Academic Advising — Orientation Interview Notes

Office Hours & Availability

  • Regular schedule: 8\text{AM} - 5\text{PM}, Monday–Friday
    • Location: Academic Advising Center (Brownsville campus).
  • Seasonal extension: Occasional Saturdays during orientation season.
  • Appointment formats:
    • In-person
    • Zoom / virtual

Student Eligibility for Advising Services

  • All currently enrolled students:
    • First-Time In College (FTIC) freshmen
    • Continuing undergraduates
    • Graduating seniors
  • Post-baccalaureate (post-bac) students:
    • Alumni who return to complete prerequisite coursework for master’s or doctoral programs.

Core Services ("Top 3")

  • Course Recommendation / Semester Planning
    • Customized class lists to keep students on‐track for timely graduation.
  • Change-of-Major Advising
    • Impact analysis: new math/science sequences, campus location changes (e.g.
      Nursing → Biology, programs housed in Edinburg vs.
      Brownsville).
    • Guides paperwork and informs on timelines.
  • Graduation Audit / Degree Review
    • Calculates remaining credits and estimates “Anticipated Graduation Semester & Year.”

Orientation, "New Bucket" Sessions & Workshops

  • Orientation expos run year-round; presentations offered at each.
  • "New Bucket" sessions (mandatory for FTIC):
    • Detailed walk-through of degree planning, resources, expectations.
    • Philosophy: advisers “link arms” with students to promote independence—students must still “walk the path.”
  • Best learning method: Attend an advising session—hands-on experience outweighs brochures.

Practical & Administrative Advice

  • Meet with your assigned adviser every semester; do not skip:
    • Hidden impacts: dropping a class may change graduation timelines, \text{SAP} status, or financial-aid eligibility.
  • Never assume you’re the only confused student; seek help early.

Staff & Key Contacts

  • Lead Academic Adviser (Health Affairs & Sciences, Brownsville): Alina Gonzalez-Cepeda.
  • Associate Director: Leticia Habib.
  • Front-Desk Specialist: Ms.
    Belle (retiring soon).
  • Additional clusters have individual “lead” advisers.
  • Rule of thumb: cultivate rapport with both professional advisers and faculty mentors.

Building Relationships with Professors

  • Professors can become:
    • First employers (lab assistants, research).
    • Reference / recommendation letter writers.
  • Tactics to be memorable:
    • Sit up front; ask follow-up questions after class.
    • Request extra credit or clarification when needed.
    • Send polite absence notifications via email.
  • Goal: leave no class where the instructor cannot recall who you are.

Impact on Financial Aid & Academic Standing

  • Course changes (add/drop/withdraw) can:
    • Reduce enrollment status (full-time vs.
      part-time).
    • Trigger financial-aid recalculations or repayment.
    • Delay graduation, adding cost and lost earnings.
  • Proactive conversation with adviser reduces negative surprises.

Adviser’s Personal Mission & University Context

  • UTRGV = Border university; student body often first-generation & highly motivated (“hungry”).
  • Advising mission:
    • Empower students today and future generations in their families.
    • Provide “life” and encouragement, not just schedules.
  • Personal story: Adviser was once first-gen herself; understands stakes and celebrates breaking family barriers.

Inspirational Conclusions & Key Takeaways

  • Everyone feels lost at some point; break mental isolation by connecting.
  • Success = Grades + Relationships + Initiative.
  • Advising is a partnership: university shows the way; student must walk it.
  • Your achievements redefine what is possible for those who follow you.