Academic Advising
Academic advising is a continuous, developmental process in which advisors support students far beyond course registration and degree planning. Advisors help students clarify their educational, career, and personal goals, and reflect on their progress toward achieving them. The aim is for students to feel connected and supported while also recognizing their own responsibility for exploring options and making informed decisions.
At Rockingham Community College, academic advising is understood as an ongoing teaching and learning partnership that uses the college’s resources to promote each student’s overall growth. Advisors begin working with students before or during their first semester and continue guiding them through to program completion.
As students advance in their studies, advising conversations shift toward program completion, career planning, and preparation for life after RCC. Advisors offer program-specific guidance to help students choose appropriate courses each semester and adjust their long-term academic plans as needed.
Advisors explain curriculum and graduation requirements, assist with building course schedules, and help students monitor their progress toward completing their program. They also provide information about campus resources, policies, and procedures, and offer strategies for academic success.
Students play an active role in the advising process. They are expected to schedule and keep appointments, participate in planning their course schedules, and communicate any special circumstances that may affect their academic plans. Advisors typically expect students to come prepared for advising sessions, be open to recommendations, and follow through on agreed upon steps.
Students who wish to change their program of study should meet with their advisor to discuss possible options. Those who want to change advisors should contact the Director of Academic Advising.
Ultimately, students are responsible for completing their academic program, understanding catalog requirements, maintaining the required GPA, and knowing their academic standing. While every student is assigned an advisor, the final responsibility for meeting program requirements rests with the student.
Currently enrolled students who plan to register through Self-Service must first contact their advisor to obtain permission to register and to address any holds or restrictions—such as unpaid balances or academic standing issues—that may prevent registration.