Academic Advisement and Mentoring

Policy Number: 3.9
Effective Date: March 1, 2023
Revision History: Reviewed May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Dean of Student Success

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

In keeping with its commitment to create a culture devoted to the holistic development of students, Georgia Gwinnett College (“GGC”) embeds traditional academic advising for course selection and academic program planning within a broader context of career planning, goal clarification, and personal growth. Georgia Gwinnett College has chosen the term “mentoring” for its academic advisement program to emphasize this focus on the whole student, rather than simply on academic matters. The Student Success Advising Center offers a range of services and programs to meet the needs of all GGC students. Additionally, student success advisors mentor students enrolled in Student Success courses.

II. Scope

All GGC students benefit from a range of services and programs available from the Student Success Advising Center. While advisors are trained to support all students, advising assignments are based on academic focus areas. Students transition to faculty mentors after they complete all learning support requirements, earn 30 credit hours and declare a major. Student Success advisors also support the academic recovery of students who have been academically suspended through the Grizzly Renewal Opportunities Workshops (“GROW”) Program.

III. Mission

The mission of the GGC Student Mentoring Program is facilitating student success, development, and retention by supporting the design and implementation of educational and career plans and enhancing student engagement in the academic community.

IV. Academic Advising Model:

1. In its broad definition of academic advising, the University System of Georgia asserts that academic advising “…represents…an opportunity for the faculty and the institution to express a special interest in both the personal and academic welfare of the students.” In keeping with this view, the overall goal of mentoring at GGC is to assure that all students achieve the Integrated Educational Experience (“IEE”) outcomes of the College:
   1. Clearly communicate ideas in written and oral form
   2. Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking in inter- and multidisciplinary contexts
   3. Demonstrate effective use of information technology
   4. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate in diverse and global contexts
   5. Demonstrate an understanding of human and institutional decision making from multiple perspectives
   6. Demonstrate an understanding of moral and ethical principles
   7. Demonstrate and apply leadership principles

V. Compliance

1. In support of these goals, mentoring at GGC encompasses the three broad areas of academic advising, career advising, and personal growth. Within these three broad areas, the outcomes of mentoring are:
   1. Academic Advising
      1. Development of academic program plans appropriate for students’ anticipated majors and career goals.
      2. Progression toward completion of academic requirements and graduation at a reasonable rate.
      3. Awareness of policies and procedures pertinent to completion of students’ planned academic programs.
      4. Awareness of special academic opportunities such as study abroad, internships, etc.
   2. Career Advising
      1. Identification of educational and career objectives commensurate with students’ interests and abilities.
      2. Exploration of academic and other requirements for students’ chosen careers.
      3. Exploration of post-graduate educational or employment opportunities for students’ chosen careers.
   3. Personal Growth
      1. Awareness of on-campus support available to students.
      2. Engagement in the co-curricular program of the college.
      3. Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, college, and/or community.
      4. Make appropriate life decisions and accept personal responsibility for the consequences of decisions.
2. Ultimately, Georgia Gwinnett College graduates will be informed, engaged citizens of the community who are inspired to a lifetime of service.
3. Role of Faculty
   1. All GGC students are assigned a faculty mentor at the point of matriculation and continue to be mentored by a faculty member throughout their educational careers.
   2. Effective mentoring is a critical element in the annual evaluation process for faculty.
   3. All faculty and selected staff are engaged in mentoring students.

VI. Related Regulations, Statutes, Policies, and Procedures

Board of Regents Policy Manual 3.9 Academic Advisement