Common Academic Advising Questions

What is academic advising?

Academic advising is an ongoing, shared partnership between you and your advisor that focuses on practically helping you identify, plan and achieve your academic, career and life goals.

In an academic advising session you and your advisor may engage in:

• Developing an awareness of your values, interests, abilities, skills and potential
• Identifying academic, career and life options and goals
• Choosing an academic program
• Strategically planning out steps toward graduation
• Identifying effective academic study skills and habits
• Solving problems that impede your progress toward an academic goal
• Referring you to appropriate campus resources
• Learning how to use the my.NMSU.edu account and the STAR Degree Audit
• Selecting courses
• Registering for classes

"The fundamental purpose of academic advising is to help students become effective agents for their own lifelong learning and personal development. Our relationships with students, the questions we raise, the perspectives we share, the resources we suggest, the short-term decisions and long-range plans we help them think through all should aim to increase their capacity to take charge of their own existence."

— Arthur W. Chickering

Who is my academic advisor?

If you have declared a specific DACC major, you are advised by a DACC faculty advisor in your program and/or a professional advisor in your academic division. See the Advising Directory for more information.

The DACC Academic Advising Center serves as a resource for the following students:

• Transitional students including University Transition Program (UTP) students and other Unclassified students who choose DACC as a place to begin their college career.
• First-year pre-health students who are completing prerequisites to a competitive admission program (Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Dental Assistant, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Respiratory Care, and Dental Hygiene).
• First-year Pre-business associate degree seeking students.
• Undecided students who are declared as Associate of General Studies majors until they either declare into a DACC major or graduate.
• Non-degree seeking students such as those taking courses for their own enrichment or as directed by their employer.

When should I meet with my academic advisor?

New students will meet with their academic advisor and register for classes as part of their DACC New Student Orientation.

Transfer and Readmitted students should make an appointment with their academic advisor once their DACC admission is complete.

Continuing students should plan ahead and meet with their academic advisor every semester well in advance of continuing student registration according to the table below:

 

To register for the . . .	Continuing student registration begins . . .	Make a planning appointment with your advisor during this time frame . . .
Upcoming Spring semester	Early November	September and October
Upcoming Summer and/or Fall semester	Early April	February and March

 

Need help choosing a major?

Aside from resources introduced by your academic advisor, the DACC Counseling Office specializes in Career Counseling including:

• Self-assessment into your interests and abilities, values and lifestyles
• Keirsey Temperment Sorter II
• Choices career inventory
• Understanding occupations and current job market trends
• Making the connection between DACC majors and current jobs
• Career research and major decision-making strategies

These services are offered free of charge to DACC students and anyone thinking of becoming a student at DACC. For a Career Counseling Appointment, contact:

Dr. Larry Sharp	Counseling Coordinator	(575) 527-7548	lsharp@nmsu.edu
Jim Payne	Counselor	(575) 527-7548	jpayne@nmsu.edu

 

Contact Us

The Academic Advising Services Center consists of:

Academic Advising Center Adminstration

Brad C. Mazdra	Coordinator	(575) 527-7519	bmazdra@nmsu.edu
Becky Rodriguez	Records Specialist	(575) 528-7272	berodrig@nmsu.edu

Full-Time Academic Advisors

Rose Mary Flores	Asst. Coordinator	(575) 527-7684	rosemflo@nmsu.edu
Ricci Montes	Asst. Coordinator	(575) 528-7062	rimontes@nmsu.edu

Part-Time Academic Advisors

Judy Chavarria	Part-time Advisor	(575) 528-7272
Phyllis Dilliard	Part-time Advisor	(575) 528-7272
Joan Dormody	Part-time Advisor	(575) 528-7272
Dwayne Perrigo	Part-time Advisor	(575) 528-7272
Liz Yarrington	Part-time Advisor	(575) 528-7272

Academic Advising Services Center Location:
DACC Main Building (DAMA), Room 116, Las Cruces Campus

Hours of Operation:
Academic Advising hours are Monday - Friday. planning sessions, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Appointments are preferred for most advising needs. Walk-ins are welcome for quick questions. The office operates exclusively on a walk-in basis the first week of each semester and during continuing student classification registration.

Contact us:

By Mail	By Phone	By Fax
DACC Academic Advising Center MSC 3DA, P.O. Box 30001 3400 South Espina Street Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001	(575) 528-7272 or toll free 1-800-903-7503	(575) 527-7763

DACC Satellite Center Advising Contacts:

Homer Bernal	East Mesa Center	(575) 528-7045	bhernal@nmsu.edu
Ray Diaz	Gadsden Center	(575) 882-3939	raydiaz@nmsu.edu
Manuel Hernandez	Sunland Park Center	(575) 874-7787	mhernand@nmsu.edu
Sharron Tamplen	White Sands Center	(575) 678-6198	stamplen@nmsu.edu

 

Did I register for the right classes?

After registering for classes, please review your courses, times, days and location of the courses immediately. You can pick up an official registration document at the DACC Registration Office, Main Building, Room 115 or at the appropriate satellite center. If you have any questions about the applicability of your classes or if you find any errors in the class title, class time, room and building numbers, or credits listed, please consult with your academic advisor for help.

How do I withdraw from all my classes?

If you are a DACC student and you need to completely withdraw from all courses, you may withdraw at the DACC Registration Office, Main Building, Room 115. If you stop attending classes but do not officially withdraw, you may receive failing grades for all your courses. In this case you will also be liable for all tuition and fees.

Will I get a refund if I withdraw from classes?

Depending on when you withdraw, you may be eligible for a refund. Check the Schedule of Classes to determine how much you may be eligible to receive refund. Percentages are based upon the total charges for the semester and not upon the amount you have paid.

May I repeat a class?

You may repeat a course in which you earned a D or F grade at DACC or NMSU. A computable grade (excluding I, W, RR, AU, CR, S, or U) in a repeated course may be substituted in the calculation of the grade-point average, though the original grade also remains on the transcript. The first occurrence with a C or better grade will count in earned/passed hours. Future attempts will not count in earned/passed hours. If you repeat a course eligible for grade substitution in which you have earned a D and then fail the course, the second grade of F will not be substituted for the original grade.

Neither credits nor grade points may be earned by repeating a course for which a grade of C or higher has already been received.

NOTE: For Financial Aid restrictions on repeats, contact your Financial Aid Advisor.

What other campus resources does DACC offer?

Computer Lab

The lab provides open access to computing resources, the internet and Web CT (for online classes) as well as other services. DAMA, Room 85, 527-7561.

Career Counseling

Career testing and counseling are available to help you make a realistic and satisfying career choice. Through these processes, students gain information about themselves and their interests, aptitudes, and character traits. A Counselor can also assist you in making important choices for your future, and will help you get in touch with your personal values and goals. With the help of a computerized career-development system, you can obtain current statewide and national occupation information. DAMA, Room 117, 527-7548. Limited career counseling services are also available at the East Mesa Center, Sunland Park Center, Gadsden Center and White Sands Center.

Tutorial Services

One-on-one learning assistance is provided free of charge in credit programs. Tutoring is available in the Student Success Center, DAMA Room 83, 527-7646. Limited tutorial services also are available at Sunland Park Education Center, Gadsden Education Center and White Sands Education Center.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid will help you apply for federal and state grants, loans, and work-study funds (to get an on-campus job) as well as a variety of scholarships sponsored by a variety of state, community, and private sources. DAMA, Room 115, 527-7696.

Library

The DACC library offers a variety of resources in both print and non-print formats, and promotes the latest information technologies and electronic resources. Learning Resources Building, Room 260, 527-7555.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Services for Students with Disabilities facilitates special learning services, located in DAMA, Room 117, 527-7548.

Placement services

Placement services can help you find a job during and after your training at DACC. Placement services include pre-employment training, résumé writing, resource materials, posted job listings, assistance in locating part-time or temporary employment, and arranging referrals. DAMA, Room 99, call 527-7538

Cooperative Education

If you are in your last year of study, cooperative education may be for you. Under this program, you put into practice what you have learned in school in an actual working environment, earning both money and college credit. Contact the Co-op Office in DAMA, Room 99, or call 527-7525 for more information.

Personal Counseling

Personal Counseling is available through the DACC Counseling office. DAMA, Room 117, 527-7548. Limited counseling services are also available at the East Mesa Center, Sunland Park Center, Gadsden Center and White Sands Center.

Student Activities, Clubs and Student Government

Student organizations broaden your interests through participation in different activities and events. DAMA, Room 109, 527-7618.

Veterans’ Benefits

Students with military veterans' eligibility may be certified to receive educational benefits by registering with our VA certifying official located in DAMA, Room 116. See the Student Services section of the catalog for details, or call 528-7244.

Housing

You may choose to make housing and meal plan arrangements through the NMSU Housing and Dining Services if you plan to live on campus. NMSU Educational Services Building, 646-3202, NMSU Housing Office.