The College of Arts and Sciences assigns a faculty mentor for each of your majors and minors to help you understand program-specific requirements, internship opportunities and your post-graduation educational and occupational goals.
A positive working relationship with faculty can be one of the most valuable experiences you have at Saint Louis University. Our faculty are committed to excellence and to the personal success of our students. They’ll work with you to develop a curriculum plan that is individualized and specific to your personal and professional goals.
Meeting Your Faculty Mentor
In order to assure that you are making progress in completing the requirements for your major and minor, you should plan to meet with your faculty mentors and advisers each semester, prior to registering for classes.
Identify Your Assigned Advisers and Faculty Mentors
Log into Banner Self Service and access the Student menu, then select Student Records>View Student Information. Select a term and click Submit.
The General Student Record will appear. Click “Go to All Advisor Listing.” This will generate a list of all of the individuals linked to your student account as advisers and faculty mentors.
If no names are listed, contact the Arts and Sciences Office of Academic Advising.
Go to People Finder to locate phone numbers and campus addresses for University faculty
and staff. PeopleFinder is also located on the Tools tab in mySLU.
Scheduling a Meeting with Your Mentor
Start with an email message to your faculty mentor or a departmental representative in which you briefly provide information about yourself (full name and Banner ID), and a statement of your educational and professional goals. Request an appointment with your mentor. A sample email is available in the Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Student Handbook.
Be sure to verify the location of your mentor's office prior to the appointment and arrive promptly. Come to the meeting prepared with a list of discussion items. Take note of important information that is discussed with your faculty mentor.
Topics to Discuss With Your Faculty Mentor
- Academic majors and programs: What are the requirements for your major?
- Adding a minor: What minor would best complement your degree and academic interests?
- Academic goals: What can you do with your degree after you graduate?
- Course recommendations: Outline the courses you plan to take. Ask for recommended changes or additions.
- Research/internship opportunities: What research/internship opportunities are available to you? Are there any other opportunities that your mentor would recommend?
- Study abroad: Which courses should you take during a semester abroad? What courses should you plan to take the semester you return to SLU
- Graduate/professional school: When should you apply to graduate school? How do you prepare for graduate school? Is graduate school a good option for you?
After Meeting with your Faculty Mentor
Review the information provided by your faculty mentor on the requirements for your
major or minor.
Create a faculty mentor binder which you can use to store all information provided
to you by your mentor. Include information about all exemptions and exceptions made
by your department.
Bring your binder to your meetings with your academic advisor. Review your curriculum
plan and assess your progression toward graduation.