engaged in advising appointments each semester
  • Learns about your program, policies, and procedures
  • Utilizes the tools and resources to assist with academic planning
  • Follows through with deadlines and referrals
  • Comes to advising appointments prepared with a list of courses selected

Transfer and Regional Campus Students

Transfer Students 

If you are a transfer student from another college/university hoping to major in a teacher education program, you should complete an application for admission to 51±¬ÁÏ online. Upon admission and after receiving notice of completion of a transfer evaluation, you should meet with an advisor in the Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall. As a transfer student, you will be assigned an advisor who will determine applicability of transfer credits to an education program and recommend course work for the upcoming semester. They will also explain the registration procedures and requirements for admission to Advanced Study. In some cases, you may be referred to the appropriate faculty member for a determination on specialized courses.

Advising Regional Campus Students

If you are a student attending a regional campus and are pursuing a teacher licensure program to be completed at the Kent campus, we strongly encourage you to meet with an advisor in the Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall early on in your program. If you plan to complete your program at the Kent campus, it is important to meet with an advisor in a timely manner to prevent delays in program completion and ensure a smooth transition. Likewise, if you plan to complete a teacher licensure program at one of the regional campuses, you should meet regularly with an advisor at that campus.

Last updated July 23, 2025

Teacher Education Handbook

Appendix

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