Welcome

As a student at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, your success is important to us. Academic Advising at Reynolds is guided by College Policy 1-19 (Academic Advising), which essentially encourages first-year and non-curricular students to meet with academic advisors in any campus Student Success Center, and encourages second-year degree students, Career Studies Certificate (CSC) and Certificate students to meet with faculty advisors.

Getting Started

If this is your first semester at Reynolds, it is important to obtain as much information as possible for a successful transition. JSRCC offers multiple ways for you to get the advice you need.

However before participating in any of the following, it is important to make sure you take the College’s placement test so that we can adequately assess your skill levels in reading, writing, and math. You can learn more about testing at our College’s Testing Center.

Student Orientation Advising & Registration (SOAR)
SOAR is JSRCC’s new student orientation program that offers an opportunity to meet with College faculty and staff, learn about College policies and procedures, tour campuses and obtain an overview of various services. Students may also receive academic advising and register for classes. SOAR is highly recommended for recent high school graduates, but is open to all new students.
>> Learn more

Group Advising
Group advising sessions are short, two to three-hour sessions where new students can receive academic advising by a staff member in any campus Student Success Center. You can also register for classes and learn about College policies and procedures during one of these valuable sessions. Group advising sessions are open to anyone, but are targeted for students that may not be able to attend SOAR due to obligations with work.
>> Learn more

If you are unable to attend a SOAR or Group Advising session, it is important that you meet with an academic advisor to receive valuable information that will assist you in achieving your educational goals at Reynolds.

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Meeting an Academic Advisor

At Reynolds, there are several ways you can meet with an academic advisor. New and non-curricular students are encouraged to meet with advisors in any campus Student Success Center.

Academic advisors are prepared to inform you about JSRCC’s policies and procedures, academic program requirements and College services. First-year students (or students with less than 30 credits), and non-curricular students should go to the Student Success Centers to receive advising.

Students with more than 30 credits at the College, or who are enrolled in a Certificate or Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program, should meet with a faculty advisor in their selected program. A list of faculty advisors can be found here. Remember, be prepared for your advising session.

Before meeting with an academic advisor, it is important to prepare for the advising session by doing the following:

• Develop a list of questions to ask about your academic program and its requirements
• Write down or memorize your student identification number (EMPL ID)
• Bring any additional information that will help the advising session such as placement test scores, unofficial transcripts from previously attended schools as well as JSRCC, etc.
• Develop a good understanding of the demands on you for the upcoming term (e.g. work, family or other outside commitments)
• Have an idea about what you might like to do professionally. If you do not have an idea about your career goals, don’t worry – you can meet with a College advisor in our Career, Employment, & Transfer Center

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Career and Transfer Advising

The success of our students beyond college is important to us. To supplement academic advising, Reynolds provides transfer and career advising for students either seeking to transfer to a four-year college or university or those that require direction for a career. Staff in the Career, Employment, & Transfer Center is available to assist students in the development of academic plans that will easily transfer to the institution(s) of their choice. Advisors can also help students determine the most appropriate academic program(s) by administering career interest inventories such as Discover and the Strong Interest Inventory.