Undergraduate Advising

Who We Are

The SOC Undergraduate Academic Advising Office is located in Room 300 of the Mary Graydon Center on the main campus of American University. The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on University holidays. All undergraduate academic advising appointments should be made using SOC's advising appointment calendar online. It is not possible to schedule a same day appointment; an appointment can be scheduled up until midnight the day before the appointment. Walk-in appointments are also available during the fall and spring semester, see the information below for your specific Academic Advisor's walk-in hours.  

Academic Advising

Erin G. Curtin
Academic Advisor
Last Names: A-F
Phone: (202) 885-2079
E-mail: ecurtin@american.edu
Walk-in hours: Tuesday 10:30 a.m.-noon, Wednesday 2:00 p.m.-3 p.m., Thursday 2 p.m.-3 p.m, Friday 10:30 a.m.-noon
(Times are subject to change without notice)

Ashley Ackerley
Academic Advisor
Last Names: G-O
Phone: (202) 885-2088
E-mail: ackerley@american.edu
Walk-in hours: Monday-Friday 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
(Times are subject to change without notice)

Jill Swiatowy
Senior Advisor for Recruitment and Retention
Phone: (202) 885-2038
Email: swiatowy@american.edu
Appointments available by request

WhAT WE DO

SOC Undergraduate Academic Advisors work with students to create a challenging academic program to launch their careers. Students are required to meet with their Academic Advisor at least once each semester to plain their course schedule for the next semester. However, students are encouraged to meet with their Academic Advisors several times over the academic year to discuss education plans, review the degree audit report (DARS), evaluate academic progress and requirements, and discuss other education/career opportunities.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN ADVISING APPOINTMENT

It is not possible to schedule same day appointments; an appointment can be scheduled up until midnight the day before the appointment. Examples of topics that could be covered in a 20 minute appointment include:

• Declaring an SOC major and other major/minor related paperwork or concerns
• Registration clearance and class schedules for upcoming semesters
• Long-range academic planning
• Study Abroad planning
• Major/minor/career exploration
• Other topics that you want to discuss in detail and would like a designated time to do so 

Walk-in advising is reserved for brief concerns that will take no longer than 10 minutes. Example of topics that could be discussed during walk-in advising include:

• Questions about how/where a COMM class fits within degree requirements
• "What if I drop _____ from my schedule?" 
• "What if I add _____ to my schedule?"
• "Where can I find the Academic Calendar?" (hint: the Office of the Registrar's Web site)
• Information about registration for the Senior Professional Internship
• Other topics that require brief answers and/or discussion - a signature on a form, an inquiry about your degree audit report (DARS), etc.