FAQs for Current Students

When do I get a CEC faculty advisor assigned to me?

Your CEC faculty advisor will be assigned to you prior to the first day of classes of your first year at Miami. This will be your advisor throughout your time in that major at Miami. Please note that if you change majors this will likely affect who your assigned faculty advisor is.

How do I know or find out who my faculty advisor is?

There is an advisor listed on the “Student” tab of your myMiami home page. All students have a faculty advisor assigned to them, and should go to that faculty advisor with all academic questions.

Am I required to meet with my faculty advisor, and if so, how often?

There is no requirement to meet with your faculty advisor or any other advisor at Miami. However, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you meet with your faculty advisor at least once per semester. Our experience with advising success stories is that students who meet with their advisor at least once per semester are more likely to complete their degree most efficiently and be most aware of co-curricular and career opportunities than are students who do not often meet with their faculty advisor.

What can my faculty advisor tell me that I won’t find on the curriculum guide for my major?

Advising is far more that just which courses you should take. Your faculty advisor is aware of modifications to the curriculum that could benefit you, which semester certain courses are offered, one-time course offerings on special topics, undergraduate research or study abroad opportunities, career advice, interesting seminars related to your major and other valuable knowledge. Having a good relationship with your faculty advisor could also lead to meaningful letters of recommendation that go well beyond surface-level information about you. In other words, letters of recommendations that get you jobs or graduate/professional school opportunities!

What is the best way to contact my faculty advisor?

This will depend on your faculty advisor’s preference. Some faculty prefer to be contacted via email to set up an appointment, some want you to call them, some want you to come during their office hours and some just want you to stop in. It often depends on the type of job that they have. Chief CEC Advisor Dr.Brian Kirkmeyer, for example, prefers that you email him to set up an appointment, because he is often away from his desk at meetings, yet can access email remotely and email messages provide a trail of correspondence easily documented. You might try sending an initial email to you advisor, introduce yourself, asking to meet with him/her and asking how he/she would prefer that you make an appointment.

When in doubt who I should contact?

If you don’t know to whom you should address a question, contact Dr. Brian Kirkmeyer at kirkmebp@MiamiOH.edu and he will guide you appropriately.