Advisors
Every student is assigned a faculty academic advisor based on academic interests. Students who declare a baccalaureate major will be paired with a faculty academic advisor who teaches within the relevant discipline. Students meet with their advisor to schedule classes for each semester and otherwise throughout the semester to talk about career interests, academic progress, and other topics of importance. Student academic interests may change, and if a different faculty member’s interests seem more related to a student’s new interests, the student can request an advisor change. A form to change advisors can be found on the MyCottey portal under the Students tab. If you have questions about academic advising, please contact the associate vice president for institutional effectiveness and student success via phone at 417-667-8181, ext. 2244.
Student Participation
It is the responsibility of the student to fully participate in the advising process. The academic advisor serves as a resource for course/career planning and academic progress review, and as an agent of referral to other campus offices as necessary. After consultation with the academic advisor, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to choose and implement the academic program. Additionally, each student should understand the importance of developing a positive relationship with the advisor since advisors often serve as mentors, references, and strong support systems throughout students’ collegiate careers.
General Statement of Advisor Expectations
The student should do the following:
- Consult with the academic advisor when necessary
- Discuss academic and career-related needs as they develop •
- Be knowledgeable about academic policies, requirements, and procedures stated in the College Catalog
- Schedule appointments with the advisor and be on time for those appointments
- Be prepared for the advising appointment and bring appropriate materials •
- Come to the advising session prior to course registration with the necessary forms, an idea of the type of courses needed, and a list of alternatives
- Discuss long-range goals, including choice of major and career aspirations, with the advisor
- Know academic requirements for continued enrollment and graduation
- Ask questions about policies, procedures, or requirements that are not understood
- Keep copies of relevant academic records
- Consult with the advisor with concerns related to academic progress, a change in program, courses to be taken at another institution, withdrawal from courses, or withdrawal from the College
- Be open - Discuss with the advisor what may be affecting the student’s ability to do the best coursework
- Follow through with appropriate action after the advising session
- Request reassignment to a new academic advisor if the student’s major or interests change
- Make final decisions and be actively responsible for the student’s academic career
- Notify the registrar of an address change at any time
- Read College mail regularly, including email
Learning Skills Assistance
While a student’s faculty member(s) should be the primary source of assistance for students needing assistance in individual courses, Cottey has a variety of content-specific peer tutors and writing peer tutors available through the Cottey College Learning Center located in Kolderie Center. Self-help resources are also available in the Kolderie Center. Learning skills classes, titled Strategies for Academic Success, are offered each semester and are taught by the director of student accessibility and academic success. The times and locations of these classes are listed in the course schedules available on the MyCottey portal. During these classes, the student will identify practical techniques to increase academic success at Cottey. Students may also seek individual learning assistance by contacting the director of student accessibility and academic success in the Kolderie Center, RBAC, in office 164.