Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 9Ěýa.m. - 5 p.m.Ěý
Office Location:
McKinley 104
The School of Communication Undergraduate advising office is committed to delivering outstanding advising services to our students by utilizing the theory and practice of Appreciative Advising. Appreciative Advising is an academic advising philosophy which calls advisors to celebrate students' strengths as they help advisees achieve their life and academic goals. It is a reciprocal approach where both student and advisor benefit and learn. Appreciative Advisors build relationships with students to keep them engaged in exploring multiple avenues for meeting their needs. We are truly invested in partnering with students to achieve academic and personal success.
SOC's Undergraduate Advising Office is pleased to offer Virtual Advising Drop-In hours between August 26th and September 9th during the Add/Drop period. Virtual Drop-In hours are a space for students to ask brief, 10-15 minute questions related to the Fall 2024 schedule.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1pm-3pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-12pm. Enter virtually using the Zoom link: .
For a list of academic planning resources, please click here.
Tara Flakker is the Director of Undergraduate Student and Academic Affairs and will be temporarily advising sophomore students with last names A-G and all students with last names O-Z.
On campus Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Working remotely Mondays and Thursdays.
Julio is eager to work with the SOC/AU community. Julio was born and raised in Maryland. He has a Masters in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. Julio is enthusiastic about empowering students so that they can create their path to a better and brighter future. In his free time, Julio loves to explore different restaurants in the DMV, travel to new places, and play soccer.
On campus Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Working remotely Mondays and Tuesdays.
Click below to schedule an appointment. Please indicate your preferred format (in person, virtual or phone) to host the advising session and specify the purpose of the meeting under the notes section. This willĚýhelp us prepare and serve you better.
You will be able to schedule appointments beginning on those dates.
Ana Maria Ulloa-Shields (anamaria@american.edu)Ěýwill be temporarily advising students with last names A-E (juniors and seniors).
Tara Flakker (flakker@american.edu)Ěýwill be temporarily advising students with last names A-G (sophomores) and last names O-Z (all students).
Julio Reyes (julior@american.edu)Ěýwill be temporarily advising students with last names F & G (juniors and seniors) and last names H-N (all students).
SOC UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING SYLLABUS
What is Academic Advising?
The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) defines academic advising as a process which includes intentional interactions between a student and an academic advisor centered on student learning outcomes designed to encourage the student’s self-efficacy and development of meaningful educational and professional goals.
Academic Advising in the School of Communication
The School of Communication (SOC) uses an Appreciative Advising approach. This approach is built upon the framework of partnership where both the advisor and student collectively work to build a positive relationship where they get to know each other and explore interests and goals. It includes asking open-ended questions, developing short-term and long-term plans, monitoring academic progress, and empowering students to take ownership of their education. We find that this holistic, student-centered approach really works and we are truly invested in partnering with students to achieve academic and personal success.
Student Learning Outcomes
Through the academic advising process SOC students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:
Expectations
What Students can expect of Academic Advisors:
What Academic Advisors expect of Students:
Milestones and Touch Points to Remember
The is intended to serve as a guide that is by no means an exhaustive list, which may need to be adjusted to your student’s individual circumstances
First Year Students:
Sophomores:
Juniors:
Seniors:
Campus Resources
*Academic Support & Access Center (/provost/academic-access/) – ASAC supports the academic development and educational goals of all American University students. They provide a variety of tutoring and accommodation support services.
American University Library (/library/) – In addition to meeting with a librarian, the Library offers a variety of classes, workshops, tutorials, and technological support to provide students with assistance with their research projects.
Career Center (/careercenter/) – The Career Center supports students in finding internships and careers during and after their time at AU.
Center for Diversity and Inclusion (/ocl/cdi/index.cfm) – CDI works to advance American University’s commitment to respecting and valuing diversity by serving as a resource and liaison for students, staff, and faculty on issues of equity through education, outreach and advocacy.
*Counseling Center (/ocl/counseling/) – The Counseling Center provides free and confidential clinical services to support students in their intellectual, emotional, and social development.
*Dean of Students (/ocl/dos/) – The Dean of Students supports students in cases where personal difficulties such as hospitalization, injury, extended illness, family problems or mental health concerns are affecting academic progress.
Kay Spiritual Life Center (/ocl/kay/) – Kay is the University’s “house of prayer for all people” and is home to more than two dozen religious communities.
Mathematics & Statistics Tutoring Lab (/provost/academic-access/mathstat.cfm) – The Mathematics & Statistics Lab provides students with either drop-in hours or tutoring appointments on several mathematics or statistics courses offered at the University.
Office of Campus Life (/ocl/) – The Office of Campus Life is home to student-focused departments that provide key services and support around life at AU.
Writing Center (/provost/academic-access/writing-center.cfm) – The Writing Center provides students with free consultations where they can share their draft and get feedback about their writing.
*These offices may require the student’s written permission to share information about a student’s contact with the office or academic record.
SOC UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING SYLLABUS
What is Academic Advising?
The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) defines academic advising as a process which includes intentional interactions between a student and an academic advisor centered on student learning outcomes designed to encourage the student’s self-efficacy and development of meaningful educational and professional goals.
Academic Advising in the School of Communication
The School of Communication (SOC) uses an Appreciative Advising approach. This approach is built upon the framework of partnership where both the advisor and student collectively work to build a positive relationship where they get to know each other and explore interests and goals. It includes asking open-ended questions, developing short-term and long-term plans, monitoring academic progress, and empowering students to take ownership of their education. We find that this holistic, student-centered approach really works and we are truly invested in partnering with students to achieve academic and personal success.
Student Learning Outcomes
Through the academic advising process SOC students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:
Expectations
What Students can expect of Academic Advisors:
What Academic Advisors expect of Students:
Milestones and Touch Points to Remember
The is intended to serve as a guide that is by no means an exhaustive list, which may need to be adjusted to your student’s individual circumstances
First Year Students:
Sophomores:
Juniors:
Seniors:
Campus Resources
*Academic Support & Access Center (/provost/academic-access/) – ASAC supports the academic development and educational goals of all American University students. They provide a variety of tutoring and accommodation support services.
American University Library (/library/) – In addition to meeting with a librarian, the Library offers a variety of classes, workshops, tutorials, and technological support to provide students with assistance with their research projects.
Career Center (/careercenter/) – The Career Center supports students in finding internships and careers during and after their time at AU.
Center for Diversity and Inclusion (/ocl/cdi/index.cfm) – CDI works to advance American University’s commitment to respecting and valuing diversity by serving as a resource and liaison for students, staff, and faculty on issues of equity through education, outreach and advocacy.
*Counseling Center (/ocl/counseling/) – The Counseling Center provides free and confidential clinical services to support students in their intellectual, emotional, and social development.
*Dean of Students (/ocl/dos/) – The Dean of Students supports students in cases where personal difficulties such as hospitalization, injury, extended illness, family problems or mental health concerns are affecting academic progress.
Kay Spiritual Life Center (/ocl/kay/) – Kay is the University’s “house of prayer for all people” and is home to more than two dozen religious communities.
Mathematics & Statistics Tutoring Lab (/provost/academic-access/mathstat.cfm) – The Mathematics & Statistics Lab provides students with either drop-in hours or tutoring appointments on several mathematics or statistics courses offered at the University.
Office of Campus Life (/ocl/) – The Office of Campus Life is home to student-focused departments that provide key services and support around life at AU.
Writing Center (/provost/academic-access/writing-center.cfm) – The Writing Center provides students with free consultations where they can share their draft and get feedback about their writing.
*These offices may require the student’s written permission to share information about a student’s contact with the office or academic record.
Monday through Friday, 9Ěýa.m. - 5 p.m.Ěý
Office Location:
McKinley 104
12 credit hours of communication courses may be transferred in prior to matriculation at AU and counted toward SOC major requirements, with SOC academic advisor approval. 2 communication courses, worth a total of 6 credit hours, may be taken abroad with prior approval from your SOC academic advisor. Refer to the Transfer Articulation Equivalency page to see if your courses will transfer.Ěý
School of Communication students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 to be in good academic standing.
More information on the undergraduate academic rules and regulations can be found here.