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Engineering Advising Center (EAC)

208 Hammond Building

University Park, PA 16802

814-863-1033 | adviser@engr.psu.edu

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Request an Appointment

To request an appointment, students in pre-major (ENGR) status at University Park should use the EAC Appointment Request System. All other students at University Park must call 814-863-1033 to request an appointment.

Academic advising for students registered in the College of Engineering in pre-major (ENGR) status and in a major, both at University Park and at other campuses, is described below.

Regardless of campus location or major status, students may always contact the EAC for information or referrals. Contact can be made by phone (814-863-1033), email (adviser@engr.psu.edu), or in person (208 Hammond Building, University Park).

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Goals and Purposes

The goals and purposes of the University’s academic advising program are defined in Section 32-00 of the University Faculty Senate Policies. Section 32-30 describes the responsibility of advisers and advisees in the advising process. The role of the student advisee in the academic advising process, as described by the policy, is repeated here:

  • Acquire the information needed to assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of all graduation requirements.
  • Seek the academic and career information needed to meet educational goals.
  • Become knowledgeable about the relevant policies, procedures, and rules of the university, college, and academic program.
  • Be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials when contacting the adviser.
  • Consult with the adviser at least once a semester to decide on courses, review the accuracy of the audit, check progress towards graduation, and discuss the suitability of other educational opportunities provided by the university.

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Academic Advising for Students in Pre-Major (ENGR) Status at University Park

At University Park, the advisers of the Engineering Advising Center (EAC) in 208 Hammond Building provide academic advising to College of Engineering students who are in ENGR status (in pre-major status and not officially in a major).

Advisers:

In accordance to the University’s policy on academic advising, with the exception of Schreyer Scholars, the following are designated as the official advisers for ENGR students.

  • Students interested in a particular major: Faculty adviser assigned to the EAC from that major. For the name of the faculty member and his/her scheduled hours in the EAC, go to EAC Faculty Advisers. To request an appointment, go to EAC Appointment Request System.
  • Students who are not certain or do not know what major to pursue: One of the following professional advisers:
    Students whose last names begin with A to H: Jeff Hill
    Students whose last names begin with I to Q: Gail Kamon
    Students whose last names begin with R to Z: Georjanne Williams

To request an appointment with Jeff Hill, Gail Kamon, or Georjanne Williams, go to EAC Appointment Request System.

ENGR students at University Park are free to seek academic advising from any of the above members of the EAC advising staff, at any time. They are not confined or limited to their assigned adviser. Also, Jeff Hill, Gail Kamon, and Georjanne Williams are available for counseling and discussion of non-academic matters. Long term problems and certain issues will be referred to relevant University resources.

Schreyer Scholars:

Scholars who wish to be advised by a faculty member in a particular major are assigned to a scholar’s adviser in the major of their choice. Scholars’ advisers are available in each department. Dr. Jean Landa Pytel, Assistant Dean for Student Services, is the faculty adviser for Schreyer Scholars in ENGR status who are uncertain of their major, are exploring major choices, and/or do not wish to be advised in a particular department. To request an appointment with Dr. Pytel, please call 814-865-7539 or contact Ms. Nancy Witherite at nsw1@psu.edu.

Schreyer Scholars in ENGR status who wish to change the department from which they receive academic advising must notify the Engineering Advising Center of their new major of interest. The new department will then be notified by the EAC and asked to assign the scholar to a departmental scholars’ adviser.

Process:

As a result of meeting with, emailing, or calling an adviser, notes are made in a student’s electronic advising file about the topics discussed and information provided.

Once students are admitted to a major in the College of Engineering, they will be assigned to a faculty adviser in that major.

Meeting with an Adviser:

Students should meet with an adviser at least once a semester. To schedule an appointment with an adviser in the EAC, go to EAC Appointment Request System, call 814-863-1033 or stop in 208 Hammond Building. Appointments are made at half-hour intervals, with the first appointment at 8 a.m. and the last one at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Students may also drop in at the EAC to talk to the first available adviser, or to a particular individual they wish to see, if that adviser is available. In case of urgent need or an emergency, please come to or call the EAC immediately.

Schreyer Scholars should also meet with their adviser at least once a semester. Each scholar’s adviser will indicate how appointments and/or visits are to be made. Dean Pytel’s advisees should call 814-865-7539 for an appointment or drop in at 208 Hammond Building< to check on availability.

During peak demand times such as the first few days of the fall and spring semesters and the three days preceding the late drop deadline, the scheduling of appointments with advisers in the EAC is limited. Instead, most students are seen on a first-come-first-served, walk-in basis. Students are therefore urged to see an adviser as soon as any problem arises or as soon as they start considering a late drop of any course. The drop action may be made on eLion by the student. All students who are considering withdrawing from the University should consult with their adviser. After such consultation, withdrawal can be completed on eLion.

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Academic Advising for Students in Pre-Major (ENGR) Status at Commonwealth Campuses

All College of Engineering students at locations other than University Park are assigned a faculty adviser at their location. Students should see their adviser at least once a semester. For the name of their faculty adviser, students must check with the appropriate office at their location. In addition, the Engineering Advising Center at University Park is a resource for College of Engineering students who are located at commonwealth campuses. To contact an adviser in the EAC at University Park, please call 814-863-1033 or email adviser@engr.psu.edu.

Students retain their academic adviser at their location until they change to University Park. All ENGR students and those who have early admission to a major continue to be advised at their campus.

The College of Engineering is represented at each Penn State location by a college Contact and Referral Faculty member. Please see this faculty member for any College of Engineering related issue. For the identity of representative at each location, go to Contact and Referral Representatives.

Once students are approved for a change of campus (assignment) to University Park, they may register for courses at UP. If a student is approved to move to University Park while still in ENGR status, the student will receive academic advising in the EAC from the faculty adviser of their intended major.

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Academic Advising for Students in a Major

Upon being admitted to a major in the College of Engineering, students will be assigned a faculty adviser in their major. Students will be notified of the identity of their assigned adviser by their department. If a student does not receive such notification or if the information is lost, he or she should contact the departmental undergraduate support staff for the identity of his or her faculty adviser.

For students in a major, the Engineering Advising Center becomes a general resource for information, help, and referrals.

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Policies and Procedures for the College of Engineering and the University

For information about College of Engineering and University policies and procedures that are relevant to student records, status, and progress toward completing degree requirements, go to Student Actions.

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