The Modernization of Academic Advising

Sitting in the bright, newly opened Prikkel Advising, Career, and Experience (PACE) Center, just weeks after it welcomed its first students, it’s clear that something meaningful is happening at Saint Mary’s. Today, through intentional programming in the Avenue Experience and the integration of Academic Advising and Career Services within the PACE Center, opportunities for student support and success are expanding. While Career Services connects students to experiences like job shadowing, professional mentoring, and traditional internships, the College’s Academic Advisors have evolved toward a modern, relationship-focused support system for students. Emily Pantelleria Graham ’21 is one of four Academic Advisors at Saint Mary’s. We sat down with her recently to ask about the evolution of the advising process—and what it’s like to be back at her alma mater on the other side of the advising desk.

You first stepped into this role almost a year ago. What is different about academic advising compared to when you were a student?
Before this year, academic advising was organized by class year, which meant students had a different advisor every year. Today, our academic advisors are organized by specific majors, which means that all first-year students will keep the same advisor all four years. Now, academic advisors take a look at all courses available across the College, and help students think about what might complement their major. On day one, we want all students to know that we are here and they can ask us anything. We are going to be here for them for their entire four years.

Walk us through a typical advising conversation from the first meeting to building a four-year plan?
As a first-year student, we start with selecting their First-Year Seminar and other general education classes as part of the Avenue Experience. After that, together we sketch a general outline of their four-year plan. As the first year progresses, we check in regularly, to assess what might need to be moved around, or to look at in upcoming semesters. They will still work with a faculty advisor in their major on specific curriculum needs, but this process makes that much easier.

How do you support students who are undecided in their major?
We have a specific advisor for students who are undecided—and to be clear, being undecided is perfectly okay. Students do not need to have their lives figured out the second they step on campus. What their advisor will do is ask the student what they are interested in. From there, the student and advisor will select some general education courses that fit the student’s specific interests; this also allows students to take full advantage of their liberal arts education. By participating in the Avenue Experience, the undecided student can take full advantage of the courses offered at Saint Mary’s, and to learn about a world they want to explore.

What about students who transfer into Saint Mary’s?
I actually work with transfer students during their first two semesters—it is one of the highlights of my job. They arrive at Saint Mary’s knowing exactly what they want, often after having had a college experience somewhere that wasn’t necessarily a good fit. So they arrive intentionally. I meet with them at least twice a semester to make sure they are on track, feel welcome, and have all the resources they need. 

From your perspective, what makes the revised advising experience here feel uniquely supportive and student-centered? 
Because we’re a small school, our team can watch carefully to ensure no student slips through the cracks. We’re not separated into different buildings or into different colleges like a larger school might have. So, if a student wants to switch her major, as a team we can provide individualized support. If she is struggling, we can be a listening ear and connect her with resources. Modernizing this program means we are responding to the immediate needs of our students in real time, ensuring they really know just how much we want them to thrive while they are here, and how excited we are to see them launch into the world after graduation.

What do you want prospective, first-year, transfer, and current students to know?
You don’t have to have your entire plan figured out; that’s why we’re here to help you! And we will still be here to support you even if that plan changes. We want students to understand that it’s also okay to struggle. I see a lot of students who are used to getting straight A’s and find themselves frustrated and comparing themselves to others. Being on your own for the first time can be really scary, stressful, and daunting. You don’t have to walk this journey alone, especially when it gets hard. We’ll do everything we can to assist you in graduating on time.

April 8, 2026