Getting started
Academic advising is a partnership between students and academic advisors. Here we will help you identify your academic advisor, schedule an appointment, review student expectations and common reasons for meeting with an advisor. Read the advising syllabus to learn more about advisor and student responsibilities and objectives of academic advising.
Your academic advisor
All undergraduate students have an assigned advisor. To identify this person or persons, log into Navigate and locate the Resources button. Your advisor will be listed under the "People" link.
*If you are not able to reach your assigned academic advisor, please locate your college in the list below and either email or visit their office.
- Agriculture - kstateag@ksu.edu, 114 Waters Hall
- Architecture, Planning & Design - apdesign@ksu.edu, 1127 Regnier Hall
- Arts and Sciences - artsci@k-state.edu, 107 Calvin Hall
- Business Administration - businessadvising@ksu.edu, 1001 Business Building
- Education - edcoll@ksu.edu, 013 Bluemont Hall
- Engineering - enggss@ksu.edu, 1042 Rathbone Hall
- Exploratory Studies - ppac@k-state.edu, 114 Berney Family Welcome Center
*Note: Exploratory Studies advisors are also available to assist pre-college and visiting prospective students - Health and Human Sciences - hhs@ksu.edu, 119 Justin Hall
- K-State Salina - salinaadvising@ksu.edu, College Center Room 208
Having concerns with your current academic advisor assignment?
See these steps to take before requesting to change academic advisors.
Colleges put in a lot of effort to ensure advising loads are balanced for academic advisors within their unit. They tend to be careful when making changes to advising assignments, as those adjustments can affect both students and advisors.
The university advising office has set expectations for students and advisors. Please review the student expectations listed on this page and follow the tips below to ensure every effort has been made to resolve the concern before requesting an advisor change.
- If possible, try scheduling your advising appointments to be in person so you’re talking face-to-face with your advisor. If you need to meet virtually, make sure you have a working webcam.
- Before your appointment, take some time to write out how you want to approach the conversation. Clarify the problem you are having or the questions you want to ask and consider what outcome you want from the appointment.
- Approach the conversation with an open and positive mindset. Assume your advisor wants to see you succeed and has no ill-intentions.
- Be mindful of your language and avoid sounding accusatory. For instance, instead of saying, “You never checked in on me.” you could say “Looking back at the semester, I could have benefited from regular check-ins. Is that something we can set up for next semester?”
- Reflect on and acknowledge the part you played in the conflict. Are there any student expectations you did not fulfill?
- Don’t hesitate to ask for further clarification or further explanation if there is something you don’t understand. Collaborate with your advisor to take notes during the appointment recapping what you discussed and listing out your next steps.
To request an advisor change, contact your college dean’s office via email or in person. Explain that you have reviewed the student expectations for academic advising and any attempts made to resolve your concerns. You will be directed to the appropriate staff within the dean’s office for assistance.
Scheduling an appointment
Current students may schedule advising appointments using Navigate or by emailing their advisor. To schedule a meeting through Navigate please:
- Log into Navigate.
- On the left menu select "appointments".
- Click "Schedule an Appointment".
- In the first drop down select "Academic Advising".
- Select which type of service you are seeking.
- Pick a date and find an available time.
- Confirm final details and click "Schedule" at the bottom of your screen.
Student expectations
Once a semester, students are required to meet with their advisor to select classes for the subsequent semester.
Before your enrollment meetings with your advisor, you should:
- Prepare in advance by checking your current DARS report in KSIS to determine unfullfilled curriculum requirements and writing a list of questions you have for your advisor.
- Draft a class schedule before your advising appointment. We recommend you have a few alternates in mind in case your first choice is not available.
- Check out the Undergraduate Catalog to familiarize yourself with requirements for your major. The Undergraduate Catalog also describes K-State policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Get to know your advisor. The better you know your advisor, the more comfortable you'll feel to discuss your goals or any academic or personal issues that arise.
When to meet with an academic advisor
Students will need to meet with their advisor at least once a semester to discuss enrollment; however, you can meet with your advisor more time throughout the semester. Students often meet with their advisor to discuss:
- Majors, minors, secondary majors, or certificates.
- Withdrawing from a course.
- How to get involved on campus.
- Academic or personal challenges that are affecting their preformance.
- Study abroad or internship options.
- Academic or career goal setting
Academic and Career Engagement
102 Holton Hall
1101 Mid-Campus Dr. North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6492