Staff

Brooke Davidson
Professional Academic Advisor

Sherman Dean, II
Professional Academic, Graduate, and Transfer Student Advisor

Nicole Gatrell, M.A.Ed.
Executive Director of Academic Advising and Student Academic Support
International Student Advisor

Stephanie Simpson, M.Ed.
Professional Academic Advisor
Director of Emerging Scholars Program

Web address: https://www.hiram.edu/student-resources/student-academic-services/advising/

The goal of advising at Hiram College is to support the whole student, fostering their academic, personal, and professional development over their career at Hiram. The Academic Advising Office supports Hiram College’s advising system and provides convenient drop-in or online advising support for all students.

Advising at Hiram College

The instructor of a student's UCS 10101 FIRST-YEAR ENDURING QUESTIONS or UCS 20201 ADDRESSING URGENT QUESTIONS course serves as a faculty mentor for the duration of the 12-week term. These faculty mentors will help guide students in their first semester through the major declaration process or, in the case of undeclared or exploratory students, connecting them with the Academic Advising Office.

Through activities in their UCS course and the Common Hour, first-year students will be guided through the major declaration process. By registration, first-year students will have met either with their newly assigned major advisor or with an advisor in the Academic Advising Office.

Additionally, the Academic Advising Office supports all students in their first year. Students who need extra support—such as transfer students or Emerging Scholars—are assigned a secondary advisor to assure a successful start at Hiram. These academic advisors inform students of key deadlines and program requirements, and they coordinate with faculty to promote academic success.

Advising After Major Declaration

When students declare a major, they are advised by a faculty member from their program of study. Major advisors help students plan their course of study, think through opportunities for Hiram Connect experiences, and prepare for their senior capstone. 

As students work through and reflect upon declaring their major, they can continue to rely upon advisors in the Academic Advising Office to answer questions, to aid in shifting majors, or for last-minute help when their major advisor is not available.