Two new advisors have joined the team at Patriots’ Casa to work with military-connected students. Richard Delgado, director of Military Affairs, said with all the advisors transitioning from the Madla Building to the portables, this opened an opportunity for military-connected students to benefit by having in-house advisors now.
Advisor Kristopher Scheneman will assist students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences, while advisor Mandalyne Gonzalez will work with students majoring in the College of Business and Education. They transferred from the Madla Building to Patriots’ Casa during the week of Feb. 11, and were officially set to open their doors the week of Feb. 18. Each advisor is expected to serve approximately 500 students or more.
According to Arielle Benjamin, a work-study student in Military Affairs, Patriots’ Casa had an in-house advisor up until approximately two years ago. Benjamin observed a need for an in-house advisor because there are several military-connected students who have disabilities. It was challenging for them to walk back and forth between buildings in order to get to their classes.
“It’s definitely great that we have advisors here again because I can tell you from experience that a lot of the students that come in our office were very sad that she [Deborah Leal] left,” Benjamin said.
A common situation for students is not visiting their advisors often enough. Scheneman encourages students to see an advisor every semester, or at least once a year. He sees too many students facing challenges as they near graduation because they realize they have missing credits.
“It’s the worst feeling in the world…getting into your last semester and thinking you’re done, and then we find out you still need some other classes,” Scheneman said.
He points out it’s extremely important to stay in contact with your advisor, so that isn’t an issue.
Some important dates to remember for registration are as follows:
March 25 – Seniors who have already applied to graduate in Summer or Fall of 2019
March 26 – Military affiliated and DSS students
March 27 – Seniors and Post-Baccalaureate students
March 28 – Juniors
March 29 – Sophomores & Freshmen
April 1 – Open registration to all students
Normally, appointments are made on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, during peak times in the semester, advisors will see students on a walk-in basis only; during the weeks of March 25 – April 5. This will help to assist everyone in a timely manner.
The normal walk-in schedule is Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To make an appointment, you may contact the Advising Center front desk at (210) 784-1307. In order to make an appointment in person, you may also visit the Military Affairs Office in Patriots’ Casa, Room 202.
