Undergraduate Advising & Student Services

WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING & STUDENT SERVICES 

In light of the university's decision to limit staff on campus, advisors are currently available by email and remote advising appointments. Our advising team is looking forward to returning to campus in August 2021. We will share updated appointment procedures at that time. For more information on the university’s COVID policies, please visit Kent State's coronavirus information page. Advisors are currently offering 30-minute remote meetings for Summer and Fall 2021 course planning. For quick questions, please email your advisor.  

Our goal is to promote student success by creating an on-going partnership between students and advisors. Academic advisors provide knowledge regarding degree requirements, campus resources to assist students in understanding the value of a liberal arts education. Kent State University undergraduate students are required to meet with their academic advisor in the college once per semester.  

Academic advisors can assist you with: 

• Staying on track academically.  
• Review and update your graduation planning system (GPS). 
• Discuss your ideas for future coursework. 
• Remove your registration pin so you can enroll in upcoming semester courses. 

Your academic advisor is determined by the first letter of your last name:   

• Last names A - I: Lawrence Epps  lepps@kent.edu 
• Last names J - Q: Michael Gershe  mgershe@kent.edu 
• Last names R - Z: Maríssa McKinney mmckin18@kent.edu  

Email Advising 

Students may email their academic advisor with quick questions or concerns. Email advising should not be utilized for course planning, as the conversation that influences the advisor's course recommendations cannot be accommodated. Allow up to two business days for a response. When emailing your advisor, always include: 

• Your name, Kent State ID number and a detailed description of your question or concern. 
• If your question is about an issue with course registration, copy and paste the exact error message. 
• If the course is NOT in our college, we cannot authorize you for it. You must contact that department directly. 

Schedule an Advising Appointment   CAE Course Waitlist Procedures    Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing for your advising appointment 

Here are some tips to remember as you prepare for a productive meeting with your advisor. 

Schedule 

• Schedule your advising appointment in advance. At peak times of the year, appointments book up quickly and availability may be limited. 
• Show up on time for your advising appointment. If you are unable to make your appointment, please refer to your appointment email to cancel the appointment well in advance.  
• Make sure to provide your Kent State ID number in all correspondence. This is NOT the number on your Flashcard. You can look up your Kent State ID in the MyAccount tab of FlashLine. 

Preparation  

• Think about your goals, major options and progress in your courses (if currently enrolled). Ask yourself: What are your educational and personal goals? What do you need next semester? Are you thinking about internships or research? Are you having difficulty with course material or time management? What strategies have helped you overcome academic challenges?  
• Monitor your progress towards graduation. Review your Roadmap and GPS Audit in Flashline. 
• Prepare a selection of courses. Include those that you would like to take or think you may need for your degree or transfer plan.  

During Your Appointment 

• Participate and be engaged in the advising process. Academic advising is a two-way street. We need to know what your educational and academic goals are in order to be able to point you in the right direction. 
• Ask questions. This is your opportunity to get answers to your academic questions or concerns. 
• Take notes. You and your academic advisor may discuss a great deal of information, and notes can be useful to refer to later.