This semester, students have been troubled by dense advisor schedules and difficulties scheduling meeting times as Emporia State enters its first full year with a professional advising staff and steers away from the use of professors as the primary advisors for students. However, these difficulties are likely to smooth over as students and advisors acclimate to new workflows and more full staffing.

Academic advisor Meghan Williams joined the advising team this October as an academic advisor. She has already received training and begun helping students. 

“I watched Shelby (Clark) a lot and I spoke with the advising center in Plumb Hall. It’s been a super easy transition,” Williams said.

Senior academic advisor Shelby Clark helped to contextualize the difficulties students may have faced in getting their meetings scheduled.

“We had a person leave over the summer and we weren’t able to get someone hired by enrollment,” Clark said. “That was a one time thing.” 

In the past, students have been able to enroll themselves in classes using pins, a broad policy by the advising team that varies between advisors.

“I don’t do that, we try to stay cohesive. There’s a little bit of advisors doing as they wish, but I don’t like giving out pins. Especially for seniors. There are too many possible ‘what ifs,’” Clark said. 

For students looking to avoid a hectic advising schedule and trying to get enrolled as early as possible, Williams offered the advice to “look as soon as enrollment opens.” 

“Those appointments fill super quick. Email and reach out and have a conversation, don’t always just rely on the booking app,” she said.