Student Advising Center
"Academic Advising is all about making students feel that they can be successful ... Our students come to us with academic goals ... with career goals ... with life goals ... They come to us with dreams and passions. They come to us wanting to become people that they aren't now. They come to us wanting to not only better themselves but better their families, better their communities, better their cities, better their countries, better the globe ... That's why we do what we do. That's why academic advising is important ... it's about changing students' lives." - Charlie Nutt (Past NACADA Executive Director, 2014).
Academic Advising Mission Statement:
At Saint Xavier University, academic advising is a pivotal component of the educational experience, used to empower students to think critically and to explore and identify academic and career interests. Through guidance and mentorship, advising encourages academic excellence and accountability and helps students to realize their full potential.
Academic Advising Philosophy:
Academic advising is a shared responsibility between student and advisor. Advisors work to inspire students by building relationships, empowering self-awareness and reflection, connecting students with appropriate resources, fostering personal development, and supporting various college-to-career pathways. Although advisors provide guidance and recommendations, students are ultimately responsible for making academic decisions and satisfying degree requirements.
Academic Advising practices at Saint Xavier are guided by the National Academic Advising Association's (NACADA) core competencies and core values as well as guidelines provided by the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in Higher Education.
The Student Advising Center (formerly known as the Center for SUCCESS) is located in L-208. Questions? Please email studentadvisingFREESXU.
If you need assistance with career development, please visit the Career Development Center or email careerdevelopment@sxu.edu.
Contact Student Advising Center
- Office: WAC L-208
- Phone: 773-298-3131
- Email: studentadvisingFREESXU
- M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Navigate is a coordinated care network used by faculty, staff and students to improve the
student experience, leading to increased retention and graduation rates.
Scheduling is for current students only.
Need help deciding a major or career?
Use FOCUS 2 to help narrow down your options and learn more about majors and career pathways that are right for you.
Explore FOCUS 2Who are Academic Advisors?
Academic advisors play a crucial role in guiding and supporting students throughout their educational journey. Academic advisors serve as:
- Educators
- Advocates
- Mentors
- Experts
- Career Guides
- Resource-People
By engaging in the academic advising process at Saint Xavier University, students will be able to: Recognize the value of general education as it relates to real-world skill development. Self-advocate and seek appropriate academic and support resources as needed. Demonstrate understanding of advising technologies, including the student planning system. Articulate academic and career goals, including the steps required to achieve them.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Recognize the value of general education as it relates to real-world skill development.
- Self-advocate and seek appropriate academic and support resources as needed.
- Demonstrate understanding of advising technologies, including the student planning system.
- Articulate academic and career goals, including the steps required to achieve them.
Expectations of Students and Advisors
Advisor Expectations
Advisors are champions of student success and should aim to build meaningful relationships with students to guide them along their academic and career pathways. As part of their role, advisors should:
- Maintain regular contact with advisees by conducting check-ins to identify barriers and see how students are socially, emotionally, and academically.
- Develop meaningful relationships with students by learning their interests, skills, and values to help them connect career aspirations with curricular interests and program requirements.
- Stay current on institutional rules, policies, general education requirements, program requirements, advising best practices, and relevant technology, (e.g., Student Planning, Navigate, mySXU portal, and Canvas).
- Ensure confidentiality and professionalism throughout the advising process and adhere to FERPA.
- Engage in available professional development opportunities and training.
- Assist students with course planning, program information, and degree requirements and provide resources and information to help encourage and promote academic progress.
- Guide students in recognizing the significance of general education --specifically a liberal arts education-- for holistic growth, critical thinking, and versatile career opportunities.
- Provide an interactive, collaborative and encouraging environment based on mutual trust, respect, open communication and shared responsibility.
- Make appropriate referrals when needed and collaborate with student support services to ensure that students' individual needs are identified and addressed.
Student Expectations
Students are expected to actively participate in the advising process and take a proactive approach to achieving their academic and career goals. As part of the process, students should:- Maintain regular contact with the advisor by scheduling and attending appointments and regularly checking email.
- Demonstrate openness by effectively communicating to the advisor any challenges that affect academic performance and goals.
- Understand the advising process as a shared responsibility between the academic advisor and advisee.
- Engage in career discussions with the advisor and share career interests, values, and skills to explore how these align with academic pursuits.
- Stay informed and current on academic requirements, program evaluation, and general education requirements.
- Recognize the value of a liberal arts education and general education as a foundation for personal and professional growth.
- Exhibit professionalism by consistently arriving on time for appointments, being prepared with necessary materials, and demonstrating respect for the advisor's time and expertise.
- Utilize available tools and resources and seek assistance when needed.
Four-Year Success Plan
The Four-Year SUCCESS Plan outlines various academic and professional tasks to complete while in school to help students achieve academic and career success. Students will frequently discuss the Four-Year Success Plan with an academic advisor as they continue their academic journeys. To access a printable version of the Four-Year SUCCESS Plan, please refer to page three of the Career Readiness Guide.
Champ's Kitchen
Champ's Kitchen is an on-campus food pantry located within Saint Xavier University's Warde Academic Center aimed to alleviate hunger on campus so students can continue to focus on their studies and succeed in their chosen academic and career pathways.
The food pantry is located in Room L-208 in the Warde Academic Center and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Champ's Kitchen at Saint Xavier University was created in response to a 2019 nationwide
survey by Temple University's Hope Center, which determined 39% of students experienced
food insecurity. Saint Xavier University has a high number of in-need, Pell-eligible
students and Champ's Kitchen provides a way to alleviate hunger on our campus and
get students the fuel they need to continue to be successful in their studies.
Advising Policies
Students must declare a major before reaching 60 credit hours to stay on track for graduation, with a registration hold applied to those who do not comply until a major is declared. Federal financial aid only covers courses required for a student's degree program, so enrolling in unrelated courses may lead to a loss of aid for those credits, though payment plans and private loans are available as alternatives. Minors are permitted as long as their courses count toward degree requirements, but certificate programs remain ineligible for Title IV financial aid. Advisors play a key role in ensuring students declare majors on time, review their degree audits regularly, and understand the financial consequences of taking non-program courses. Financial Aid will alert students about ineligible courses, and students can confirm their course eligibility for aid through the student portal.
For more information, please refer to SXU's Advising Policies page.
Advising Documents, Forms, and Resources
Advising and registration forms (Add/Drop, Audit, Change of Name or Address, Change of Grade, Change of Major, Intent to Minor, and Pass/Fail Grade Request) can be accessed through the Records and Registration webpage. Students may access the Academic Calendar and Academic Catalog below.
- Academic Calendar: a listing of important dates and events tied to academics at the University.
- Academic Catalog: an official University document that includes course descriptions, academic program information, and academic policies and procedures.
Records and Registration
For all official forms tied to records/and or registration, please visit the Records and Registration Form webpage.
Visit PageImportant Offices and Points of Contact
Meet the Staff
Tatiana Alaraj
Director
Phone: 773-341-5026
Email: alaraj@sxu.edu
Gloria Avalos
Academic Advisor
Phone: 773-341-5892
Email: avalos@sxu.edu
Monica Laddaran
Academic Advisor
Phone: 773-298-3135
Email: laddaran@sxu.edu
Pamela Longstreet
Office Manager
Phone: 773-298-3131
Email: longstreet@sxu.edu
Alex Mendoza
Academic Advisor
Phone: 773-298-3013
Email: amendoza@sxu.edu
Jacqueline Naranjo
Assistant Director
Phone: 773-298-3121
Email: naranjo@sxu.edu
Dania Vega
Academic Advisor
Phone: 773-298-3120
Email: dvega@sxu.edu