Missoula College Advisors

Missoula College students seeking an Associate of Arts (AA) degree are advised by the three advisors in the Academic Advising Center. Missoula College students pursuing other degrees or certificates are advised by faculty members in their specific program.

Please refer to the Who is My Advisor? webpage for help locating your specific advisor if you are not a General AA student. 

What is Academic Advising?

Academic advising is a reciprocal partnership between you and your advisor; both parties are required to be a full participant in the process. We encourage students to take ownership of their own education and, in return, advisors help students by giving them the tools and knowledge necessary to meet their academic goals. 

The National Academic Advising Association's (NACADA) Concept of Academic Advising sums up the goal of academic advising perfectly: 

Through academic advising, students learn to become members of their higher education community, to think critically about their roles and responsibilities as students, and to prepare to be educated citizens of a democratic society and a global community. Academic advising engages students beyond their own world views, while acknowledging their individual characteristics, values, and motivations as they enter, move through, and exit the institution.

Academic Advising at UM

Academic advising is critical to student success at University of Montana. All undergraduate students are required to meet with their advisor at least once each semester to review educational progress, discuss future plans and secure schedule approval prior to registration. Additional meetings are recommended for information and guidance on dropping and/or adding courses, changing/declaring majors, exploring available resources and ensuring that graduation requirements are met.

Faculty and professional advisors, as well as peer advising assistants facilitate positive academic advising experiences by:

• helping students to develop mentoring relationships with faculty and professional staff,
• encouraging students to fulfill their obligation to plan in advance for advising sessions,
• educating students to understand and accept their responsibilities in the advising process and for advising decisions, and
• promoting frank and productive dialogue about the student's academic goals.

Students improve their academic planning and success by fully using the advising services and by learning about the academic requirements of their major fields, and the University policies for registration and graduation. The UM catalog is the official source of information on these matters. Although advisors are available to assist students, it is important for students to realize that the ultimate responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements is their own.