Staff

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

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

Stephanie Simpson, M.Ed.
Professional Academic Advisor

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

When a student enters their UCS 10101 FIRST-YEAR ENDURING QUESTIONS or UCS 20201 ADDRESSING URGENT QUESTIONS, the course instructor will serve 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 students, connecting them with the Academic Advising Office.

Through activities in their Enduring Questions or Addressing Urgent Questions courses and the Common Questions 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 first-year nursing students—are assigned a secondary advisor to assure a successful start at Hiram. These academic advisors inform students of key deadlines and program requirements and coordinate with faculty advisors to assure that no student is neglected.

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 plans for Hiram Connect (https://www.hiram.edu/academics/hiram-connect) experience of internships, independent research, or study away, and prepare for their senior capstone experience. 

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.