At the University of Pittsburgh, advising and mentoring are integral to the University’s educational mission as we “aim to prepare you for a life of impact through educational experiences tailored to your specific goals and needs.” As such, we advocate collaborative and holistic advising interactions.
Learn more about the advising framework at Pitt.
Who is my advisor?
Each college, school, campus, or unit at the University of Pittsburgh has advisors who actively engage with students. You can find your advisor or advising unit information by logging into PeopleSoft/HighPoint CX. From the left-hand side menu, click Academics, then Advisor Information.
How do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?
Many advisors utilize the Navigate Student application to schedule appointments. If you cannot find your advisor in the application, e-mail your advisor to connect with them.
What can I discuss with my advisor?
- General education requirements
- Major requirements
- Academic exploration, including minors, certificates, distinctions, and change of major
- Academic support and campus referrals
- Academic engagement and co-curricular opportunities
- Career and graduate school planning
Advisee/Advisor Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities:
- Get to know your advisors and mentors. All students are required to meet with their academic advisor at least once per semester. However, we encourage you to meet more often and when needed to review and discuss your educational plans, needs, and challenges.
- Take responsibility for your college education. Colleges and universities are bound by privacy laws that require us to maintain your confidentiality. Students are expected to respect those requirements by making their own inquiries, communicating independently, and navigating relationships with faculty and staff responsibly.
- Utilize your resources when academic or personal challenges arise.
- Understand what classes are needed to succeed in your major as well as fulfill your general education requirements.
- Explore and develop a comprehensive, cohesive, educational plan in alignment with your major and career goals.
- Reflect and plan ahead, choosing classes and activities that you enjoy, and making the most out of your well-rounded education.
- Understand and apply the foundational purposes of higher education leading to your success and graduation.
- Know the academic policies and procedures of the University of Pittsburgh and your academic unit.
- Reflect on and honor the mission and values of the University of Pittsburgh and your academic unit.
- Integrate your interests, skills, knowledge, and strengths for a holistic approach that will serve you well beyond graduation.
- Check your email on a regular basis.
Advisor Responsibilities:
- Assist students in exploring and identifying academic and career goals.
- Assist students with appropriate course selection, degree planning and monitor degree progress.
- Connect students to helpful resources and services.
- Maintain and continually build on a foundation of advising theory and practice.
- Use various software and be adaptable to new technology to fulfill responsibilities.
- Be a committed advocate for a diverse student body.
- Be patient, flexible, creative, energetic, and have a sincere desire to assist students.
- Have excellent organization, communication, time-management, cooperation, collaboration and accuracy skills.
- Maintain confidentiality with each student, aligning with FERPA and University policy.
- Have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous demands.
- Participate in or plan unit and/or University-sponsored activities.
Who else can answer my questions?
No single advisor has expertise in all areas a student may wish to explore. If your advisor is unsure about specific requirements, they may refer you to an advising unit or dean’s office at Pitt. These offices are also able to answer questions about academic policies and procedures.