A new centralized advising model provides a streamlined process for students looking to enroll in a class, change a major or discuss a degree program at The University of Toledo.
“Academic advisors are partners in our students’ success,” said Adam Hintz, UToledo’s academic advising administrator who oversees the new model. “By centralizing this critical student support service, we can more effectively support our students with personalized guidance that extends beyond the classroom.”
Academic advisors previously working under individual colleges are coming together in the new Academic Advising Center.
An academic advisor will continue to be assigned to each undergraduate student under the new centralized model, which brings advisors previously working under individual colleges with a wide variety of titles together in the new Academic Advising Center.
The centralization of academic advising is designed to streamline advisor interactions and provide enhanced support for students changing a major from one college to another. It builds upon the deep expertise and successful practices already established within the advising community while creating a more consistent and proactive support structure.
By establishing a uniform standard of best practices, advisors will be better positioned to coordinate timely communication on important registration deadlines and to collaborate more effectively with each other and campus partners to provide guidance tailored to each student’s unique strengths, challenges and aspirations.
“Academic advisors do more than support students in registering for classes,” Hintz said. “They’re an important resource for students who may be facing barriers to success. The new centralized model allows us to coordinate a more holistic approach to connecting these students with the additional student support services they need to succeed like tutoring, financial aid and mental health counseling.”
Faculty will continue to support students as mentor/advisors within their academic disciplines. Faculty offer invaluable insights into the curriculum, research, internships and graduate school opportunities that a student can pursue to advance their individual career goals.
Adam Hintz oversees the new UToledo Academic Advising Center.
“We value the faculty members who provide important guidance and mentorship to our students as they advance through their academic career,” Hintz said. “An important part of this new model is to ensure every student has an academic advisor engaged in their success in addition to the faculty mentor/advisors who have historically been an important part of the student experience in some academic programs.”
The UToledo Academic Advising Center is led by Hintz and advising managers Emily Shinaver, Whitney Valencia and Stella Vay. In addition to streamlining advising services, the centralization also establishes a clear professional pathway for advisors that fosters growth and long-term career development within the University. It aims to cultivate an advising community that builds on internal expertise, shares best practices and promotes collaboration and camaraderie, ensuring a supportive and enriching environment for both advisors and the students they serve.
Advisors are for now operating as one office while continuing to maintain a presence in individual colleges and at Rocket Hall. A single hub where all students can interact with their advisors, regardless of their college, is among the student support services set for inclusion in a new welcome center on Main Campus, in line with the proposal announced last year as part of the updated campus master plan.
Students will continue to hear directly from their advisors, who may or may not have changed under the centralization efforts, including details on how to connect during the fall and spring registration period that begins on Wednesday, March 12.
Students can also contact the UToledo Academic Advising Office by emailing advising@utoledo.edu, calling 419.530.4444 or stopping by Rocket Hall Room 1300.
For more information, go to the UToledo Academic Advising Center website.
