Academic Advising

Directors of Undergraduate Study (DUS)

Directors of Undergraduate Study in each department are available to answer questions about the advising system and the undergraduate major. If you find it's necessary to change faculty advisors, simply request a new assignment from your department's DUS.


Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors are often the first faculty that students meet on a personal basis. They can help you choose courses, identify research opportunities, and assist with issues pertaining to their fields of study.

Remember that graduate and professional schools require letters of recommendation, so building a strong relationship with college faculty is one of the best ways to prepare for recommendation letter requests. Students should cultivate these relationships very early in their academic career. Appointments can be made with faculty advisors by going to office hours or contacting faculty directly through email. Check the Human Ecology faculty directory for a faculty listing in each department.


College Counselors in the Office of Student and Career Development

Counselors in the Office of Student and Career Development can help students explore and define personal, academic, and career goals; obtain an overview of college and university programs; become informed about college policies and graduation requirements; identify resources for academic and career planning, and provide study abroad advising. These counselors are also available for specific career planning, in medicine and health, law, business, and design.


College Counseling Staff

  • Darryl Scott, Director
  • Paula Jacobs
  • Verdene Lee
  • Patti Papapietro
  • Paul Fisher, Study Abroad

Services Available

  • Academic advising
  • Alumni-student programs
  • Career development counseling
  • Career exploration workshops
  • Clarification of major requirements
  • Communecology
  • Cornell CareerNet
  • Experiential learning opportunities
  • Interpretation of academic policies
  • Multicultural student services
  • New student orientation
  • Premed and prelaw
  • Resume development
  • Study abroad advising
  • Transfer student support

Academic Support Services

If you find yourself struggling in a course, there are people available to talk with you.

Start by speaking with the professor of the course. If you have a TA, talk with that individual. Your faculty advisor or a counselor in the Student and Career Development Office may also be able to help. Other resources include:

  • The Learning Strategies Center provides academic support for undergraduates in all academic units at Cornell. It provides students with tutoring and supplemental courses in biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics and physics. Assistance in improving general study skills is available through semester long courses, workshops, individual consultations, and online resources.

  • The Writing Walk-In Service is a resource for every writer on campus. Tutors can discuss questions about the writing process or about particular pieces of writing such as letters of application, personal statements for graduate and professional school, creative writing, proposals and reports, as well as academic papers at any stage of their composition. The tutoring staff also works with questions of self-confidence about writing, critical reading and analytic thought, and the active use of the imagination.

  • The College provides special programs and academic support for students preparing for careers medicine and health and law, and for those planning to attend graduate school.