Advising Philosophy at HBU
The “light” which guides a student's path to academic success is ACADEMIC ADVISING. After a student has registered, he/she is assigned a faculty academic advisor in the major(s) the student has chosen. If a student's major is Undeclared, then he/she is assigned an advisor from the Success and Advising Center staff. All academic advisors will serve and assist students with educational and career planning, discuss academic success and failures, and help with course selections.
Effective academic advising of students is an essential aspect of the educational experience at Houston Baptist University. HBU is committed to quality advising that promotes student learning and student involvement at HBU.
Advising is a student-centered interactive process designed to increase student success by promoting effective and ongoing contact between students and advisors. Faculty serve as advisors, foster student academic success, and outline steps to help students achieve personal, academic, and career goals. The advising process at HBU empowers students to make responsible academic and career choices, to set and fulfill their educational goals, to increase their critical thinking and decision-making skills, and to grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
Academic Advisors partner with students to:
- Define and plan their educational career
- Develop critical thinking, solve problems, and make informed decisions
- Explore academic options
- Identify available resources to match their needs
- Monitor academic progress and achievement
- Interpret university policies and procedures and degree requirements
- Navigate the academic and organizational paths of the institution
- Make their own decisions responsibly
- Select appropriate courses and complete degree requirements
- Develop interpersonal and leadership skills by promoting involvement in on-campus, off-campus, and co-curricular experiences
- Identify and participate in programs and experiences that are consistent with their abilities, strengths and interests
- Make meaningful connections with faculty and staff
- Discern the relationship between academic preparation and life goals
Our student-centered advising recognizes:
- The importance, dignity, potential and unique nature of each student
- That each student is ultimately responsible for accessing available resources in the pursuit of their educational goals
- That advising is an extension of teaching and that faculty should be primary in this program, deliberately challenging students, assessing progress toward students' goals and referring students to other resources as appropriate.
- The importance of timely, proactive and appropriate training, information and support for students
- The importance of self-evaluation and on-going assessment to maintain a quality advising program
Student-centered developmental advising:
- The focus of advising is based on strengths and potentialities
- The efforts of the academic advisor and the student are oriented towards growth and development of the student
- The relationship between the academic advisor and the student is based on trust and respect and features equal and shared problem solving
- The evaluation of the student’s success and of the advising program is a shared process
Who Are Advisors and How to Change Majors
Academic advisors are HBU faculty members. As a new student, you are assigned advisor according to your intended major after you have initially registered for your first semester. If you want to change your major, you may do so at any time by visiting the Success and Advising Center. Academic advisors are available to assist you with educational and career planning, discuss academic successes and failures, and help with course selection each semester.
How Students and Advisors Should Work Together
| Students Should |
Advisor Should |
| Make and keep appointments. Call if need to make a change or cancel. |
Inform a student of his or her office hours, phone and email contact information. Keep appointments, call or email to change or cancel |
| Come with specific questions |
Provide accurate, specific information or refer student to someone who can. |
| Bring necessary materials such as, transcripts, articulations, official forms, or a degree plan |
Have or know where to access necessary materials, such as , Change of Major/Advisor Form, Degree Plan Declaration Form, Request for Undergraduate Transfer Credit ( to change a transfer elective credit to equivalent credit,) etc. |
| Be open and honest about study habits, academic progress, etc. |
Listen and help students set goals and priorities. Refer students to available help on campus when it is needed. |
| Make choices concerning careers, choice of major, and course selection. |
Suggest options concerning career, choice of major, and course selections. |
| Acquaint themselves with policies and regulations in the university catalog and website. |
Interpret policies when students have questions, or refer students to someone who can. |
Majors and Degrees:
Quick Links:
Houston Baptist University's Colleges and Schools:
College & School Contact Information
College of Arts and Humanities (COAH)
Dean: Dr. Diane Lovell (Martin)
Rosemary Fojtik
Ext. 3282
rfojtik@hbu.edu
School of Art
Mr. Michael Collins, Director
Ext. 3624
UAC 231
School of Theology
Dr. Randy Hatchett, Director
Ext. 3358
ATWDI 230
Communication and Rhetorical Studies Department
Dr. Marie Mater, Chair
Ext. 3603
History and Government Departments
Dr. Ron Rexilius, Chair
Ext. 3394
Languages Department
Ext. 3610
UAC
School of Music
Dr. John Yarrington, Director
Ext. 3027
ATWDI 226
School of Business
Dean: Dr. Mohan Kuruvilla
Kari Martin
Ext. 3325
kmartin@hbu.edu
School of Education
Interim Dean: Dr. Alice Ledord
Giovanna Pennick
Ext. 3094
gpennick@hbu.edu
School of Nursing and Allied Health
Pat Allison (Career Counselor)
Ext. 3430
pallison@hbu.edu
College of Science and Mathematics
Dean: Dr. Doris Warren
Norvelie Denton
Ext. 3013
ndenton@hbu.edu
Success and Advising Center (SAC)
Director: Jim Hutchison
jhutchison@hbu.edu
Ext. 3063
Secretary: Pat Young
Ext. 3359
pyoung@hbu.edu
Updated 8/26/2009
- Content Author
CarnesC1 
