The mission of the Western New Mexico University Advising Center is to provide excellence in academic advising service to all students with the purpose of increasing capture and retention, reducing time to degree, and assisting in the timely and cost-efficient degree attainment of all students

The Western New Mexico University Advising Center’s dedicated team of advising professionals establish dynamic, collaborative relationships with students that are grounded in empathy and respect. Our Advising Professionals promote growth and independence by providing students with the tools necessary to navigate resources and institutional policies & procedures. Guided by WNMU’s mission, vision, & values, the Advising Center supports student empowerment in achieving their personal & professional goals.

Academic Advising is central to the student experience in higher education and provides the essential link from student services to academics, ushering the student from admission to graduation. As it pertains to enrollment, academic advising serves as the conduit that moves students from admission to the classroom. Once enrolled, academic advising can improve rates of retention, speed time to degree, and increase graduation rates by providing students with a clear vision of the future through degree planning and the use of nationally recognized solution focused and strength-based models tailored to individual students.

Academic advisors are trained professionals who ascribe to WNMU Core Values as well as the values of the Global Advising Community, NACADA. Professional academic advisors seek to understand the individual needs of diverse learners and meet them where they are in terms of development, grade level, age, culture, employment status, and more. Academic advisors employ a variety of student-centered advising models congruent with the needs of each student such that students may benefit from the support needed at each stage in their educational journey.

Academic advising at Western New Mexico University is a responsibility shared by the student, the academic advisor, and the faculty mentor. Western New Mexico University academic advisors use a strength based and solution focused approach to empower our diverse learners to reach their educational and life goals. We do this through empathetic and active listening, supporting and challenging students to recognize and reach their potential, and by understanding and appreciating our learner’s views, values, and cultures.

Upon admission, our team of professional academic advisors in the WNMU Advising Center assists students in developing their initial degree plan and course schedule, educate students about institutional policies and procedures, discuss plans for student success, and support and assist students with individual concerns or questions. Our Advising Center team then connects students with a professional advisor within their selected major department who will assist them in maintaining their degree plan, understanding degree and program requirements, scheduling courses, navigating policies and procedures, and who will help keep them informed throughout their educational experience at Western New Mexico University.

Faculty Mentors are assigned by each academic department. Faculty Mentors are Western New Mexico University Faculty who help teach, coach, guide, and support students throughout their educational journey. Faculty Mentors provide guidance with respect to course selection, career aspirations, and academic progress and take an active interest in each student’s personal and academic success.

Professional academic advisors:

• Provide accurate and timely information about degree and program requirements
• Assist students in developing degree plans in accordance with University policy and students’ individual goals and aspirations
• Assist students in selecting courses aligned with their chosen career or major pathway and personal and professional goals and aspirations
• Assist students in understanding institutional policies and procedures
• Notify and remind students of important events, activities, and deadlines
• Provide support for students who need additional resources or refer them to support services within the institution or community
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students’ academic records
• Are responsive and available to answer students’ questions or to assist in addressing student concerns
• Recognize the inherent worth of every student and respect and value each student as an individual with their own life experiences, culture, and life goals

Students are responsible for taking an active role in the advising process by:

• Engaging in active reflection and discussion on personal and professional aspirations
• Consulting with professional academic advisors within their major, in the WNMU Advising Center, and/or with their Faculty Mentor at least once per semester, and as needed throughout their educational journey
• Participating in the development and monitoring of their degree plan, course schedule, and academic progress, including selecting courses that align with educational and professional goals
• Knowing and following the University’s requirements, policies, procedures, and deadlines
• Accepting responsibility for academic decisions including major or minor selection, course selection, adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses, and following-through with University and degree requirements
• Providing feedback on the quality of advising sessions and service
• Following the Western New Mexico University Code of Civility

Faculty Mentors:

• Are knowledgeable about program and degree requirements and career pathways within their respective departments
• Assist students in reaching their potential by monitoring their academic and professional progress
• Provide mentorship and guidance to motivate and empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals
• Assist students in selecting courses aligned with their aspirations and program requirements
• Notify and remind students of important events, activities, and deadlines
• Provide support for students who need additional resources or refer them to support services within the institution
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students’ academic records
• Work in collaboration with professional academic advisors to assist students throughout their educational journey
• Recognize the inherent worth of every student and respect and value each student as an individual with their own life experiences, culture, and life goals