Academic advising is a key resource that helps students set educational goals, discover academic opportunities, and plan for success. Our advisors are here to guide you through your academic journey, offering support for course selection, career planning, and overall success. Our Academic Advisers empower students to:

  • Set and achieve educational goals.
  • Utilize resources to explore academic opportunities.
  • Connect opportunities with personal goals.

At Penn State Greater Allegheny, advising is a collaborative process that helps students navigate the challenges of college life. Whether you're exploring majors, planning your courses, or making decisions about your future, your advisor is here to support you.

Who Advises Me?

Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS):
For students exploring or undecided about their major, advisors in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) provide guidance to help you explore your academic options and choose a path that aligns with your interests and goals.

Academic Advisors:
Once you declare a major, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor in your department who will guide you through your academic journey and help with course selection, degree planning, and other academic decisions.

Responsibilities of Advisors and Advisees

The Advisor’s Role:

  • Help students understand University procedures, academic requirements, and policies.
  • Provide guidance on career objectives based on the student’s abilities and interests.
  • Assist with course selection, planning, and adjustments.
  • Refer students to appropriate resources when needed.

The Advisee’s Role:

  • Take responsibility for understanding degree requirements and academic policies.
  • Be prepared for advising meetings with relevant materials.
  • Meet with your advisor at least once every semester.
  • Be proactive in seeking guidance and information to achieve educational goals.

Scheduling an Appointment

Advising appointments are scheduled using Starfish, an online system that allows you to book an appointment with your assigned advisor. If your advisor does not have available appointments in Starfish, we recommend reaching out via email. For help with scheduling through Starfish, see the tutorial: Students–Starfish (psu.edu). Students can find a Starfish kiosk located in Academic Affairs.

Email Recommendations:

If you need to email your advisor for an appointment, be sure to follow these email recommendations:

  • Always use your Penn State student email address to communicate with faculty and staff.
  • Include a greeting, your name, student ID (if possible), and a signature at the end of your email.
  • Provide as much information as possible about your needs or questions.

Sample Email:

Hello Dr. Smith,

I am Sarah John, one of your advisees, and I would like to schedule an advising appointment to talk about my schedule for the upcoming semester. Could you please let me know what your availability is for this week or next week? I look forward to meeting with you soon.

Thank you,
Sarah John
ID# 900000000

Need help finding your assigned academic advisor?

Log into LionPath and select the “My Advisor” tab at the top, right side of the screen.