Academic Advising
At times, navigating your way through college can be tricky. That’s why we have two comprehensive academic advisors to help you out.
Which best describes you?
First-Year Students
or students with less than 30 credits
The Academic Advising Center will advise all first-year students newly admitted to degree programs or those with fewer than 30 credits at UAF. During this time, students will receive comprehensive advising, including essential skills, resources, and academic support.
Who it’s for: First-year students or students with 0-30 credits in four-year degree programs.
What it accomplishes:
- Provides comprehensive support for your first 30 credits.
- Partners with departmental advisors to ensure you build a strong academic foundation.
- Equips you with the skills, resources, and academic guidance you need to succeed throughout your degree.
Once you’ve completed 30 credits, you’ll transition to an undergraduate advisor within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) if your degree is housed there.
If you're a first-year student or have fewer than 30 credits, visit the Academic Advising Center for tailored support and resources!
CLA Undergraduate Advising
with 30 credits or more
Our CLA undergraduate comprehensive advisors can assist with registration, petitions, change of major requests and answer any number of questions related to the college experience. Advising appointments are available in person, via telephone or via email.
As you get further in your degree, undergraduate students who have declared a major within the College of Liberal Arts can meet with CLA undergraduate department/program advisors and discuss specialty questions about their major/minor, practicums, internships and capstone projects.
Meet our CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advisors
Who it’s for: Undergraduate students within the College of Liberal Arts, who have completed 30 credits or more.
What it accomplishes:
- Assists with registration, petitions, changes of major, and a wide range of college-related questions
- Offers specialized support for student-athletes, veterans, and others with unique needs
- Ensures you stay informed about the latest policy changes and academic requirements
Daniel Darrow
Lead Undergraduate Comprehensive Academic Advisor
College of Liberal Arts
Gruening Building, Room 503 G
Schedule your advising appointment with Daniel if you are in a student in one of the
following departments/programs: English, Global Languages & Literatures, History, Justice, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy,
Political Science and Social Work.
To schedule your advising appointment, use the button below or consider visiting during
the drop-in hours.
Grace Carroll
Undergraduate Comprehensive Academic Advisor
College of Liberal Arts
Gruening Building, Room 503 F
Schedule your advising appointment with Grace if you are a student in one of the following
departments/programs: Anthropology, Arctic and Northern Studies, Art, Communication, Film & Theatre, Journalism
and Psychology.
To schedule your advising appointment, use the button below or consider visiting during
the drop-in hours.
Drop-in hours and scheduling CLA undergraduate advising appointments:
Meet our CLA Undergraduate Department/Program Advisors
Who it’s for: Undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor within the College of Liberal Arts and have specialty questions about their major/minor.
What it accomplishes:
- Provides in-depth guidance on your specific major or minor
- Helps you choose upper-division courses that align with your academic and career goals
- Discuss practicums, internships, and capstone projects
- Supplements comprehensive advising by offering specialized knowledge from faculty advisors within your department
- Patrick Plattet, Undergraduate Program Coordinator
- Brandon Boylan, Department Chair
- Zoë Marie Jones, Art History
- Teresa Shannon, Ceramics
- Miho Aoki, Computer Art
- Jamie Smith, Drawing
- Patricia Carlson, Metalsmithing
- Da-ka-xeen Mehner, Native Arts
- Sasha Bitzer, Painting
- Charles Mason, Photography
- Sasha Bitzer, Printmaking
- Wendy Croskrey, Sculpture
- Nike Jacob, Undergraduate Program Coordinator
- Eileen Harney, Undergraduate Major Advisor
- David Henry, Department Chair
- Tyler Kirk, Department Chair
- Charles Mason, Department Chair
- Jerry Babcock, Graduate Program Coordinator
- Jeff May, Pre-Law (Justice majors)
- Patrick Marlow, Department Chair
- Jaunelle Celaire, Voice
- Sean Dowgray, Percussion
- Daniel Strawser, Lower Strings
- Yue Sun, High Strings
- Eduard Zilberkant, Piano
- Seth Jones, Department Chair
- Brandon Boylan, Department Chair
- Carol Gray, Pre-Law (Political Science majors)
- Jen Peterson, Department Chair
- LaVerne Demientieff, Department Chair
- Maya Salganek, Film
- Carrie Baker, Theatre
- Kade Mendelowitz, Theatre & Film
- Carol Gray, Program Coordinator
Graduate students
Graduate students at UAF don't meet with CLA undergraduate comprehensive academic advisors. Instead, they work with CLA Graduate Program Coordinators or department chairs from within their field of study to develop a study plan, form an advisory committee, and manage their research according to university guidelines.
Students must form their advisory committee within their first two semesters and submit it to the Graduate School. The committee, led by the advisor, guides the student’s progress and includes at least three members for Master’s students and four for Ph.D. students. Non-UAF experts can also serve, sometimes as co-chairs. The committee oversees the study plan, exams, and thesis or dissertation, meeting regularly to assess progress.
Who it’s for: Graduate students pursuing advanced degrees within the College of Liberal Arts.
What it accomplishes:
- Guides you through the development of a personalized study plan to meet your degree goals.
- Assists with key milestones such as comprehensive exams, research projects, and thesis/dissertation completion.
- Ensures timely progress through regular evaluations and feedback from your advisory committee.
- Provides expertise specific to your department to help navigate academic policies and procedures.
Graduate students do not meet with CLA undergraduate advisors. Instead, they appoint an advisory committee to guide them through their degree program. CLA has designated department graduate coordinators who will guide you through this process.
Meet our CLA Graduate Department/Program Advisors
- Sveta Yamin-Pasternak, Graduate Program Coordinator
- Brandon Boylan, Department Chair
- Zoë Marie Jones, Art History
- Teresa Shannon, Ceramics
- Miho Aoki, Computer Art
- Jamie Smith, Drawing
- Patricia Carlson, Metalsmithing
- Da-ka-xeen Mehner, Native Arts
- Sasha Bitzer, Painting
- Charles Mason, Photography
- Sasha Bitzer, Printmaking
- Wendy Croskrey, Sculpture
- Tori McDermott, Graduate Program Coordinator
- Sarah Stanley, Department Chair (MA)
- Daryl Farmer, Graduate Advisor (MFA)
- Anita Black, Graduate Program Coordinator
- Patrick Marlow, Department Chair
- Jaunelle Celaire, Voice
- Sean Dowgray, Percussion
- Daniel Strawser, Lower Strings
- Yue Sun, High Strings
- Eduard Zilberkant, Piano
More information about advising for graduate students can be found by browsing the Graduate Student Handbook.
Non-degree seeking students
or prospective Nanooks
Nondegree-seeking students at UAF can receive advising for course selection and academic planning through UAF Admissions. To register, new nondegree students must complete a free application and obtain necessary permissions. While advising is optional, it's recommended for those taking 9 or more credits in a semester or with 30 or more UAF credits.
Nondegree students must meet placement exam requirements for certain courses, and if they later wish to pursue a degree, they must apply for admission and meet the usual requirements. Nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid or priority registration, and graduate students should note that credits earned as a nondegree student may not count toward a graduate degree.
Who it’s for: Individuals interested in taking courses without pursuing a degree or exploring UAF as potential students.
What it accomplishes:
- Provides course selection assistance for non-degree students
- Connects prospective students with current students to explore UAF
- Offers guidance on admissions, academic planning, and becoming a Nanook
Student self-service portal
The resources you need to calculate your GPA, find your forms, appeal grades and more.
The Navigate Student app connects you to Nanook Navigator which integrates advising,
early intervention and success initiatives to support students from enrollment to
graduation.
- View your advisors and success team
- Schedule or cancel advising appointments
- Check in for drop-in appointments
- View your courses and class schedule
- Message faculty and staff
- Find a study buddy
- Learn what's going on around campus and more
- (PDF)
On Handshake you can:
- Discover hundreds of jobs and internships
- Receive personalized recommendations based on your interests
- Connect with employers
- Network with peers
- Find events and career fair information
- Sign up for on campus interviews
- Access Handshake through the website or app:
Get the information and tools you need for your campus life on the go, including:
- Shuttle tracking
- Campus map
- Dining menus and ordering
- Blackboard access
- News and events
- Push notifications
- Download:
Use the UAF Nanook Recreation app to:
- Gain access to Nanook Recreation facilities
- See facility hours and calendars
- Sign up for intramurals and group fitness classes
- Rent outdoor gear, fitness equipment and lockers
- Access skating and climbing programs
- Download: