Wallace State’s Advising Center busy during summer months; preparing for Lions’ Pride orientations

HANCEVILLE, ALA. –  One of the busiest departments at Wallace State during the summer semester is the Advising Center where multiple advisors are assisting current and incoming students, preparing them for the fall 2016 semester.
“Summer is always an exciting time for faculty and staff on a college campus and especially for our advisors. It’s an opportunity to meet our newest students and help them get started on a path that will meet their goals and introduce them to many opportunities available to them at the college,” said Dr. Matthew McCrickard, Wallace State’s Director of Advising. “We are excited again to welcome students to Lions’ Pride this summer – our new student orientation session.”
Lions’ Pride, an annual summer event on campus, is designed to give new Wallace State students a head start into their college careers, helping them learn more about the college and allowing them to meet one-on-one with an advisor in order to build their fall semester schedule.
Wallace State is offering five Lions’ Pride orientations this summer beginning with the initial session on Tuesday, June 28 at 1 p.m. Other sessions are scheduled for July 12, July 14, July 25 and July 27. All sessions are at 1 p.m. and will be conducted throughout the Wallace State School of Nursing and Center for Science building.
McCrickard, who joined Wallace State as Director of Advising in October 2014, added tweaks to the Lions’ Pride orientation last summer, including allowing students the option to explore and attend specific pull-out sessions dedicated to areas like financial aid, academic success strategies or campus activities.
“We have faculty mentors on hand at Lions’ Pride in addition to a professional advising staff to assist students with making appropriate course selections based on their area of interest. We are focused on students choosing four career pathways that encompass the majority of our instructional programs at the college. We’ll work to make sure the students are started off on the right path during their initial semester at Wallace State and on a successful path to where they can graduate on time and move straight into the workforce or continue their education at a university or college,” said McCrickard, who came to Wallace State after spending more than 11 years as Associate Registrar at Belmont University in Nashville.
Students can also leave the Lions’ Pride orientation fully registered for fall classes.
“We’ve spread the sessions out over a month so students can enjoy their summer while still finding a time that best fits their schedule to come and meet with advisor and plan for their enrollment,” McCrickard said. “Lions’ Pride is important for new students to attend because it gives them a clear idea of what to expect in the fall. Transitioning to college is a big life change for a lot of students, and we want to make sure they know they have interested mentors on campus in a very dedicated faculty and staff. All of us want our students to be successful.”
If a potential new student decides to apply for admission to Wallace State after the Lions’ Pride sessions are complete, it’s not too late to get enrolled for the fall semester, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 17.
McCrickard and his staff are always eager to help students map out an academic plan. The Advising Center is located on the first floor of the James C. Bailey Center.
“We are happy to serve students at any point during the year. Students who make a decision to attend college after Lions’ Pride can certainly see us in the advising center, and we’ll get them well on their way to enrollment this fall,” McCrickard said.
The opening day of each fall semester marks the first time many students have entered a college classroom. As a student adjusts to the unique attributes of a college setting, McCrickard suggests they should never be reluctant to ask questions.
“Embarking on something new can bring about anxiety for all of us. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are faculty and staff scattered across this campus in strategic locations to help all students,” McCrickard said.
Another important resource on campus is Wallace State’s Lion Central desk, located in the lobby of the Bailey Center. Lion Central is the main campus hub where students can ask questions, seek information, receive advising or iron out any admission or financial aid requirements, among other opportunities. All front-line Wallace State offices are housed at the Bailey Center, helping streamline and simplifying the student experience.
Wallace State advisors are accessible to all students in the Advising Center, no matter if one is beginning their collegiate journey or if they are approaching the final semester before graduation. Wallace State’s Advising Center is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can contact the Advising Center at 256.352.8040.
“It’s important for everyone to remember that there are a lot of resources available to students online and through their fingertips. However, having the opportunity to talk with an advisor or mentor is a valuable part of the college experience. It provides students with deeper connections to their institutions and with their fields of study,” McCrickard said. “I’ve been able to see a diversity of advising ideas through other stops, but the top priority is students come first. We try to streamline systems to make sure our students have a seamless transition from their first day of class as a freshman to celebrating on graduation day.”
Fall registration continues through Tuesday, Aug. 23.The complete list of fall classes found online at wallacestate.edu/current-schedule.
For more information about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu.
 

 

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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722    256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu
 
Kristen Holmes
Communications & Marketing Director, and
Administrator, The Evelyn Burrow Museum
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW | Hanceville, AL 35077
E-mail: kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
Office: 256.352.8118 | Cell: 256.339.2519 | Toll Free: 866.350.9722