College of Arts & Sciences Advising

Team Arts & Humanities Majors: Art, Communication, English, History, Journalism, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Therapy, Philosophy, and Theatre

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Majors I advise: Art, Communication, English, History, Journalism, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Therapy, Philosophy, and Theatre

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Patti Kirk

Team Leader, Arts & Humanities, Academic Advisor III

Phone: 239-745-4261

E-mail: pkirk@fgcu.edu

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What do you like about academic advising?

Interacting with students and faculty, and working in concert with Departments that help students' success.

Hometown: Newport, RI

Majors I advise: Art, Communication, English, History, Journalism, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Therapy, Philosophy, and Theatre

Top five strengths: Student-centered, Calm, Advocate, Accommodator, Team Player

Hobbies: Poetry, Film, Music, Wine, Mindfulness

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Shari Alvanas

Academic Advisor II

Phone: 239-590-7434

E-mail: salvanas@fgcu.edu

Team Natural Sciences Majors: Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Marine Science, Physics

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What do you like about academic advising?

I like the fact that advising is the only structured service on a college campus in which all students have the opportunity for on-going, one-to-one contact with a concerned representative of the institution.  Academic advising is a relationship building experience!  I enjoy building relationships with students over time as they navigate the academy.  I enjoy crafting pathways for students in their academic pursuits. I like that I am part of their academic journey as I get to be a “sage on the stage” by using my expertise to share knowledge with them through advising and teaching them about their majors and being a “guide on the side.” I enjoy using my skills to engage them in first-hand learning through program requirements, degree plans and experiences. I like the fact that advising plays a vital role toward student success in enhancing their journey from the point of matriculation through to graduation.

Hometown: St. Catherine, Jamaica

Majors I advise: Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Marine Science, Physics

Top five strengths: Collaborative, Empathetic, Respectful, Sincere, Committed/Dedicated

Hobbies: Reading, Traveling, Running, Listening to music, Playing word games, Watching movies, and Broga - Yoga for Brothers

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Dr. Locksley Knibbs

Team Leader Natural Sciences, Academic Advisor II

Office: SH

Phone: 239-590-1424

E-mail: lknibbs@fgcu.edu

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What do you like about academic advising?

I enjoy helping students reach their goals.

Hometown: Georgetown, South Carolina

Majors I advise: Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Marine Science, Physics

Top five strengths: Approachable, Easy-going, Caring, Dedicated, Hard Working

Hobbies: Biking, Astronomy, Fishing, Reading, and Traveling

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Rodney Dennison

Academic Advisor II

Office: MH

Phone: 239-745-4260

E-mail: rdennison@fgcu.edu

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What do you like about academic advising?

I enjoy seeing students grow academically and personally over time. I also enjoy encouraging and motivating students to overcome obstacles and barriers to their progress.

Hometown:  Chesapeake, Virginia

Majors I advise:  Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Marine Science, Environmental Studies

Top five strengths: Analytical, Deliberative, Consistency, Responsibility, Learner

Hobbies: Piano Playing, Photography, Video Editing, Spending Time Outdoors in Natural Settings, Visiting Theme Parks and Riding Roller Coasters. 

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Roger Smithson

Academic Advisor I

Office: SH

Phone: 239-590-7203

E-mail:  jsmithson@fgcu.edu 

Team Social Sciences Majors: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

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What do you like about academic advising?

Academic Advising is a very important component to aiding students in meeting their academic goals. I love being a part of the student's journey.

Hometown:  Detroit, Michigan

Majors I advise:  Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies, Legal Studies, Sociology, Political Science.

Top five strengths: Dependable, Reliable, Impeccable Work Ethic, Ethical, Student Centered

Hobbies: Fitness, Outdoors, Biking, Healthy Cooking, and Grandchildren

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Julie Alter-Kay

Team Leader Social Sciences, Academic Advisor III

Office: MH

Phone: 239-590-7477

E-mail: jalterkay@fgcu.edu

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Majors I advise:  Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies, Legal Studies, Sociology, Political Science.

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Barbara Dietter

Student Success Counselor

Office: MH

Phone: 239-745-4424

E-mail: bdietter@fgcu.edu

Stephanie Soto 

Sr. Student Success Counselor

Office: SH

Phone: 239-590-7120

E-mail: stsoto@fgcu.edu

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What do you like about academic advising?

What I like about academic advising is the opportunity to build respectful relationships with students. It's motivating to see the trust students have in me to instruct and guide them on their academic journeys. I enjoy the many conversations I have with students - topics ranging from academics, career goals, personal matters to "crackin'" jokes. I love academic advising and my students will enjoy having me as their advisor. 

Hometown: Manhattan (Harlem), NY and Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Majors I advise: Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Marine Science, Physics

Top five strengths: Trustworthiness, Respectful, Dedicated, Honesty, Caring

Hobbies: Cooking (chef in my own right), Speed Driving, Karaoke, and Watching Reruns of 90's Sitcom "Martin" and "Whazup."

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Colleen Peters

Academic Advisor I

Office: SH

Phone: 239-590-7412

E-mail: cnpeters@fgcu.edu

College of Arts & Sciences General Advising Forms

• Appeal for Late Withdrawal

• CAS Advising Syllabus
• Change of Major/Minor
• Dual Major/Dual Degree Form
• Schedule Planning Worksheet
• Transient Instructions

College Research/Internship Forms

• Communication Internship Registration Form
• Please contact your Natural Science Advising team member to make an appointment to discuss your research/internship.

Non-Advising Forms

• Office of the Registrar Forms
• Financial Aid Forms

Curriculum Maps listed below are to be used as a general guideline for students and are based on the program requirements for the current catalog year. Some students' scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.

Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes:

• For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower-division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.

Program Specific Curriculum Maps:

You should select courses based on the following priorities:

During your first two years:

• Common course prerequisites for your major;
• General education requirements;

During your junior/senior years:

• Any of the above, which were not completed;
• Required courses for your major;
• Electives in your major;
• Concentration coursework (if applicable);
• University Colloquium

Schedule an appointment to see a CAS advisor, who will determine whether or not the course you wish to take will fulfill a requirement in your FGCU degree. You can fill out this transient form. Do not sign up for a course elsewhere before you have seen a CAS advisor.

Some courses have a wait-list function in the registration system. If a course is full and has a wait-list function, you can register yourself for the wait list. Further instructions.

2. Click on Student and Financial Aid

3. Click on Student Records

4. Click on Degree Evaluation

Detailed instructions are available in DegreeWorks

The 2009 State Legislature enacted a student charge for excess hours. For students enrolling in a state university for the first time in or after the fall 2009 semester, a tuition rate surcharge will be applied for credit hours that exceed 120% of the completion requirements for the chosen degree program. The surcharge will apply to all “excess hours” and will amount to 50% of the tuition rate. For a program that requires 120 credit hours to graduate, all hours that exceed 144 count as excess.

In 2011 the legislature modified the statute and changed the threshold to 115% and a surcharge of 100% of the tuition rate for students entering in fall 2011 and later. For a program that requires 120 credit hours to graduate, all hours that exceed 138 (115% of 120) count as excess.

More details.

The law does allow for exceptions to the excess hour surcharge. For example, the courses taken under the following circumstances would not count as excess hours:

• Articulated accelerated credit (e.g. Advance Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP, Dual Enrollment, etc.)
• Internship credit
• Certification/recertification and certificate program credits
• Credits withdrawn due to medical or personal hardship
• Credits taken by active-duty military personnel
• Credits required for a dual major
• Remedial and English as a Second Language (ESOL) credit
• Military Science credits in Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) programs

All students should make every effort to enroll in and complete only those courses that are required for their degree program. Repeating courses, changing majors and adding minors that are not required as part of a major may result in excess hours. Student should regularly review their degree audit and consult with an academic advisor to ensure that they are not enrolling in excess hours.