Create your path. Stay on track.
Academic advising is essential to your success as an undergraduate student. Your advisor will help you understand policies and procedures, assist you in selecting majors and courses, and encourage you to engage in campus and community activities. These experiences enrich your college experience, while also helping you realize your dreams and reach your goals.
Academic Advising Center
Advising at the University of Iowa is designed to grow with you academically. Your advising team will change as your needs change. First-semester students and those with fewer than 30 semester hours are advised in the campus-wide Academic Advising Center, where the center’s advisors specialize in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa.
Departmental advising
As a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student with a declared major and 30+ semester hours of credit, you will transition to a departmental advisor. CLAS advisors are located within departments and specialize in providing expert guidance tailored to the majors they serve.
Students with multiple programs of study may have multiple advisors. You’ll visit your primary advisor for registration, but we all work together to help you meet your academic and career goals. Find and schedule with your advisor(s) using MyUI.
Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences advising
Hannah Whitcomb serves as the Academic Advisor for Geographical and Sustainability Sciences/EPPL students. For quick questions, please email Hannah. For adding and dropping courses and other immediate issues, stop by Hannah’s walk-in hours in 255 Trowbridge Hall.
When to meet with an advisor
Scheduling an individual appointment is recommended if you would like to review your degree audit, discuss course registration, map out a plan to graduation, or have questions for which you would like to have an extended conversation. She is available to assist students with the following:
- Advisor signatures on add/drop and other university forms
- Questions regarding course registration
- Questions or problems with your degree audit
- Academic probation
- Discussions regarding adding second majors, minors, and certificate programs
- Involvement in internships, research, or volunteer experiences
- Information regarding campus resources for students
- Other questions or concerns you may have
When to meet with faculty
You are encouraged to meet with faculty in your area of academic interest. While you will continue to meet with Hannah for routine advising functions, faculty members can provide further assistance in the following areas:
- Disciplinary guidance for research projects
- Mentoring for honors theses and projects
- Discussions regarding graduate and professional school aspirations
- Supervision of off-site student internships
We encourage you to allow faculty members the opportunity to get to know you well enough that they can provide expert advice tailored to your individual interests.
Meet the Geographical and Sustainability Sciences academic advisor
Hannah Whitcomb
Schedule an appointment
Connect with your professional advisor through MyUI. To contact faculty advisors, email them directly to make an appointment.
Getting started with Academic Advising
Verify your advisor and program
Your advisor may change. Verify your primary advisor and their office location. Your program(s) of study are listed in MyUI and include your majors, minors, certificates, or pre-professional programs. If any of this needs to be updated, contact your advisor.
Review your degree audit
Check your degree audit regularly to ensure you understand your program requirements and how courses will count. Contact your advisor if you have questions.
Prepare for registration
Visit your advisor each semester to discuss courses and registration. Your primary advisor can also assist with schedule changes, including adding and dropping.
Seek academic support
Your advisor can help you work to improve your academic performance whether you are on academic probation or want to improve your GPA. Ask about support for your academic success.
Next steps
Plan for graduation
Collaborate with your advisor to create a plan for graduation that incorporates all your programs. Review this plan with your advisor(s) regularly and ask questions about your progress toward degree completion.
Find student resources
The University of Iowa provides resources for social, health, well-being, financial, and academic support. Your advisor can help you navigate campus services.
Explore engagement opportunities
Learn about student organizations, study abroad, service, research, internships, and honors in your major.
Set your goals
Discuss your interests and future educational and career goals. Your advisor can help you plan for graduate and professional study and can connect you to the Pomerantz Career Center.
More about Academic Advising in CLAS
For more information, or to find an advisor in another department, visit the CLAS Advising Network.
Your advising path
Engaging with your academic advisor can be a very helpful step toward having a successful education. We're here to help you understand the process for academic advising throughout your time as a student at Iowa.
In the Academic Advising Center
First-year studentsMost entering undergraduate students are assigned to a professional academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center (AAC).
In your major
After declaring a major & earning 30 semester hoursAfter you have declared a major, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and earned 30 semester hours* of credit, you will be re-assigned to a professional academic advisor or a faculty advisor in your major.
*The number semester hours required for advising in CLAS can vary slightly by department. Consult your academic advisor for specifics.
- CLAS Sophomores
When you become a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you are required to meet with your advisor for registration authorization and work together to build your educational path.
- CLAS Juniors & Seniors
In many departments, juniors and seniors are also required to meet with an advisor for registration authorization. Either way, all students are encouraged to continue working with their CLAS Network Advisor throughout your education at Iowa.