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Academic Advising

Our academic advisers are the best resource for new students when it comes to creating a plan to reach your academic and career goals.

Academic advisers help students transitioning into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science explore their interests, abilities and goals and relate them to academic plans. Your adviser will discuss your academic performance and implications for academic program and career pathways.

In addition, we will support you by helping you:

  • Explore and understand program options and requirements
  • Register for classes (adding and dropping courses)
  • Chart graduation requirements
  • Understand academic policies and requirements
  • Be candid in answering your questions and concerns
  • Explore career options

Find your adviser

Sarah Hoge

Director of Advising Services
Areas of Advising: Computer Information Systems-Cybersecurity
Phone: 330-972-2331
Email: mshoge@uakron.edu

Diane Burrowbridge

Coordinator
Areas of Advising: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Systems Engineering
Phone: 330-972-5368
Email: dburrowbridge1@uakron.edu

Candice Shell

Academic Adviser Senior
Areas of Advising: Computer Information Systems-Programming, Computer Information Systems-Networking
Phone: 330-972-6301
Email: cshell1@uakron.edu

Gail Tankersley

Academic Adviser Senior
Areas of Advising: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Land Surveying/Surveying and Mapping
Phone: 330-972-7927
Email: gail3@uakron.edu

John Lanshe

Academic Adviser IV
Areas of Advising: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering Technology, Undecided-Engineering
Phone: 330-972-6862
Email: conrad1@uakron.edu

Shari Thorman

Academic Adviser IV
Areas of Advising: Mechanical Engineering Technology
Phone: 330-972-6327
Email: thorman@uakron.edu

Bernadette Citano

Academic Adviser IV
Areas of Advising: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Corrosion Engineering/Corrosion Engineering Technology, Advanced/Automated Manufacturing Technology, Applied Mathematics, Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
Phone: 330-972-6255
Email: bcitano@uakron.edu

Dr. Laurie Lafferty

Academic Adviser II
Areas of Advising: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Systems Engineering
Phone: 330-972-6739
Email: laffert@uakron.edu

Shannon Skelton

Academic Adviser II
Areas of Advising: Computer Science
Phone: 330-972-5279
Email: skelton@uakron.edu

Alexandria Crum

Academic Adviser II
Areas of Advising: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering
Phone: 330-972-4110
Email: acrum@uakron.edu

Your academic adviser contact information can also be found in the MyAkron Student Center. Due to the high volume of inquiries, please give advisers 2-3 business days to respond. Emails should be reserved for quick questions or to schedule an appointment. Questions regarding scheduling classes should be done through an appointment.

Please email your adviser to schedule an appointment or visit our virtual walk-in hours listed at the bottom of this page.

Due to the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, advisers can only respond to emails sent from a UA email account.

Scheduling appointments

Staff advisers are now scheduling both in-person and virtual appointments! If you have a faculty adviser, you will still need to reach out to that individual to schedule an appointment. Remember to choose your adviser when you schedule!

Walk-in hours are open to any student in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science but please be aware that questions about courses specific to your major will be redirected to your academic adviser.

You can also find this information on the homepage of our College Student Advising site in Brightspace.

If you have any questions, email us at cepsadvising@uakron.edu or contact your advisor directly.

Walk-in advising times:

  • Monday: 9-11
  • Tuesday: 2-4
  • Friday: 1-3

Registering for classes

First-year students in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science are required to meet with their adviser prior to registering for the next semester. For all other students, we suggest you schedule a meeting prior to registering for classes to ensure you are staying on track.

Student responsibility

Our advisers look forward to working with you! To be successful, our advisers will expect the following from you:

  • Maintain contact with your academic adviser throughout the semester and be prepared for all advising appointments.
  • Learn how to use online resources like the Degree Progress Report, My Akron, BrightSpace, and any other online tools your professors are using for your classes this semester.
  • Accept responsibility for your educational experience.
  • Talk to your adviser if you need help clarifying your educational, career, and personal goals.
  • Ask for help when you need it.