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Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students

Academic advising is an essential component of a student's educational experience at Saint Louis University.

All undergraduate students are assigned a professional academic advisor who works with them throughout their time at SLU. Academic advisors provide guidance and information to help students achieve their educational goals, navigate university policies and procedures, and connect with campus resources.

Students are required to connect with their academic advisor before registering for the upcoming semester. In addition, first-year students must attend a First-Year Check-In appointment early in their first semester. These interactions provide valuable opportunities to build a strong advisor-student relationship, discuss academic goals and challenges, address concerns, and ensure students remain on track and supported throughout their academic journey.

Advising Information

Advising Structure and Locations

Academic Advising offices are located across campus, with each office serving students within specific colleges or schools. Each advising unit is led by a director of Academic Advising who reports to Peggy Dotson, assistant provost for academic success in the Office of the Provost. This organizational structure promotes consistent advising practices and student support across the university while recognizing and addressing the unique curricular and academic needs of each college and program.

Directors of Academic Advising by school or college:

  • Chaifetz School of Business: Brittany Ludwig, Cook Hall 130
  • College of Arts and Sciences: Pamela Jackson, Verhaegen Hall, 2nd floor
  • College for Public Health and Social Justice: Natalie Floeh, Pius Library, Suite 221
  • Doisy College of Health Sciences: Natalie Floeh, Pius Library, Suite 221
  • School of Education: Brittany Ludwig, McDonnell Douglass Hall 1004
  • School of Science and Engineering: Brittany Ludwig, McDonnell Douglass Hall 1004
  • School of Social Work: Pamela Jackson, Verhaegen Hall, 2nd floor
  • Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing: Natalie Floeh, Pius Library, Suite 221
Advising Roles and Outcomes

Successful advising is built on a collaborative relationship between the student and advisor. Throughout a student’s time at SLU, both parties share responsibility for communicating important information, completing key tasks, and working together to support the student’s academic success.

Role of the Academic Advisor

  • Discuss academic and/or personal concerns with the student and, when appropriate, refer the student to relevant programs or offices within the University structure
  • Assist students in understanding their academic requirements
  • Assist students with establishing and monitoring their progress toward educational goals
  • Encourage students to take an active role in their educational experience and empower them to make decisions for short- and long-term plans
  • Adhere to federal guidelines regarding the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act

Role of the Student

  • Communicate with their advisor about challenges or issues they may be facing
  • Attend advising appointments as requested, prepared to discuss relevant issues
  • Monitor an educational plan to achieve their educational goals
  • Effectively utilize technological platforms (Courses@SLU, Degree Works, EAB Navigate, Banner Self-Service, etc.) for course registration and educational planning
  • Utilize campus resources and services that can assist them in achieving their academic, personal, and career goals
  • Accept responsibility for decisions and actions that affect educational progress and goals

Student Outcomes

  1. Regarding pre-registration, as a result of the advising process each year, students will be able to do the following:
    • Know where to find information about the process and dates related to academic advising and registration;
    • Use the University’s scheduling/registration platform(s) to create a list of appropriate courses for the upcoming semester; and 
    • Select courses that meet requirements of their SLU degree (ie., major, Core, electives).
  2. Regarding degree-planning, as a result of the advising process each year, students will be able to do the following:
    • Develop and monitor an educational plan for achieving their academic goals;
    • Know where to find information about relevant academic policies and procedures. When necessary, understand how an academic policy/procedure impacts their educational progress; and
    • Effectively utilize technological platforms (Courses@SLU, Degree Works, EAB Navigate, Banner Self Service, etc.) to assist in educational planning and course registration.
  3. Regarding resources, students will be able to do the following:
    • Identify and utilize campus resources and services that can assist them in achieving their academic, personal, and career goals; and
    • Identify members of their success team and understand the purpose/expertise of each assigned staff/faculty when prompted.
Additional Student Support and Resources

The academic advisor is one member of the student’s success team at SLU. Students are also assigned a faculty mentor, career counselor, and financial aid counselor. Students may also work with an advisor or counselor if they are participating in one of the following programs: RISE Program; University Honors Program; INTO SLU; Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies; International Services; and University Athletics Academic Services. All success team members are listed in EAB Navigate, where students can email and/or schedule an appointment.  

In addition to the assigned success team, students have access to a range of support and information from numerous campus resources.