Liberal Arts Academic Advising supports student success through a combination of in-person and virtual advising meetings. Advisers are available via pre-scheduled 15-minute quick questions, pre-scheduled 30-minute appointments, and same day drop-in advising. Please meet with your adviser at least once a semester. We are here to support you no matter your location, goals, or circumstances.
Drop-In Advising
Academic advisers offer drop-in advising throughout the semester. Drop-ins are available on a first come, first serve basis either virtually or in-person depending on the department. Drop-ins should be utilized for quick questions and inquiries.
View Drop-In Advising Availability
Advising Appointments
For detailed questions and extended conversations, pre-scheduled appointments are available. Appointments can be scheduled via Starfish and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. However, during peak times of the year it is important to schedule much further ahead.
To verify who your assigned academic adviser is, please check your “Success Network” in Starfish or click on the “My Advisors” icon in LionPATH (upper-right corner). You can also view a list of all academic advisers listed by major and minor.
Academic Recovery
Resources and support are available for students facing academic challenges. Elizabeth Brown, the academic recovery specialist for the College of the Liberal Arts, is available to assist if you are not making positive academic progress or are navigating academic warning, suspension, or dismissal. Through this partnership, you will set attainable goals and have an additional support system with which to work. You can schedule an appointment via Starfish.
Additional academic recovery resources are also available across campus to help you achieve academic success.
Peer Advising
Peer advisers are current students in the College of the Liberal Arts who have been recruited to provide students with a connection to the college and to peers within the college. Peer advisers are at various points in their education careers and provide students with information critical to the transition to college as well as opportunities for social and academic engagement.
Students can stop by the Chaiken Center for Student Success in 101 Burrowes Building to meet with a peer adviser during office hours Monday–Friday from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET.
College of the Liberal Arts Advisers
The Undergraduate Advising Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will prepare for advising appointments.
- Students can interpret academic planning support materials (such as the degree audit, recommended academic plans, bulletin, departmental check-sheets, websites).
- Students understand policies and procedures.
- Students will appropriately self advocate.
- Student understands the distinction between the elements of the degree.
- Students understand the relationship between their classroom experiences and academic, career, and personal goals.
- Students will make intentional decisions about completion of the General Education curriculum that are tailored to their individual academic, career and personal goals.
- Students will include experiences outside the classroom in their educational plans.
Ten Things You Need to do to Succeed at Penn State:
- Find the name of your assigned adviser and locate his or her office. (Hint: Check Starfish or LionPATH.)
- Visit Starfish to schedule an appointment with your adviser.
- Consult with your adviser to plan your semester.
- Check out advising.psu.edu for information on just about everything academic.
- Check out and bookmark Penn State's academic calendar to track important deadlines.
- Learn about the Career Enrichment Network and career-related resources.
- Get into the habit of reading your Penn State email every day.
- Go to your classes, read the course syllabi, and make note of important assignment due dates.
- Upload your resume and check out internships at nittanylioncareers.psu.edu.
- Visit your professors during their office hours.