For a lot of students, "going to see my advisor" means one thing: figuring out which classes to register for next semester. But according to the advisors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), that's just the beginning of what their office can help with.
We sat down with two CLAS academic advisors — Angela Lowe, who primarily works with humanities students, and Jordan Coulter, who advises pre-health, biology, chemistry, physics, and math students — to talk about what advising really looks like, and why students shouldn't be afraid to walk through the door.
It's About More Than Registration
Students often come to advising expecting help with one thing: enrollment. But Lowe says that's only part of the job.
"I think students generally know us for helping with getting classes, getting enrolled for classes, and I think they are surprised when they learn we can help with so much more," Lowe said. That includes navigating personal circumstances, exploring alternative pathways when a semester doesn't go as planned, or even helping a student figure out whether withdrawing is the right call.
Coulter put it simply: "Our motto is always, if we don't know the answer, we usually know who does." Even if a question doesn't feel "advising-related," advisors can point students toward the right campus resource.
"I think students are surprised when they learn we can help with so much more."
How To Prepare for an Appointment
Not sure what to expect walking into your first advising meeting? Coulter recommends starting with your degree audit.
"That's usually the place that every advising appointment starts," he said. "We want to check on your progress, check on the classes you're doing, and make sure everything looks good." But students don't need a fully formed agenda — a simple check-in works too, and specific questions often surface naturally during the conversation.
For students who feel hesitant to reach out, Lowe suggests easing in with an email. "That is a perfectly acceptable way to communicate with us," she said. "We'd rather have the silly questions than no questions at all, because otherwise we don't know what's going on."
How Often Should Students Meet With Their Advisor?
There's no strict requirement to meet with an advisor — unless a student has an advising-related hold — but both Lowe and Coulter recommend at least once a semester, ideally before registration opens.
"My advice generally to students is: as soon as you feel like there's an issue coming up, you should just come see us," Coulter said. The CLAS advising office holds drop-in hours Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, and with ten advisors on staff, there's almost always someone available.
Booking an Appointment
For CLAS students, connecting with an advisor is straightforward. "You can reach us by email, you can always come to our front desk in the North Classroom Annex across from the Qdoba, and Navigate is the best way to make an appointment with us in CLAS," Coulter said. Other CU Denver colleges offer similar options through their own front desks and drop-in hours.
Advising Isn't Just About Classes
Beyond degree plans and registration, advisors say they're happy to talk with students about whatever's on their mind — including life after graduation.
"We want to be able to be a sounding board, be somebody you can chat with about anything that goes on in this crazy, weird period in your life," Coulter said. Lowe added that the advising team brings a wide range of backgrounds and experience, both in and outside higher education, which shapes how they support students navigating life after CU Denver.