Filene Center for Academic Advising, Support & Accessibility
Located in Kollett Hall-Discovery Center
Mission
The Filene Center for Academic Advising, Support & Accessibility is dedicated to fostering student success through holistic and student-centered support. Academic Advising, Peer Tutoring/Advising, and Accessibility Services teams work in partnership to create a welcoming learning environment that empowers students to explore and achieve their goals. Through supportive relationships, personalized educational experiences, and skill-building opportunities, we help students develop as emerging scholars and engaged members of the Wheaton community.
Vision
The Filene Center strives to be a national model for integrated academic advising, learning support, and accessibility services, ensuring that all students thrive. By providing proactive, collaborative, and individualized support, we help students maximize Wheaton’s opportunities in academics, research, honors/scholars pathways, personal and professional development, and global engagement. Through inclusive advising and academic support practices, we work to foster a culture of academic excellence, resilience, and belonging.
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, you’ll be 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 help you successfully transition into college life at Wheaton as a new, first-year student. Peer Advisors are embedded within a specific section of First Year Experience (FYE), working closely with the course faculty to enhance your learning experience both in and out of the classroom. Peer Advisors help you learn how to use academic technology/tools, understand academic processes, explore courses, connect with campus resources, and develop effective study habits and strategies.
Setting You Up for Success
Our supportive community is here to help you thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Tutoring and Academic Resources
We offer free group and individual peer tutoring in a variety of subjects. Stop by the Advising Center in Kollett Hall during our tutors’ posted hours.
Accessibility Services
We strive to provide equitable access to the technology, programs, services and facilities to ensure an inclusive living and learning environment. Learn more about our Accessibility Services.
Other Helpful Resources
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:
- Information on credit for Advanced Placement (AP) (pdf)
- Information on credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) (pdf)
Advising Resources for Faculty
View our Academic Advising Handbook.
The process of advising provides an opportunity for students to access individualized support and have the chance to holistically develop their academic and professional goals. This handbook serves as a guide to the philosophy, values, policies and approaches to academic advising by faculty and staff advisors at Wheaton College, MA.
For more faculty resources, please view the Faculty Resources Hub.
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 (pdf), 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.