Departmental Advising

Acting (B.F.A. program)

Advising Coordinator:  Eric Abele

Email: abele@umbc.edu  Phone: 410-455-2917

Location: Performing Arts and Humanities Building, Room 325

Students with advisors should sign up for advising outside their advisor’s office or contact them via email. Students without an advisor should call or visit the Department of Theatre office (PAHB 322, 410-455-2917) to be assigned to a Theatre Department Academic advisor. Questions regarding coursework should be directed to the Department’s Advising Coordinator, Eric Abele.

Administrative and Managerial Sciences

Advising Coordinator: Mark Thomas (Accounting)

Email: mathomas@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-6593

Location: Public Policy Building, Room 331

Advising for the Accounting and Finance certificates is provided in the Economics Dept. Contact Ms. St. Martin for an appointment.

Advising Coordinator:  Tate Redding (Management)

Email: redding@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-3942

Location: ITE Building, Room 414

Advising for the MBA Preparatory Studies and Management Science certificates is provided in the IS Dept. Contact Mr. Redding for an appointment.

Africana Studies

Advising Coordinator:  Dr. Gloria Chuku

Email: chuku@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-2921

Location: Fine Arts Building (south wing), Room 537

American Studies

Advising Contact:  Morgan Dowty

Email: morgando@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2106

Location: Fine Arts Building, Room FA 545

Ancient Studies

Advising Coordinator:  David Rosenbloom

Email: dsrose@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2723

Location: Performing Arts & Humanities Bldg, Room 450

Anthropology

All current ANTH students have an assigned faculty advisor and will receive an email notification of these assignments prior to advanced registration.  All advanced registration appointments are by appointment only. Students who wish to change their major to ANTH or add ANTH as a 2nd major, should contact Debbie Sanford at dsanford@umbc.edu. For general information about the advising process and advisor contact information: https://sahap.umbc.edu/undergraduateadvising/

Asian Studies

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Meredith Oyen

Email: asianstudies@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-8410

Location: Fine Arts Bldg, South, 548

New and prospective Asian Studies majors, minors, or certificate students should contact the program
advising coordinator to set up an appointment with the director. All Asian Studies majors should meet with
an Asian Studies advisor during each semester to plan their program of study and ensure they are on
track for their planned semester of graduation. Asian Studies majors who are double majors can receive
advising clearance in either department, but should still see an Asian Studies advisor each term.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry (BIOC) students who have earned less than 30 academic credits must meet with an advisor in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Advising Office.

Location: University Center (UC) 205   Email (preferred): CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu

Declared BIOC students who have earned over 30 credits will be assigned to a department faculty member. BIOC advising assignments are available online — https://cnmsadvising.umbc.edu/advising-assignments/

** Newly declared BIOC majors without an advisor assignment should consult the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) Advising Office for interim advising support.**

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (BINF) students who have earned less than 30 academic credits must meet with an advisor in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Advising Office.

Location: University Center (UC) 205          Email (preferred): CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu

BINF advising assignments are available online — https://cnmsadvising.umbc.edu/advising-assignments/

** Newly declared BINF majors without an advisor assignment should consult the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) Advising Office for interim advising support.**

Biological Sciences

Biology (BIOL) students who have earned less than 30 academic credits must meet with an advisor in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Advising Office.

Location: University Center (UC) 205            Email (preferred): CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu

BIOL advising assignments are available online — https://cnmsadvising.umbc.edu/advising-assignments/.

** Newly declared BIOL majors without an advisor assignment should consult the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) Advising Office for interim advising support.**

Biology Education

Business Technology Administration

Advising Coordinator: Dina Glazer
Email: dgorin1@umbc.edu   Location: ITE Building, Room 410

Declared BTA majors will find the name of their advisor in myUMBC, under Advising and Student Support, by clicking on the “My Advisors” link.  If no advisor is listed there, please contact Dina Glazer. Students can sign up for advising appointments using the following link: https://informationsystems.umbc.edu/home/undergraduate-programs/undergraduate-advising/

Chemical Engineering

Students majoring in Pre-Chemical Engineering must meet with an academic advisor in the office of Undergraduate Student Services in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). First-semester transfer students, regardless of gateway status, are advised in ITE 202-206.

Location: ITE Building Rooms 202-207

Please visit the website below for advising appointment instructions:
http://advising.coeit.umbc.edu/registration

Contact information for advisors can be found here

Chemical Engineering students who have completed the gateway will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students can view their advisor’s name in their myUMBC Profile.

Chemistry

Computer Science

Students majoring in Pre-Computer Science must meet with an academic advisor in the office of Undergraduate Student Services in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). First-semester transfer students, regardless of gateway status, are advised in ITE 202-207.

Location: ITE Building Rooms 202-207

Please visit the website below for advising appointment instructions:
http://advising.coeit.umbc.edu/registration

Contact information for advisors can be found here

Computer Science students who have completed the gateway will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students can view their advisor’s name in their myUMBC Profile.

Dance

Advising Coordinator:  Carol Hess-Vait
Email: hessvait@umbc.edu    Phone:  410-455-2951

Location: Fine Arts Building, Room 420

Economics and Financial Economics

Academic Advising:  Robert Pawloski
Email: rpawloski@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-5922  Location: Public Policy Building, Room 334

Students can schedule to meet with Academic Advisor Robert Pawloski either in person or online.  General office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  A self-serve appointment link is provided on the economics.umbc.edu website under the “Advising” tab.  Mind the instructions for scheduling.

Education

Advising Coordinator:  Vickie Williams (elementary and secondary ed. admissions advising)
Email: vwilli5@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-2327  Location: Sherman Hall, Room 419

Additional Advisors:

Kindel Nash (ongoing advising, early childhood education)
Email: nashkt@umbc.edu Phone:  410-455-2307  Location: Sherman Hall, Room 413

Patricia Young (ongoing advising, elementary education)
Email: pyoung@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-3902  Location: Sherman Hall, Room 429

Cheryl North (ongoing advising, secondary education)
Email: cnorth@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-6522  Location: Sherman Hall, Room 417

Francis Hult (ongoing advising, TESOL)
Email: fmhult@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-3845  Location: Sherman Hall, Room 406

Emergency and Disaster Health Systems

EDHS Department Contact
Program Management Specialist, Renee Decker
Email: EDHSMain@umbc.edu  Phone: 410-455-3223
(TEMPORARY until July 2025) Location: 900 Walker Ave., Room 113

Paramedic Concentration Advisor: Kyle Bates kyledavidbates@umbc.edu
Management Track/Minor: Gary Williams Garywil1@umbc.edu
Backup/General class permissions: Renee Decker rdecker@umbc.edu

English

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Michele Osherow

Email: mosherow@umbc.edu

Phone: 410-455-8639

Location: PAHB 302

Environmental Science and Environmental Studies

Location: Sondheim Building, Room 211

Email: ges@umbc.edu

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Margaret Holland (mholland@umbc.edu)

Students being advised for the first time may request to see any member of the GES faculty.  Students without advisors will have one designated by staff in Room 211. Sign-up sheets for advising appointments will be on faculty office doors during pre-registration periods.

Exploratory/Undecided 

Undergraduate Studies (UGST) students should make appointments with their assigned advisor by clicking https://advising.umbc.edu/appointments/and choosing the correct appointment calendar.  Newly designated UGST students may also contact the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising via phone at 410-455-2729.

Economics and Financial Economics

Academic Advising:  Robert Pawloski
Email: rpawloski@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-5922  Location: Public Policy Building, Room 334

Students can schedule to meet with Academic Advisor Robert Pawloski either in person or online.  General office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  A self-serve appointment link is provided on the economics.umbc.edu website under the “Advising” tab.  Mind the instructions for scheduling

Gender, Women’s, + Sexuality Studies

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Kate Drabinski
Email: drabinski@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-2001  Location: Fine Arts 417

Students seeking advising should email Dr. Drabinski who will assign an advisor who will set up an advising appointment as soon as possible.

Geography and Environmental Systems

Location: Sondheim Building, Room 211

Email: ges@umbc.edu

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Margaret Holland (mholland@umbc.edu)

Students being advised for the first time may request to see any member of the GES faculty.  Students without advisors will have one designated by staff in Room 211. Sign-up sheets for advising appointments will be on faculty office doors during pre-registration periods.

Global Studies

Advising Coordinator: Jayla Godfrey
Email: jaylagod@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2958

Location: Fine Arts Building, South Wing, Room 553

It is mandatory that all Global Studies majors see their assigned advisor during advising/registration period. Students whose only major is Global Studies must receive clearance from their assigned GLBL advisor. Global Studies students who are double majors do not need to get registration clearance from our advisors, however, they still need to see their assigned advisors to make make sure they are on course with the GLBL major and selected track. Please visit the ‘Advising‘ page on the Global Studies website for information on advisor/advisee assignments, faculty/staff office hours, and advising updates

History majors can be advised and get clearance for course registration by coming to open advising hours in the department, held each semester during advanced registration. Available advisors and advising hours will be posted on the History department website.

For more information about advising in the History department please visit: https://history.umbc.edu/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-advising/

Honors College

Email: honorscollege@umbc.edu Phone:  410-455-3720

Location: Library, Room 216

Honors College students who have not declared a major are advised in the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising and should also be advised in the Honors College with respect to Honors College requirements and opportunities.  Honors College students who have declared a major should first see an advisor in their major department(s) and then consult with an Honors College advisor to ensure that they maintain their membership in the College.  Students should contact the Honors College to make appointments.

Information Systems

Advising Coordinator: Dina Glazer
Email:dgorin1@umbc.edu

Location: ITE Building, Room 410

Declared IS majors will find the name of their advisor in myUMBC, under Advising and Student Support, by clicking on the “My Advisors” link.  If no advisor is listed there, please contact Dina Glazer.  Students can sign up for advising appointments using the following link: https://informationsystems.umbc.edu/home/undergraduate-programs/undergraduate-advising/

Individualized Studies

Advising Coordinator:  Carrie Sauter
Email: csauter@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-2037

Location: Fine Arts Building, Room 020

Students interested in the INDS major should view the website (inds.umbc.edu), then email csauter@umbc.edu for an appointment, Current majors should schedule an appointment with their INDS advisor.

Judaic Studies

Advising Coordinator:  Carol Harmon
Email: harmon@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-1744

Location: Fine Arts Building, Room 552

Students should call or e-mail for an appointment.  For Judaic Studies minor requirements, please go to:  https://judaicstudies.umbc.edu/minor-program/

Management of Aging Services

Director of Undergraduate Programs, Erickson School:  Dr. Louise Murray
Email: lmmurray@umbc.edu

Location: 5523 Research Park Drive, Suite 230

Students will be contacted to be given their advising assignments and other instructions. Students should contact the department to schedule appointments with their assigned advisor.

Mathematics & Statistics

Program Coordinator:  Janet Burgee
Email: jburgee@umbc.edu Phone:  410-455-2401 Location: Math/Psychology Building, Room 404

Mathematics Program Advisor: Kalman Nanes
Email: knanes@umbc.eduPhone: 410-455-2439  Location: Math/Psychology Building, Room 439

Statistics Program Advisor: Yehenew Kifle
Email: yehenew@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2972 Location: Math/Psychology Building, Room 426

For general questions on the Mathematics or Statistics programs, contact one of the above points of contact.  Current Mathematics or Statistics majors and minors can locate the name of their academic advisor on the bulletin board across from the Math/Statistics Office in MP 410 or in myUMBC in the Advising & Student Support topic under My Advisors.  All students who have been assigned an advisor should make appointments directly with that faculty member.  Students who wish to switch advisors should contact Ms. Janet Burgee at the email address above.

Mechanical Engineering

Students majoring in Pre-Mechanical Engineering must meet with an academic advisor in the office of Undergraduate Student Services in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). First-semester transfer students, regardless of gateway status, are advised in ITE 202-207.

Location: ITE Building Rooms 202-207

Please visit the website below for advising appointment instructions:
http://advising.coeit.umbc.edu/registration

Contact information for advisors can be found here

Mechanical Engineering students who have completed the gateway will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students can view their advisor’s name in their myUMBC Profile.

Media & Communication Studies

Advising Coordinator:  Dr. Donald Snyder
Email: dsnyder@umbc.edu 

Location: Fine Arts 420

Students who have not officially declared MCS as their major should contact Dr. Donald Snyder (dsnyder@umbc.edu) for information about setting up an advising appointment. Students who have officially declared MCS as their major will receive an e-mail via the MCS list proc with information regarding signing up for advising at the appropriate time. For general information about advising with MCS, visit https://mcs.umbc.edu/advising-for-mcs-students/

Modern Language, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication

Advising Coordinator:  Carolyn Good

Email: good@umbc.edu

Phone: (410) 455-2109

Location: Fine Arts Room 463

The department coordinator will inform new majors of their advisor assignment. Faculty generally reach out to students by email. Students should likewise reach out to their advisors by email to make an appointment. If you are not sure, or if you do not have an advisor, visit the departmental office in Fine Arts Building, Room 463 (tel. 410-455-2109).

Music

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Joseph Siu
Email: jsiu@umbc.edu 

https://music.umbc.edu/students/advising/

Location: Performing Arts Building, Room 259

Students who are declared music majors and have passed the audition process should contact Professor Joseph Siu (jsiu@umbc.edu) for an advising appointment.   Students who have not passed the audition process should be advised in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising(410-455-2729).  Information about our program offerings and auditions can be found at www.umbc.edu/music.  Students wishing to minor in music should also contact the department.

Philosophy

Advising Coordinator:  Vanessa Capuano
Email: vanessa@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-2103  Location: Performing Arts and Humanities Building,

Students should check the list posted on the door of the department office (Fine Arts 452) for the name of their advisor.

Physics

Advising Coordinator: Dr. Eric Anderson
Email: andersoe@umbc.edu  Phone:  410-455-5823

Location: Physics Building, Room 320

Physics (PHYS) and Physics Education (PHSE) students who have not yet completed or enrolled in PHYS 224 (Vibrations and Waves) must meet with an advisor in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Advising Office. Location: University Center (UC) 205 Email (preferred): CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu PHYS and PHSE advising assignments available online — https://cnmsadvising.umbc.edu/advising-assignments/

PHYS and PHSE majors who were undeclared prior to the end of the schedule adjustment period, have completed or are currently enrolled in PHYS 224, and who did not receive a faculty advisor assignment may contact the Physics Undergraduate Program Director – Dr. Eric Anderson (andersoe@umbc.edu, PHYS 320, 410-455-5823) for interim advising support.

Pre-Law

Pre-law advising services are open to current students of all majors as well as alumni interested in law school and law-related careers.  Please visit the Pre-Law Advising website or contact Molly Timko at mtimko@umbc.edu for additional information.

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Podiatry, Pre-Veterinary Advising

The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office provides specialized advising to students who plan to pursue admission to medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, or veterinary school after graduation from UMBC, regardless of their undergraduate major.

Email Address:  healthproadvising@umbc.edu               Location: University Center, Room 116

For Health Professions advising during the Advance Registration period for the next Fall or Spring semester:

Students in first- and second-year Biology and Chemistry professional school prerequisite courses (BIOL 141/142/302/303, and/or CHEM101/102/351/352) should plan to attend a Group Advising Session. Please check the Events section of The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office website for upcoming meeting details.

Students who have completed their first- and second-year Biology and Chemistry professional school prerequisite courses may schedule a one-on-one advising appointment during the Advance Registration period. Please check the Contact Info section of The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office website for appointment instructions.

At other times during Fall and Spring semesters, one-on-one appointments are available to students of all stages of Health Profession preparation.

Note that students who plan to pursue careers in Nursing, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Physician’s Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and other allied health fields receive specialized pre-professional advising in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising.

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Podiatry, Pre-Veterinary Advising

The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office provides specialized advising to students who plan to pursue admission to medical, dental, optometry, podiatry, or veterinary school after graduation from UMBC, regardless of their undergraduate major.

Email Address:  healthproadvising@umbc.edu               Location: University Center, Room 116

For Health Professions advising during the Advance Registration period for the next Fall or Spring semester:

Students in first- and second-year Biology and Chemistry professional school prerequisite courses (BIOL 141/142/302/303, and/or CHEM101/102/351/352) should plan to attend a Group Advising Session. Please check the Events section of The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office website for upcoming meeting details.

Students who have completed their first- and second-year Biology and Chemistry professional school prerequisite courses may schedule a one-on-one advising appointment during the Advance Registration period. Please check the Contact Info section of The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office website for appointment instructions.

At other times during Fall and Spring semesters, one-on-one appointments are available to students of all stages of Health Profession preparation.

Note that students who plan to pursue careers in Nursing, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Physician’s Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and other allied health fields receive specialized pre-professional advising in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising.

Pre-Nursing, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and other Allied Health Field Advising

Students with declared majors should reach out to their major Advisor first, and then follow up with the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising.  Allied Health students can make appointments with the appropriate Allied Health advisor by clicking https://advising.umbc.edu/appointments/.

Pre-Nursing, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and other Allied Health Field Advising

Students with declared majors should reach out to their major Advisor first, and then follow up with the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising.  Allied Health students can make appointments with the appropriate Allied Health advisor by clicking https://advising.umbc.edu/appointments/.

Political Science

Advising Contact: James Hamilton
Email: jamham@umbc.edu Phone:  410-455-2958  Location: Public Policy Building, Room 357

Students already assigned to faculty advisors should sign up for appointments outside individual advisors’ offices.  Students without faculty advisors may contact the department office or stop by to be assigned to an advisor.  Also, students may learn to which faculty member they have been assigned for advising by referring to the master list on the bulletin board outside Room 357.

Public Health

Psychology

Advising Coordinator: Debbie Paul

Advises students with last names A-L
Email: dpaul@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2366

Advising Coordinator: Jenae Wilson

Advises students with last names M-Z
Email: jwilso8@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2567

Location: Math/Psychology Building, Room 312

All newly declared Psychology majors (freshmen, transfer students, ongoing UMBC students who just declared the major) need to meet with the Psychology department advisor, Debbie Paul (advises students with last names A-L) or Jenae Wilson (advises students with last names M-Z), to be advised for the upcoming semester. Other students are assigned to a faculty advisor. Faculty advising assignments are posted through myUMBC. Go to the Advising tab, then click MyAdvisor. You can email your advisor from that page.

Religious Studies

Advising Coordinator: Carla Ison
Email: ison@umbc.edu Phone:  410-455-2312

Location: Fine Arts Bldg, North Side, Rm 505

Students should call or email to make an advising appointment.

Social Work

Advising Coordinator:  Aurora Rivera
Email: aurorar2@umbc.edu Phone: 410-455-2144

All current SOWK students will be assigned a faculty advisor and will receive that advisors schedule via email prior to the start of Fall and Spring advising. Appointments are made through Google calendar.

If you are unsure of who your advisor is or have any questions about the advising process for Social Work, please contact Aurora Rivera (aurorar2@umbc.edu). To review department advising procedures click here: https://socialwork.umbc.edu/current-students/

Sociology