Enabling Technologies For Effective Student Advising

Engineering degree programs are, by their nature, very structured with extensive prerequisite systems. Because of this, student advising often degrades to the level of updating records and assisting students as they navigate the proper sequence of courses [1]. This situation can be substantially changed if both the faculty advisor and the student are provided with a larger view of the entire undergraduate curriculum including major and general education requirements and sequencing. Utilizing database management software and web tools, a system has been implemented that provides both students and faculty advisors with timely and accurate student program data. The information is presented in an easy-to-understand format that is effectively utilized in advising. Providing this information changes the dynamics of an advising session, and allows students and their faculty advisors to focus their conversations on forward planning rather than bookkeeping.