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Faculty & Staff


The Office of Academic Advising is part of Academic Affairs. SUNY Plattsburgh’s advisement system is one of the primary guidance and retention mechanisms in support of the preparation of our diverse student population for a range of professional careers. Advisement insures that students are informed of the college’s expectations and supports them throughout their educational experience. 

SUNY Plattsburgh has a “decentralized” academic advisement system —academic advising is primarily the responsibility of the faculty within respective academic departments.

Strengthening Student Success


Academic advising helps students to realize the maximum educational benefits available by helping them to better understand themselves and to learn to use any available resources to meet their educational needs and aspirations. 

Academic advising is a multifaceted activity. Advising should assist students to clarify their values and goals, understand the nature of higher education, obtain accurate information about requirements and policies, plan a program consistent with their interests and abilities, and monitor their educational progress

Benefits of Academic Advising

A positive advisor/advisee relationship has many benefits for students. Students are more likely to attain their educational goals, achieve GPAs consistent with their ability, be satisfied with the advising process and develop a positive attitude toward the institution.

Academic advisors are a critical factor in student retention. The ultimate goal of campus-wide retention efforts is to increase the academic achievement, satisfaction, and persistence rate of students.

As an academic advisor, you facilitate the student retention process by being sensitive to legitimate student needs and interests, encouraging their involvement in course and campus activities, and providing specific, positive feedback about academic progress and development. Identify students whose legitimate needs and interests we do not meet, and become knowledgeable about campus resources to meet them. Cooperate with other faculty and staff to use such resources on behalf of dissatisfied or uninvolved students. Help students assess whether it is the right time to be at Plattsburgh and if Plattsburgh is the right place for them, or assist them in exploring alternatives.

Advising Guides


Students who have declared majors are assigned faculty academic advisors within their majors. If the student’s academic advisor is unavailable, the student should see the respective department chair. The Academic Advising Office is directly responsible for the academic advising of undeclared and transitional students.

Students should be referred to their academic advisors or department chairs for all matters pertaining to degree requirements — inclusive of general education requirements, major/minor requirements, college policies and procedures, academic concerns, as well as to seek referrals for other college-related or personal issues.

Academic departments address major-specific degree and policy/procedure requirements. 

Roles & Responsibilities

Advising Resources

Outstanding Academic Advisor Award


This award seeks to recognize a faculty academic advisor who has proven to be an extraordinarily conscientious, supportive, and inspiring advisor/mentor to advisees.

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