Fast Facts
Mission
University Advising and Exploratory Studies provides accurate and timely academic advising resources, services, and support that facilitate a student’s positive transition into the University, strengthens their decision making skills, helps them develop an academic plan for degree completion, and transitions them confidently into their chosen major. In addition, we coordinate and support the training and development of all academic advisors at NC State.
History
University Advising and Exploratory Studies has its roots in several ground-breaking programs from the 1980s for first-year and undecided students. In 1995, these programs were consolidated into the First Year College (FYC). The program was unique at NC State, and very different from most first-year efforts around the country. FYC was designed especially for undecided students, to give them a year to explore majors, learn how to succeed in college, and discover more about themselves.
Each year, students complete a small, two-semester orientation course taught by their academic adviser – someone who sees them as students and as people, and who cares about their development and their success. This model is the core of Exploratory Studies, the foundation that has allowed it to grow and evolve, and to become an important part of NC State University.
In 2015 FYC became Exploratory Studies when it became part of University College. Partnerships with other NC State colleges developed into the Inter-College Transfer (ICT) program, for students at NC State redeciding on their majors.
Leadership and collaboration in advisor training and professional development has led to the creation of the Advisor Development Institute, the Advisor Roundtables, and other programs and resources for advisors at NC State. All of these programs became part of the newly named Academic Advising Programs and Services department in 2018. Most recently, the department became the home for the Transfer Student coordinator and the International Student Support coordinator. In 2023, the department was renamed University Advising and Exploratory Studies.
People
- 2 Associate Directors
- 15 Academic Advisors and Lecturers
- 1 International Student Support Coordinator
- 1 Transfer Student Coordinator
- 2 Support Staff
Activities
University Advising and Exploratory Studies is comprised of Exploratory Studies, Inter-College Transfer (ICT), and Advisor Training and Resources, and houses the coordinators for Transfer Student and International Student Support.
Our advisors teach USC 101, 102, and 201, advise students in Exploratory Studies and ICT, and serve as drop-in advisors for all undergraduates who are redeciding about their majors. The Virtual Advisor answers questions online, and Advisor Training and Resources offers NC State advisors online and in-person assistance with the Advisors Toolkit, the Advisors Development Institute, and Advising Roundtables.
Recognition and Accomplishments
Exploratory Studies Matriculation Trends:
| 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | College |
| 7.3% | 7.2% | 9.3% | 8.6% | 9.5% | 7.1% | 9.12% | Agriculture & Life Sciences |
| 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.5% | 1.75% | 0.74% | Design |
| 1.1% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 3.96% | 2.34% | Education |
| 16.5% | 18.2% | 14.6% | 20.9% | 15.3% | 12.24% | 16.52% | Engineering |
| 24.5% | 25.0% | 28.5% | 24.1% | 24.7% | 24.71% | 22.93% | Humanities & Social Sciences |
| 9.9% | 9.6% | 11.1% | 8.5% | 9.1% | 8.62% | 9.74% | Natural Resources |
| 12.1% | 10.0% | 8.3% | 10.4% | 8.6% | 11.77% | 14.74% | Sciences |
| 8.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 4.1% | 2.68% | 3.59% | Textiles |
| 19.9% | 21.4% | 20.4% | 17.9% | 23.8% | 27.16% | 21.51% | Management |
|
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|
Retention |
Graduation | ||||||||||
|
|
|
1 year |
2 year |
3 year |
4 year |
5 year |
6 year | ||||||
|
Cohort |
EXPLST N |
ES |
All |
ES |
All |
ES |
All |
ES |
All |
ES |
All |
ES |
All |
|
2005 |
665 |
96.84 |
89.44 |
94.14 |
82.70 |
92.63 |
79.05 |
42.86 |
40.99 |
79.85 |
67.03 |
85.26 |
72.94 |
|
2006 |
686 |
95.92 |
89.26 |
91.84 |
82.43 |
88.63 |
78.06 |
44.31 |
40.24 |
76.24 |
67.30 |
82.22 |
72.59 |
|
2007 |
737 |
94.98 |
90.24 |
86.97 |
84.25 |
86.97 |
80.11 |
38.67 |
41.81 |
70.42 |
69.08 |
76.80 |
75.11 |
|
2008 |
772 |
90.93 |
91.01 |
86.01 |
84.36 |
82.64 |
80.97 |
41.48 |
43.67 |
71.77 |
70.82 |
76.55 |
76.01 |
|
2009 |
673 |
87.82 |
89.52 |
81.87 |
84.13 |
79.49 |
80.69 |
41.16 |
44.92 |
70.28 |
72.06 |
74.74 |
76.85 |
|
2010 |
626 |
90.58 |
90.59 |
86.74 |
85.84 |
82.11 |
81.64 |
47.76 |
48.23 |
73.16 |
73.52 |
77.00 |
78.03 |
|
2011 |
619 |
92.89 |
92.07 |
86.11 |
86.13 |
83.04 |
82.11 |
47.17 |
49.99 |
75.77 |
75.76 |
79.81 |
79.39 |
|
2012 |
610 |
91.80 |
92.63 |
86.23 |
87.70 |
82.13 |
83.31 |
51.80 |
54.29 |
75.74 |
77.71 |
79.34 |
81.44 |
|
2013 |
720 |
90.42 |
93.04 |
86.53 |
88.20 |
81.67 |
83.41 |
51.25 |
57.44 |
76.11 |
79.68 |
79.44 |
82.57 |
|
2014 |
716 |
92.46 |
93.71 |
88.13 |
89.33 |
86.45 |
85.12 |
57.12 |
59.30 |
79.89 |
81.83 |
|
|
|
2015 |
643 |
92.22 |
93.80 |
88.02 |
89.67 |
84.76 |
84.72 |
62.36 |
63.82 |
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
604 |
92.88 |
93.64 |
90.40 |
89.88 |
88.91 |
84.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 |
654 |
92.81 |
93.83 |
87.61 |
89.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 |
733 |
93.45 |
94.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Note: Some students are not retained at NC State because they make an informed major decision that is not offered at NC State (ex: Nursing).
Recent Staff Recognition and Nominations
- Michelle Garoutte, Barbara Soloman Advising Award 2020 (recipient)
- Tony Shurer, New Advisor Award 2020 (recipient)
- University College Teaching Award 2020 Nominee: Dr. Andrea Atkin
- Dr. Andrea Atkin, Barbara Soloman Advising Award 2019 (recipient)
- Dr. Brian Peters, Barbara Soloman Advising Award 2019 (nominee)
- University College Teaching Award 2019 Nominees: Kimberly Cole & Gina Riccobono
- Pride of the Wolfpack Award Winners 2019: Susannah Lawrence & John Resnick-Kahle
Facilities
Holmes Hall, 2751 Cates Avenue
