Who is My Advisor?

Every student in the Department of Mass Communications is assigned a faculty or professional advisor based on their major or area of study. Your advisor serves as your primary point of contact for academic planning, degree progress monitoring, and navigating university requirements. Knowing who your advisor is and how to reach them is essential for your academic success at VSU.

Contact an Advisor

Finding Your Assigned Advisor

To identify your current advisor:

1. Review the Advising List on Mass Communications Department Advising Website
2. Your assigned advisor's name and contact information will be listed

If you cannot locate this information, contact the Department of Mass Communications located in the New Harris Hall Building, 1st floor. Office staff can identify your advisor and provide their contact information.

How Advisors Are Assigned

Advisor assignments are based on several factors:

By Last Name: Students who have declared a major in the Department of Mass Communications are typically assigned to a faculty member within their department after successful passing 39 hours at the University. These faculty advisors bring specialized knowledge of your field and can provide mentorship specific to your academic and career interests.

First-Year Students: First-year students are assigned to professional advisors after 39 successful hours to ensure they receive focused support during the transition to college-level academics.

Transfer Students: Transfer students who meet the 39 hour requirement after an evaluation of credits may initially work with a faculty advisor in the Department of Mass Communications based on their last name.

Advisor Contact Information

Once you have identified your advisor on the department's advising website you can then reach out to them about office hours and availability. The most reliable sources for advisor contact information include:

• The Mass Communication's Advising Website
• The Department of Mass Communications Office located in the New Harris Building, 1st Floor.

Most advisors maintain regular office hours and are available by email for an inquiry too. When reaching out to your advisor for the first time, introduce yourself, include your student ID number, and briefly explain your reason for contacting them.

When Your Advisor Changes

Advisor assignments may change due to several common circumstances during your time at VSU. These changes are normal parts of academic progression and university operations, though they can sometimes feel disruptive. Understanding why advisor changes occur helps you navigate transitions smoothly and ensures you maintain consistent advising support. The most common reasons for advisor reassignment include:

• Declaring or changing your major: When you officially declare or change your major, you will be reassigned to an advisor in your new department
• Faculty departures: If your advisor leaves VSU or changes roles, the department will assign you a new advisor
• Academic progression: Some students transition to other faculty advisors as they advance through the department

You will be notified through your VSU email when your advisor assignment changes. Check your student portal after declaring or changing your major to confirm your new advisor assignment.

Requesting a Change of Advisor

While advisor assignments are made to provide appropriate expertise for your academic situation, you may request a change of advisor if circumstances suggest a different advisor would better serve your needs. The department recognizes that advising relationships function best when there's a good fit between student and advisor, and legitimate reasons for requesting a change are considered carefully. Valid grounds for requesting an advisor change include:

• You prefer to work with a faculty member whose research or teaching aligns with your specific interests
• You are experiencing significant communication difficulties with your current advisor
• You believe a different advisor would better support your academic goals To request an advisor change:

1. Download and complete the Change of Advisor Request form (available in the Forms on the department's advising website section)
2. Provide a brief explanation for your request
3. Submit the completed form to the Department of Mass Communications Office after a discussion with your current advisor in the department

Requests are reviewed by the department chair who will consider your circumstances and available advisor capacity. Not all requests can be accommodated, particularly if they create unmanageable advising loads for specific faculty members.

What If I Can't Reach My Advisor?

If you are unable to reach your advisor after multiple attempts, or if you need immediate assistance during your advisor's absence, several support systems exist to ensure you receive timely help. The department understands that advising needs sometimes arise when your specific advisor is unavailable, and backup resources are in place to prevent delays in your academic progress. If you're having difficulty connecting with your advisor, consider these options:

• Contact your advisor's department Department staff can help you reach your advisor or connect you with backup coverage
• Reach out to the Academic Center for Excellence which can provide general advising support or help you contact your advisor
• For urgent matters during registration periods, the ACE Center can provide temporary assistance to ensure you can complete time-sensitive tasks

Faculty advisors may have limited or no availability during summer months, finals periods, or sabbaticals. If your advisor will be unavailable for an extended period, your department may be able to provide temporary advising coverage.

Building a Relationship With Your Advisor

Your advisor is a valuable resource throughout your time at VSU. Strong advising relationships are built over time through consistent, professional interaction and mutual respect. The quality of your advising experience often correlates directly with the effort you invest in the relationship, and small actions can significantly enhance the support you receive. To develop a productive advising relationship:

• Introduce yourself early in your academic career, even if you don't have immediate questions
• Attend advising appointments prepared and on time
• Communicate respectfully and professionally in emails and meetings
• Keep your advisor informed about significant changes in your academic plans or circumstances
• Follow through on action items and recommendations from advising sessions

Remember that your advisor has expertise in academic policies and your field of study, but you are ultimately responsible for your academic decisions and progress. Use your advisor as a knowledgeable resource while taking ownership of your education.

Special Advising Situations

Some students may work with multiple advisors or specialized advising resources based on their unique circumstances or program participation. These additional advising relationships complement rather than replace your departmental advisor, creating a comprehensive support network tailored to your specific needs. If you participate in special programs or have unique academic situations, you may benefit from coordinated advising across multiple campus offices:

• Honors students may have both a departmental advisor and an honors program advisor
• Pre-professional students (pre-law, pre-med, pre-health) may work with specialized pre-professional advisors in addition to their departmental advisor
• Student-athletes receive additional advising support through Athletics Academic Services
• Students with disabilities work with Disability Support Services in addition to their academic advisor

If you have specialized advising needs, your departmental advisor will need to know so that they can help coordinate with these additional resources to ensure you receive comprehensive support.