Getting Started
Advising
VISION STATEMENT
The College of General Studies advising unit's vision is to empower nontraditional students of diverse backgrounds to enrich their intellectual and personal growth by utilizing the full range of resources and opportunities available at the University of Pittsburgh. We aspire to maintain a student centered and goal-oriented environment that will create a positive relationship between student and advisor. This relationship will help maximize the student's academic achievement, enhance the student's personal development, and promote alumni career success.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Academic Advising Web Page of the College of General Studies. Few experiences in your college career have as much potential for influencing you as the relationship that you develop with your advisor. Academic advising in the College of General Studies is a developmental process. Our approach recognizes that students in CGS represent a multiplicity of backgrounds including various life circumstances, different life stages, diverse career backgrounds, and in many cases, multiple higher education experiences. Our approach recognizes the individuality of each student and encourages each student to develop decision making skills and assume responsibility for their own actions and personal student growth.
As a degree seeking student, you will be assigned to an advisor, and you will retain this advisor throughout your tenure with CGS. We expect a trusting relationship to develop with you and your advisor. The relationship on your part requires open, honest communication, timeliness, and dedication to academic success. The relationship, on our part, requires the execution of our mission statement which appears below.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission in the advising unit of the College of General Studies is to facilitate the enrollment and progress of our students toward the completion of their educational goals by:
- Making an admission decision based on collective experience with nontraditional students and a body of research on nontraditional student success, in order to admit students who demonstrate the potential to succeed at college-level coursework in a research university environment.
- Interpreting the College of General Studies curriculum requirements and the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the University.
- Providing clear and comprehensive academic orientation to the University academic programs, resources, and opportunities.
- Teaching students to utilize University resources independently in order to navigate their own way through the vast opportunities available to our students.
- Assisting students in the selection of courses and other educational experiences, such as internships, study abroad, and service learning experience.
- Assisting and respecting students in their major exploration and future career plans.
- Encouraging students to develop meaningful and realistic educational plans that are compatible with their life goals.
- Helping students identify appropriate action plans to achieve their academic goals.
- Motivating students and encouraging them to seek out and use support services to help them reach their educational goals.
- Serving as student advocates on campus in order to help students reach their educational, personal, and professional goals.
- Developing self-reliant students who are ultimately accountable and responsible for making decisions about life goals and educational plans.
Advisors provide you with an experience that guarantees you a sustained interaction with a caring and concerned educational professional who has the ability to help shape your college experience in a positive and informed manner. We are here to work in collaboration with you to achieve your goals. In short, we are here for you.
Welcome to CGS and best of luck to you as you begin one of the most important and exciting endeavors of your life.
Jane S. Micale, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs