the fordham college at rose hill freshman advising program

freshman advising profiles

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geoffrey johnson
Freshman, Undeclared
Jenkintown, PA

"Being a freshman at college can be a little intimidating, and the Freshman Advising sessions facilitated my transition into college life. The day that my faculty advisor spoke to every member of my advising group about their midterm grades individually is particularly memorable. The one-on-one meeting regarding my grades enforced in my mind that Fordham University cares about the academic progress of the student population, and in this way, the Freshman Advising Program reinforces the Jesuit notion of the magis, or the more. Through our sessions, our advisors encourage us to strive for academic, social and extra-curricular excellence. The program demonstrates that Fordham is a school that thrives on faculty-student interaction."

sean mcgonigle
Freshman, Undeclared
New Hyde Park, NY 

"The Freshman Advising Program has helped me adjust to college life by going over everything from how grades work to how to deal with professors to staying on top of my work. The Jesuit ideal of the care of the whole person-cura personalis-is exemplified in the Freshman Advising Program. For example, my first individual meeting with my Faculty and Student Advisors was particularly rewarding. We sat down and planned my schedule for the second semester and talked about what courses I should take beyond freshman year. The sit-down really helped the long-term planning for my education. The Freshman Advising Program is a great way to learn how to 
handle college life in general, not just life in the classroom."

caitlin ahern
Freshman Advising Student Assistant (FASA)
Senior, Psychology Major
Riverdale, NY
2nd year FASA

"I've always really enjoyed the interpersonal connections I've made with my freshman advisees.  Becoming a FASA has helped me to confirm my passion for working with young adults.  I honestly get such pleasure from one of my freshmen coming up to me on campus or emailing me to ask a question, to let me know the outcome of a situation we discussed, or just to say hello!  For example, this past summer, a shopping trip to the Banana Republic turned into a half hour advising session when I ran into one of my freshmen from the preceeding year who was working in the fitting room.  We sat next to a pile of unfolded sweaters and talked about the classes she had signed up for in the fall.  I can wholeheartedly say that the advising program at Fordham College is designed to ensure that no freshman feels like a little fish in a big ocean."

sara rose kantrowitz
Freshman Advising Student Assistant (FASA)
Junior, Communications Major
Canton, MA
2nd year FASA

"I believe that the Fordham mission statement encourages learning and growing as a person. The Jesuit tradition has taught me the importance of using my abilities to aide others in the education process and I believe that the freshman advising program does just that. Being a FASA allows me to use what I know to help those who may be overwhelmed or confused and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue doing so."

sarafina degregorio
Freshman Advisor
Ph.D., French
Director of Language Learning Centers, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Italian and French
1st year Freshman Advisor

"As a Jesuit University, Fordham is interested in the care and education of the whole person.  The University is structured so that no student is left by the wayside; procedures are in place every step of the way to insure that our students achieve their highest potential.  This goal begins with the Freshman Advising Program which is organized to help these young men and women adjust to the new complex academic and social environment that is part of any university.  The Freshman Advising Program is designed so that students at Fordham are never numbers; each student is considered an individual, an important part of an extended family.  At the same time, each student is guided toward independence, personal responsibility and maturity so that he or she will continue the education process and the personal growth process with a good, solid foundation.  As an educator and as a parent, I feel that our freshmen are fortunate to have such a program in place.  This has been my first year as an advisor and I cannot say enough about the Freshman Advising Program.  It is a unique, highly structured and well organized program administered by professionals who truly care about the welfare of our students.  It is a very valuable resource for both students and faculty and I am very proud to be involved in such a fine endeavor."

allan gilbert 
Freshman Advisor
Ph.D., Anthropology
Professor of Anthropology and Associate Chair for Undergraduates, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
8th year Freshman Advisor

"Fordham's Freshman Advisement program offers the perfect antidote to the potential anxieties and uncertainties that can accompany the onset of college life.  Provided by the Freshman Dean as part of student benefits, the periodic FA meetings offer a painless way to learn from faculty and upperclass insiders about the new routines and expectations of higher education.  They explain the intricacies of curriculum, registration, academic records, and everyday life on campus better than most other leading universities do, and surveys have shown that freshmen feel more aware and empowered after having attended the sessions.  The Freshman Advisement program is not intended to be a substitute for study and hard work (which are normal responses to academic courses), nor will it completely eliminate intellectual challenges (only those that accompany the adjustment to unfamiliar rules and regulations), but it will help smooth the transition to fully functioning student status.  Side effects usually include increased confidence and an abrupt drop in misconceptions and bad planning, which often last well beyond the freshman year of treatment.  Technical assistance and moral support are only as far away as the telephone or email, and, depending upon advisor's posted hours, office visits are available and encouraged for maximum program effectiveness."

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