Create your path. Stay on track.
Academic advising is essential to your success as an undergraduate student. Your advisor will help you understand policies and procedures, assist you in selecting majors and courses, and encourage you to engage in campus and community activities. These experiences enrich your college experience, while also helping you realize your dreams and reach your goals.
Academic Advising Center
Advising at the University of Iowa is designed to grow with you academically. Your advising team will change as your needs change. First-semester students and those with fewer than 30 semester hours are advised in the campus-wide Academic Advising Center, where the center’s advisors specialize in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa.
Departmental advising
As a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student with a declared major and 30+ semester hours of credit, you will transition to a departmental advisor. CLAS advisors are located within departments and specialize in providing expert guidance tailored to the majors they serve.
Students with multiple programs of study may have multiple advisors. You’ll visit your primary advisor for registration, but we all work together to help you meet your academic and career goals. Find and schedule with your advisor(s) using MyUI.
Academic advisors
First-year students and those with fewer than 30 semester hours (s.h.) earned are advised at the Academic Advising Center. The Center’s team of advisors specializes in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa. Working with an assigned caseload, the advisors help each student plan for a successful academic start at Iowa.
An academic advisor will be assigned for history students who have earned at least 30 semester hours.
Academic advising questions for students who have earned 30 semester hours or more can be directed to:
Colleen Kelley
Senior Academic Advisor
172 Schaeffer Hall
319-335-2065
colleen-kelley@uiowa.edu
Scheduling an individual appointment is recommended if you would like to review your degree audit, map out a plan to graduation, or have other questions for which you would like to have an extended conversation.
Advisors are available to assist students with the following:
- Advisor signatures on add/drop and other university forms
- Questions about course registration
- Questions or problems with your degree audit
- Academic probation
- Review of study abroad courses for major credit
- Discussions regarding adding second majors, minors, and certificate programs
- Information regarding campus resources for students
- Questions about navigating campus resources
In addition, history majors who achieve junior standing have the opportunity to be matched with a faculty mentor–perhaps a professor whose course you particularly liked, or a professor whose interests you share. Your advisor can help you select and connect with a faculty mentor if you’re not sure how to get started. You will still meet with them each semester for routine advising functions such as course selection–but you may also wish to discuss your semester planning with your faculty mentor.
Faculty mentors can also:
- Help you define and explore your interests within the discipline of history or in conjunction with interdisciplinary work
- Advise you on major research projects and honors theses
- Discuss your ideas about what to do after graduation
For additional questions about undergraduate studies, students may also contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the History Department:
Nick Yablon, PhD
Director of Undergraduate Studies / Professor
107 Schaeffer Hall
nick-yablon@uiowa.edu
319-335-2306
Getting started with academic advising
Verify your advisor and program
Your advisor may change. Verify your primary advisor and their office location. Your program(s) of study are listed in MyUI and include your majors, minors, certificates, or pre-professional programs. If any of this needs to be updated, contact your advisor.
Review your degree audit
Check your degree audit regularly to ensure you understand your program requirements and how courses will count. Contact your advisor if you have questions.
Prepare for registration
Visit your advisor each semester to discuss courses and registration. Your primary advisor can also assist with schedule changes, including adding and dropping.
Seek academic support
Your advisor can help you work to improve your academic performance whether you are on academic probation or want to improve your GPA. Ask about support for your academic success.
Next steps
Plan for graduation
Collaborate with your advisor to create a plan for graduation that incorporates all your programs. Review this plan with your advisor(s) regularly and ask questions about your progress toward degree completion.
Find student resources
The University of Iowa provides resources for social, health, well-being, financial, and academic support. Your advisor can help you navigate campus services.
Explore engagement opportunities
Learn about student organizations, study abroad, service, research, internships, and honors in your major.
Set your goals
Discuss your interests and future educational and career goals. Your advisor can help you plan for graduate and professional study and can connect you to the Pomerantz Career Center.
More about Academic Advising in CLAS
For more information, or to find an advisor in another department, visit the CLAS Advising Network.