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The University of North Georgia (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) Academic Advising Center on the Dahlonega Campus is hosting a celebration for their new location on April 21 at the Chestatee Building.

In contrast to the center's earlier operations in 2010 when there was only one coordinator and one advisor, the center has now expanded to multiple campuses and includes many new advisors as part of Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

The QEP began as a result of Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's reaccreditation process, when advisement was chosen for focus and development. The advising center serves mainly students with less than 45 credit hours earned, and after completing their second year at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û, students are assigned to a faculty advisor who functions as a mentor for planning internships, study abroad opportunities and post-graduation options.

Derek Sutton, the academic advising coordinator for the Dahlonega Campus, is a two-time alumnus of Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û and has been with the department for almost seven years. During his time, he has seen the university's commitment to student success in the growth of the advising center.

"The department's growth has provided a wonderful opportunity to expand our services to assist every student that comes through our doors," Sutton said.

During orientation, all students are assigned to an advisor, but since Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's consolidation, the role of the advising center has changed to take a greater part in establishing quality relationships with new students as well as their parents.

"We have open houses and workshops during orientation weeks for the students and their parents so that students feel comfortable initiating a visit to the center if they have questions, while parents can meet us and learn about how the center can assist with their child's success in college," Sutton said. "Going to college can be overwhelming, but we are here to help them."

The center is a place for resources and referrals that helps build the Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û community, while making the student more comfortable with discussing their entire academic experience, including more than just what goes on in the classroom.