Filene Center for Academic Advising

Mission

Academic advising is a teaching and learning process that engages students and advisors in an ongoing relationship focused on promoting intellectual and personal development. Through supportive partnerships, advising provides a personalized educational experience, helping students explore, articulate and achieve their goals. 

Vision

Wheaton College Academic Advising strives to be a global leader of advising excellence by creating an environment where all students can thrive.  Effective advising helps empower students to be active and responsible learners who take full advantage of the many opportunities Wheaton provides in academics, honors and scholars pathways, research, personal and professional enrichment, and community and global engagement.  

Advising Network

The Advising Network is committed to providing quality holistic advising services that meet each student’s unique needs. In partnership with colleagues across campus, this network is committed to fostering an intellectually enriching environment that supports students’ sense of belonging, engagement, persistence and academic success:

Mentored Academic Pathways (MAP) Advisor

Your MAP Advisor serves as your trusted faculty mentor throughout your academic journey, providing invaluable guidance and support. Expect regular communication with your MAP Advisor as they help you navigate the Compass Curriculum, especially during your first two years at Wheaton.  Whether you have questions about course selections, career aspirations, campus resources, or extracurricular opportunities, your MAP Advisor is here to support you.

Major Advisor

Upon declaring a major, each student is paired with a dedicated major faculty advisor chosen by the respective department. The major advisor plays a crucial role in offering personalized support and expertise as you navigate courses within your major and explore complementary courses outside of your field of study that align with your interests and goals. Your major advisor is committed to help you set and achieve your postgraduate goals, whether you are considering graduate school, pursuing research opportunities, or exploring career options.

Embrace the chance to work closely with your major advisor as you progress; with their mentorship and support, you will be well-equipped to excel in your chosen field and achieve your aspirations.

Student Success Advisor (SSA)

Our dedicated team of professional Student Success Advisors at the Filene Center for Academic Advising is here to guide you throughout your time at Wheaton, providing individualized support tailored to your interests and ambitions.  Whether you are exploring different courses or considering a specialized major, our SSAs are equipped to recommend the best academic paths, resources and opportunities to match your needs. With a focus on your unique needs as you progress, they will help you design paths through the Compass Curriculum that align with your goals.

If you are seeking enrichment opportunities, interested in applying for grants, have questions about academic policies and requirements, are facing academic difficulty, need advice, or are considering various professional options, our SSAs are here to help.

Peer Advisor

The Peer Advisor provides invaluable support to new first-year students, helping them to successfully transition into college life at Wheaton and successfully navigate their academics. Peer Advisors are embedded within a specific section of First Year Experience (FYE), working closely with the course faculty to enhance the learning experience for students both in and out of the classroom.  Peer Advisors help students learn how to use academic technology/tools, understand academic processes, explore courses, connect with campus resources, and develop effective study habits and strategies.

Meet the Academic Advising staff

Forms

Links

  • Use the Course Search Tool to view course options in a given term
  • Use the College Catalog on the web for viewing academic programs, policies, courses, and course descriptions

Access the following links for information on academic credit or course placement for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Please refer to the College Catalog for more information. Students must meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss implications specific to academic planning, course selection and degree progress:

General Office Information

Email: [email protected]

Hours: Monday to Friday  8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 508-286-8215
Fax: 508-286-5621

Location: Discovery Center, Kollett Hall

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @wheatonadvising

Effective practices, core values, and assessment of Academic Advising at Wheaton informed by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising.