The Advising Center staff consists of year-round professional advisers. All first-year students and most students not yet in majors are assigned to a professional advisor. Because of the nature of the curricula in many majors, students in their major and certain pre-majors are advised by faculty advisers.

First year students and those assigned to professional advisers should schedule appointments by calling the Advising Center: 215-881-7328. Students assigned to faculty should contact their faculty adviser directly.

E-mail contact information:
Advising Center Director Tom Smith
Professional Advisers Steve Brown | Alissa Carpenter | Julia Otulak | Lynda Provette

Adviser Responsibilities

• Help the advisee to understand the academic and administrative processes of the university and the nature of its academic programs.
• Seek to understand each advisee's particular concerns affecting academic progress.
• Help advisee to understand the expected standards of achievement and likelihood of success.
• Discuss educational and career objectives suited to the advisee's demonstrated abilities and expressed interests.
• Help advisee to understand the relationships among the courses, programs, undergraduate research opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, and other available academic experiences.
• Help advisee plan a course of study, provide course advice.
• Inform the advisee about the prerequisites for subsequent program courses.
• Participate in the adviser training sessions provided by each college or department to keep informed and current.

The adviser neither grants nor denies administrative approval for particular academic actions.

Student Responsibilities

• Assume final responsibilty for course scheduling, program planning, and successful completion of all graduation requirements
• Acquire the information needed to assume final responsibility.
• Seek the academic and career information needed to meet educational goals.
• Become knowledgeable about the relevant policies, procedures, and rules of the university, college, and academic program.
• Be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials when contacting the adviser.

If you have questions specific to a Penn State College or campus location, you may want to contact a College Contact Referral Representative (CCCR),