About Us

Our Mission

Academic advising is a continuous educational process that connects the student to the institution. Our mission is to provide an integrated program of effective academic advising. The primary focus of Advising First is the retention of students into their graduation year at Florida State University. To accomplish this task, students are encouraged to view Advising First as the face of the university.

Advising First assists undergraduate students in numerous ways. By working together, the Advising First advisors help students to make a successful transition to, and establish their place in, university life. Through this relationship, students learn to take responsibility for learning how to set academic, career, and personal goals and the strategies needed for achieving these goals. Advisors assist students with course selection, in particular those courses that meet FSU Liberal Studies' requirements, so that students are able to graduate in a timely manner, successfully meeting all university requirements.

Advising First takes a proactive approach to academic advising. Advisors are dedicated to enhancing each student's academic and career aspirations. We do this by showing an interest in the personal and professional development of students, being skilled listeners and serving as referral agents for other support services at the institution. Advisors are knowledgeable about university, college and departmental policies and procedures and are accessible to students via office hours, phone and e-mail.

Who Are We?

"Advising First" is a program within the Division of Undergraduate Studies at Florida State University. The program places professional academic advisors throughout the University's many academic units as well as other off-site locations to assist undergraduate students with a variety of academic and non-academic issues. Currently, Advising First has approximately 40 professional advisorsworking in numerous locations across campus.

What We Do?

Advising First advisors provide academic advising to help FSU students meet liberal studies, major and university requirements. Along with being housed in colleges and departments, Advising First advisors are also available in the UCA Advising Center, the WJB Exploratory Advising Center, HCB Advising Center, Strozier Library, and a variety of other "floating locations" across campus.

The Exploratory Advising Center focuses on advising freshman and sophomore students who are not ready to declare an intended major. This center works closely with undecided/exploratory students to help them take the appropriate liberal studies and introductory courses while exploring their available academic and career options. The UCA Advising Center focuses on assisting students with major changes and working with students who are required to change their major under the university's mapping system, a process we call re-vising.

Why Should You Come to See Us?

In order to graduate from FSU, students must complete a combination of Liberal Studies, University, and major requirements. Meeting all of these requirements can sometimes feel overwhelming for students. Advising First advisors are extremely knowledgeable about these requirements, and can work closely with you to make sure that you stay on an efficient path toward graduation.

Our Directors

Kathleen Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Director,
Advising First Center for Exploratory Students

John Carter, Associate Director

Nikki Raimondi, Ph.D., Associate Director

Doug Waddell, Director

For general information, please email or call Bonnie Williams at 644-2838.

Bonnie Williams, Office Manager

Valerie Adams, Program Assistant, Major Changes

Nikki Ross, Program Assistant, Receptionist


	Directors Greetings About Us -Meet The Directors -Mission Find Your Advisor Advising First Workshops Prospective Student Resources Current Student Resources Parent Resources Advisor Resources			About Us Our Mission Academic advising is a continuous educational process that connects the student to the institution. Our mission is to provide an integrated program of effective academic advising. The primary focus of Advising First is the retention of students into their graduation year at Florida State University. To accomplish this task, students are encouraged to view Advising First as the face of the university. Advising First assists undergraduate students in numerous ways. By working together, the Advising First advisors help students to make a successful transition to, and establish their place in, university life. Through this relationship, students learn to take responsibility for learning how to set academic, career, and personal goals and the strategies needed for achieving these goals. Advisors assist students with course selection, in particular those courses that meet FSU Liberal Studies' requirements, so that students are able to graduate in a timely manner, successfully meeting all university requirements. Advising First takes a proactive approach to academic advising. Advisors are dedicated to enhancing each student's academic and career aspirations. We do this by showing an interest in the personal and professional development of students, being skilled listeners and serving as referral agents for other support services at the institution. Advisors are knowledgeable about university, college and departmental policies and procedures and are accessible to students via office hours, phone and e-mail. Who Are We? "Advising First" is a program within the Division of Undergraduate Studies at Florida State University. The program places professional academic advisors throughout the University's many academic units as well as other off-site locations to assist undergraduate students with a variety of academic and non-academic issues. Currently, Advising First has approximately 40 professional advisorsworking in numerous locations across campus. What We Do? Advising First advisors provide academic advising to help FSU students meet liberal studies, major and university requirements. Along with being housed in colleges and departments, Advising First advisors are also available in the UCA Advising Center, the WJB Exploratory Advising Center, HCB Advising Center, Strozier Library, and a variety of other "floating locations" across campus. The Exploratory Advising Center focuses on advising freshman and sophomore students who are not ready to declare an intended major. This center works closely with undecided/exploratory students to help them take the appropriate liberal studies and introductory courses while exploring their available academic and career options. The UCA Advising Center focuses on assisting students with major changes and working with students who are required to change their major under the university's mapping system, a process we call re-vising. Why Should You Come to See Us? In order to graduate from FSU, students must complete a combination of Liberal Studies, University, and major requirements. Meeting all of these requirements can sometimes feel overwhelming for students. Advising First advisors are extremely knowledgeable about these requirements, and can work closely with you to make sure that you stay on an efficient path toward graduation. Our Directors Kathleen Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Advising First Center for Exploratory Students John Carter, Associate Director Nikki Raimondi, Ph.D., Associate Director Doug Waddell, Director For general information, please email or call Bonnie Williams at 644-2838. Bonnie Williams, Office Manager Valerie Adams, Program Assistant, Major Changes Nikki Ross, Program Assistant, Receptionist