Current Student Advising

Willamette College believes that academic advising is an integral part of a student's educational experience.  The Academic Advising program fosters a strong connection between students and faculty advisors, ensuring that every student receives personalized guidance throughout their academic journey.  

Who is my advisor?

Incoming first-year students take College Colloquium.  The professor teaching your colloquium will be your academic advisor, at least until you declare a major. When you select your colloquium, therefore, you are also selecting the person who will help you to plan your coursework in your first year or two at Willamette. The colloquium will end after the first semester, but your close relationship with your advisor will continue long after the course is over.

Incoming transfer students are assigned a faculty advisor based on their area of interest and intended major. 

All students must declare a major. You can declare a major after your first semester, although we generally advise waiting until your sophomore year. This helps you to explore the curriculum across the disciplines before making a decision.  When you declare a major, you will also select a major advisor who will work with you for the remainder of your time at WU.

Advising is a shared responsibility

Advising is a collaborative relationship and the responsibility is shared between the student and their advisor. As a student, you are ultimately responsible for your own education and the choices that you make in college. Your faculty advisor is here to help you navigate the university and to assist you in making informed decisions.

You can expect faculty advisors to:

• Help you articulate your educational and career goals
• Assist you in developing a course plan and tracking your progress towards graduation
• Be knowledgeable about the curriculum and academic policies and procedures
• Refer you to appropriate campus resources as needed

You, as a student, are expected to:

• Develop academic and career plans
• Come prepared to advising appointments with questions or topics for discussion
• Register for classes and be proactive in keeping track of your academic progress
• Utilize campus resources to support your academic and personal well-being
• Accept responsibility for your decisions and how your actions affect your academic progress