COVID-19 UPDATE: The ON-CAMPUS Student Services Center, including Academic Advising, is temporarily closed, effective 10/4/2020.  Student Services Center staff are still available to help you remotely.  Please contact Academic Advising at 815-835-6354 or log into the portal to make an appointment by telephone or video conference.  

Mission Statement

To foster collaborative student-advisor relationships centered on developing and defining personal, academic, and career goals, and introducing appropriate resources to achieve those goals.

Goals

• Provide access to professional academic advisors that demonstrate care and respect.
• Collaborate with students to create academic plans that reflect their personal, academic, and career goals.
• Provide information related to campus and community resources as appropriate to the individual student.

Expectations

Advisors will:

• Understand and effectively communicate curriculum and program requirements.
• Assist students in selecting courses based on personal, educational, and career goals.
• Explain institutional academic policies and procedures.
• Provide information related to college and community resources.
• Be reasonably accessible to students through scheduled in person appointments, drop in, phone calls, and/or e-mails.
• Actively listen to student’s concerns and respect their decisions.
• Discuss academic performance with students, and how that performance relates to success
• Maintain confidentiality according to established standards.
• Collaborate with students in the creation and regular updating of academic plans.

When meeting with an advisor, students should:

• Be prepared to discuss goals and educational plans.
• Be open regarding needs and goals.
• Engage in learning about campus policies, procedures, and resources.
• Ask questions to clarify any information that is not understood.
• Be open and willing to consider professional recommendations.
• Accept responsibility for personal, academic, and career decisions.
• Follow an individualized academic plan that supports the completion of academic goals.
• Review academic plan periodically and keep advisor apprised of any changes.
• Keep scheduled appointments or give ample notice to reschedule.
• Inform advisor of any academic challenges and difficulties experienced early.