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 Advising sessions offer crucial information By Margaret Jenkins The Savannah College of Art and Design office of graduate studies strives to enhance the graduate academic experience for students at the college. To ensure a smooth transition to the graduate program, graduate academic advisers now offer group advising sessions for incoming students as a counterpart to faculty advising. Held at the beginning of each quarter, these sessions outline the resources available through the office of graduate studies, highlight key policies and procedures from the graduate handbook, and allow students an opportunity to ask questions about their academic programs. By letting students know what to expect in their first quarter (and in quarters to follow), the graduate academic advisers hope to alleviate the stress and strain many new students experience as they begin their graduate studies. In addition to discussing policy matters, the graduate academic advisers use these sessions to outline “nuts and bolts” issues, such as the process for registering for courses by application, the significance of assigned catalog terms, and helpful tips for reading CAPP reports. Graduate academic advisers also clarify their role in relation to that of faculty advisers, who act as departmental liaisons and provide expertise regarding curriculum and industry-specific issues. Many new graduate students took advantage of the group advising sessions at Smithfield Cottage during the first weeks of the spring quarter. Graphic design Master of Fine Arts candidate Bobby Axtell attended a recent session for new students in the School of Communication Arts. “I have been greatly impressed by the level of personal attention given to the graduate students by the staff at Smithfield Cottage,” he said. “Being new to SCAD and Savannah, it’s great to know I have a team of friendly faces supporting my return to academic life.” Interior design graduate student Heather Boylan said, “Although it has been more than 10 years since I was a student, my transition into the academic environment at SCAD has been surprisingly smooth. Programs such as the graduate advising sessions provide an intimate, open forum to collect and share information, meet fellow graduate students and communicate concerns and/or positive experiences. I encounter on a daily basis evidence that the faculty and staff at SCAD believe in its mission to promote learning and challenge the mind and one’s creative passions.” Graduate students who were unable to attend an advising session are invited to make an appointment with their graduate academic adviser to review their course of study, learn about graduate resources, and prepare to register online. Students are also strongly encouraged to meet with their faculty advisers during the current advisement period. Faculty advisers can help students determine their summer and fall quarter schedules, review their current CAPP reports, and keep abreast of departmental happenings. Regardless of whether a student is in his or her first or fifth quarter, timely advising is the key to a smooth progression through the graduate program. Jenkins is the coordinator of graduate academic advising at SCAD. Graduate students with last names beginning with letters A-K can contact Jenkins at mjenkins@scad.edu, and students with last names L-Z can contact Sarah McCarn at smccarn@scad.edu to set up appointments. Students can also call Smithfield Cottage directly at (912) 525-6315 for more information. |
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