Advising and Counseling
Academic advising is a fundamental part of the educational experience at Enterprise State Community College. Academic advisors assist students in such areas as registration, course selection, major and program of study selection, campus office and service referral, college and administrative policies, and regulations explanation. The academic advising relationship requires acceptance of mutual responsibilities by both advisor and advisee. When these responsibilities are effectively assumed, advising makes a vital contribution to the student’s educational success. Ultimately, students are responsible for their own academic decisions, but the support of effective advising increases the student’s chances to effectively meet all college and degree program requirements.
Academic advising is an ongoing process rather than a single or isolated appointment or meeting. It involves developing a relationship between the student and the advisor. The relationship is meant to help the student achieve his or her educational goals.
Advisor Role and Responsibilities
The academic advisor helps the student select courses and learning experiences that support the student’s educational goals. The academic advisor’s responsibilities include the following:
- inform students of the nature of the advisor/student relationship,
- designate and post hours available for advising,
- advising students in selecting work consistent with their educational goals,
- assist students in selecting a realistic program consistent with their abilities and interests,
- discuss linkages and relationships between institutional programs and occupational careers,
- assist students in monitoring and evaluating their educational progress, and when completing the Change of Major Form,
- Complete form with students. Students and Advisor must sign the form.
- Verify VA Financial Aid status. You may call the Financial Aid office to verify status.
- If the student is receiving VA benefits, forward the Change of Major form to the Financial Aid office; the Financial Aid office is then responsible for forwarding the form to the Registrar.
- If the student is not receiving VA benefits, inform the Financial Aid Office of the major change and then forward the Change of Major form to the Registrar or Director of Counseling
- approve all designated educational transactions,
- interpret instructional policies, procedures, and requirements,
- refer students to appropriate campus resources,
- encourage students to accept responsibility for their own actions and decisions, and
- evaluate the advising system, when requested, in order to strengthen the advising process.
Advisee Role and Responsibilities
Academic advising is a joint responsibility of advisors and students. Students carry a large portion of the responsibility in the advising process and should take the initiative to seek advising and develop the advisor/advisee relationship. All first-term freshmen will be unable to register for their second academic term until they have met with their faculty advisor during the official academic advising period. In order to contribute to an effective advising relationship, students are expected to:
- make contact early in the term with the academic advisor prior to any need for pre-registration assistance,
- schedule an appointment and meet with the advisor during the official academic advising period prior to registration,
- prepare for advising sessions and bring appropriate resources or materials,
- communicate personal values, abilities, interests, and goals to the advisor,
- be willing to seek out the academic advisor for advice at times other than registration,
- follow through on actions identified during each advising session,
- become knowledgeable of all graduation requirements and adhere to institutional policies, procedures,
- deadlines, and requirements,
- become familiar with campus resources,
- evaluate the advising system, when requested, in order to strengthen the process,
- accept final responsibility for all decisions.
Counseling
Counseling services help students meet their needs academically - transfers, graduation, and degree planning - and personally - career planning and personal success. Counseling services are available on the Enterprise campus in Boll Weevil Central through the Student Success and Counseling Services Office, telephone (334) 347-2623, ext. 2293, or on the Alabama Aviation College at Ozark campus inside Admissions, Steagall Hall, telephone (334) 347-2623 ext. 3657. Counseling services can also be emailed at advising@escc.edu. Students may make individual appointments with a counselor for virtual or face-to-face meetings. Evening counseling hours are available upon request.
Career Interest Inventories
Career interest inventories information is available to students at the counseling offices on each campus. Follow-up sessions may be scheduled with an advisor or counselor to discuss the results of the career interest inventories.
The advisor or counselor may provide the student access information to the Focus 2 Career Planning and Major Exploration System which is a comprehensive, interactive career computer program updated annually. The program provides interests, abilities, and values inventories, detailed information for occupations and college majors, and a two- and four-year colleges search feature with job search tools including resumes, cover letters, interviews, job openings, internships, and apprenticeships. A personal portfolio builder is also included in the program. Users may easily explore all areas unassisted. In addition, this software offers access to online college and financial aid applications and includes the costs for two-year and four-year colleges. Please visit the Student Success and Counseling Services Office for access information for Focus.
Statewide Articulation Reporting System (STARS)
The Alabama Articulation Program (also called STARS—Statewide Articulation Reporting System) is a computerized articulation and transfer planning agreement designed to inform students who attend Alabama Community Colleges about degree requirements, course equivalents, and other transfer information pertaining to specific majors at each state-funded four-year institution. STARS is an efficient and effective way of providing students, counselors, and educators with accurate information upon which transfer decisions can be made.
STARS is the information link between the state’s public two-year and four-year institutions. The STARS database, if used properly, can prevent the loss of course credit hours, can provide direction for the scheduling of course work, and can ease the transition from one institution to another.
Students who are interested in receiving a STARS Guide and Transfer Agreement should go to the statewide articulation website at www.stars.troy.edu.
Additional Services
Counseling Office staff work with students throughout the year to improve study methods, improve test-taking skills, explore careers, and make referrals to Student Support Services (Enterprise Campus and Alabama Aviation College at Ozark) and other institutional or community support services. In addition, counselors are available to explain the student’s selected plan of study and to aid students with information concerning transfer requirements. Helpful information about area colleges and careers is available through the Counseling Office at the Enterprise Campus and Alabama Aviation College at Ozark. Students are encouraged to make use of these free, professional services.