Our primary focus is providing students with information and tools to help them make good choices. Academic advisors work closely with students throughout their college stay to establish trust and cultivate long-term advisor-advisee relationships. Students can expect to receive advising that encompasses exploration of life goals; exploration of vocational goals; program and course choices; and scheduling courses.

Academic advising is a shared relationship between student and advisor; thus, responsibilities are associated with each.

• New Students: First-time students will meet with a Counselor in the Student Services Complex located in the Betty Jo Hodges Building in order to explore registration options. Counselors will assist with appropriate course placement, academic advising, and other college transition topics.

• Returning Students: Students who attended during the previous semester will consult with their assigned Faculty Advisor and their Program Mentor (if applicable) to discuss course progression, program status, and semester advising and registration. After consulting with the Faculty Advisor, returning students may utilize myEACC for many tasks, including viewing an unofficial transcript, reviewing demographic data on file, and registering for classes. 

            Students are responsible for their academic choices.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

1. Accept responsibility for academic choices.
2. Seek help from the advisor when needed.
3. Know basic college and departmental graduation requirements for your chosen major well enough to plan your own progress toward degree completion.
4. Develop social, academic, and career goals and examine how these goals will affect your life and the lives of persons important to you.
5. Keep current on academic policies, procedures, and requirements by reviewing the current catalog, schedule of classes, and degree plans.
6. Maintain personal copies of your tentative degree plan and audit, and when appropriate, transfer credit evaluation(s) until the official graduation application is processed.  Take these materials to each advising conference.
7. Obtain prior approval from the Registrar before taking a course at another institution to meet degree requirements.
8. See that necessary official academic records from other institutions are transferred to the Registrar for evaluation in a timely fashion. Consult with Registrar/Admissions Office to have transfer credit added to EACC transcript.
9. Become familiar with the opportunities offered by the Coordinator for Career Counseling and other resources at East Arkansas Community College; discuss long-range goals, career opportunities, and the selection of a major or minor with career counselors, faculty, your academic advisor, and other resource people.

           Educational Guidance Services provides holistic, developmental advising.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE UNIT

1. Provide students with academic information concerning college programs, policies, procedures, and services.
2. Provide assigned students with an ongoing academic orientation to the college, including advising in course selection, assisting in resolving difficulties related to adjusting to new academic demands and surroundings, and explaining academic policies and procedures.
3. Provide students with referral information and resources to help with academic or non-academic problems (i.e., concerning financial aid, admissions, employment, personal and career counseling, educational support, testing, etc.).
4. Work closely with academic departments to keep abreast of degree requirements, course content, status and careers of students graduating in specific majors.
5. Work with students using an approach that incorporates a developmental advising philosophy that takes into account the holistic nature of the students and the problems they may be facing (academic, personal, career).
6. Help students begin to deal with academic and career matters by listening, counseling, and providing basic information and referrals to appropriate resources.
7. Help prepare undecided students to make a decision about a major area of study.
8. Help students understand the academic requirements and their specific academic curriculum.