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Academic Advising for the College of Science and Engineering

Welcome to the Office of Academic Advising for the College of Science and Engineering, where academic success meets personalized guidance. As stewards of academic excellence, we understand the importance of tailored support in navigating the multifaceted landscape of science and engineering disciplines. Our dedicated team of professional advisors is committed to fostering intellectual growth, academic development, and holistic well-being as you embark on your educational journey. Whether you seek guidance on course selection or personal enrichment, our comprehensive advising services are designed to empower you to thrive academically and realize your fullest potential in the dynamic fields of science and engineering.

UHCL Advising - Who Do I Meet With First?

Who you meet with depends on what you need:

  • First-time college students meet with CSE academic advisors in their first semester. This includes:
    • Freshmen with dual credit or graduated from early college high schools.
    • Students with 0-29 credit hours of transfer coursework.
  • Students transferring 30+ credit hours of coursework must first meet with the Transfer Advising office.

  • International students with questions about full-time enrollment requirements, restrictions on working in the U.S., traveling around the U.S., and other rules and responsibilities connected to immigration status must meet with the International Advisors within the Office of International Admissions & Student Services.

  • If you're unsure about your major, don't worry! The Exploring Majors Office (EMO) is here to support you. They will guide you through a three-step process to develop an action plan that will help you find a bachelor’s degree that aligns with your academic and career goals. This personalized approach ensures that you make an informed decision about your academic path.

CSE Undergraduate Students

Every CSE undergraduate student is assigned a professional academic advisor when they are admitted to their program of study and has a faculty mentor.  

  • Professional academic advisors assist students with the following:
    • Candidate Plan of Study (a.k.a. Degree Plan) creation, audits, and adjustments
    • Understanding degree requirements
    • Course sequencing/selection
    • Transfer credit questions
    • Minor declaration process
    • I-20 Update Forms
    • SAP Appeals (Financial Aid)
    • VSO Paperwork
    • Graduation application audits
    • Advisement Report corrections
    • Registration error troubleshooting
    • Facilitate student inquiry to faculty mentors
  • Faculty mentors are faculty within your chosen program that assist undergraduate students with detailed program and course content questions. They are your subject matter experts in your chosen field. They can help you with questions about the degree program, elective selection, career options, getting involved in research, and offering general academic guidance. Faculty Mentors are essential to an undergraduate student's success.

CSE Graduate Students

Every CSE graduate student has an assigned faculty advisor and assigned professional advisor.  

  • Faculty advisors are listed on the admission letter for every CSE graduate student. Faculty advisors guide graduate students on what courses they should take and can also discuss career options.

  • Professional academic advisors assist students with the following:
    • Candidate Plan of Study (a.k.a. Degree Plan) creation
    • I-20 update forms
    • SAP Appeals (Financial Aid)
    • VSO paperwork
    • Graduation application audits
    • Advisement report corrections
    • Course overrides with faculty advisor documentation

Academic Advisors

All CSE students have an assigned professional academic advisor:

  • Advisors By Major
  • Michelle Gutierrez, Director of Academic Advising

    Email: gutierrezm@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3710

    Click to Schedule Appointment


     

    • Undergraduate Majors:
      • Mechanical Engineering (last names A-D)
      • Pre-Engineering – Mechanical (last names A-D)
      • Pre-Engineering – Industrial
      • Pre-Engineering – Chemical
      • Pre-Engineering – Electrical
      • Pre-Engineering – Civil
      • Occupational Safety & Health

     

    • Graduate Majors:
      • Occupational Safety & Health
  • Beryl Ricard, Senior Academic Advisor 

    Email: ricard@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3713

    Click to Schedule Appointment


     

    • Undergraduate Majors:
      • Computer Science (last names A-M)
      • Environmental Science (last names N-Z)

     

    • Graduate Majors:
      • Computer Science (last names A-M)
      • Data Science
      • Software Engineering
  • NaJean Preiss, Senior Academic Advisor

    Email: Preiss@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3714

    Click to Schedule Appointment




    • Undergraduate Majors:
      • Biology (last names A-M)
      • Chemistry
      • Environmental Science (last names A-M)

    • Graduate Majors:
      • Biology (last names A-M)
      • Biotechnology
      • Chemistry
      • Environmental Science
  • Ana Morales, Senior Academic Advisor

    Email: moralesgonza@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3712

    Click to Schedule Appointment




    • Undergraduate Majors:
      • Computer Engineering, 
      • Information Technology BS/BAS, 
      • Mathematics
      • Computer Information Systems (last names A-M)

     

    • Graduate Majors:
      • Computer Engineering
      • Mathematics
      • Statistics
  • Celina Mejia, Academic Advisor 

    Email: mejiace@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3772

    Click to Schedule Appointment


     

    • Undergraduate Majors:
      • Biology (last names N-Z)
      • Computer Information Systems (last names N-Z)
      • Computer Science (last names N-Z)

     

    • Graduate Majors:
      • Biology (last names N-Z)
      • Computer Information Systems
      • Computer Science (last names N-Z)
  • Michelle N. Diaz, Academic Advisor 

    Email: diazmi@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3702

    Click to Schedule Appointment


     

    • Undergraduate Majors:
      • Mechanical Engineering (last names E-Z)
      • Pre-Engineering – Mechanical (last names E-Z)
      • Physics 

     

    • Graduate Majors:
      • Engineering Management
      • Physics
      • Systems Engineering

How to Schedule an Appointment with your CSE Advisor

CSE undergraduate and graduate students can meet with their assigned professional academic advisor by appointment through the following methods:

  • In-person
  • Virtual (Zoom)
  • Phone

To make an appointment, download theNavigate app, visit the CSE front desk, or call 281-283-3711. Please note that appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and will be canceled if you are more than 10 minutes late. To schedule an appointment through Navigate, follow these steps after logging in:                   

  1. Click on "Appointments"
  2. Select "Schedule an Appointment"
  3. Select "Advising"
  4. Select your primary reason for the appointment
  5. Select how you prefer to connect with your advisor (Virtually, In-Person, Phone)
  6. Add a comment to specify what you need assistance with

Additionally, we also have DROP-IN ADVISING hours where students can come by, check in at the front desk, and be seen without an appointment. Please call our front desk at 281-283-3711 to find out what days and times our drop-in hours are this semester.

Graduate Advising: To schedule a meeting with your faculty advisor, please contact them by email, phone, or in person during their office hours. Please note that faculty advisors are actively involved in teaching classes and conducting academic research, which may result in limited availability.

Pre-Advising Appointment Tips

Tips for New, Not-Yet Enrolled First-Semester CSE Students:

Before our appointment, please be sure to complete the following items. Addressing these as soon as possible will ensure you have no barriers to registration.  

  • Bacterial Meningitis Immunizations - If you are under age 22, you must provide proof of vaccination or exemption. A hold will be placed on your student account, preventing you from signing up for classes until valid proof or exemption of vaccination is provided to the UHCL Office of the Registrar (Academic Records). 
  • Texas Success Initiative (TSI) - Newly admitted students must show they are college-ready in reading, writing, and math or take the TSI Assessment before enrolling in college-level courses. This step must be completed before registering for classes. 
    • There are many ways to show you are college-ready:
      • Take the TSI test here at UHCL or submit your scores if you have already taken it elsewhere. You can send your official TSI Scores using the Accuplacer Student Portal link here: ACCUPLACER Student Portal -  The College Board
      • If you are an early college or dual credit student, submit your college transcript directly to the Office of Admissions before our appointment. Bring an unofficial copy with you when we meet.
      • If you took an AP test and received credit, log in to CollegeBoard and send your scores directly to the Office of Admissions.

Tips for All CSE Students:

For any meeting with an advisor, you should:

  • Review your academic progress using your Candidate Plan of Study and your Advisement Report in E-Services.
  • Prepare a list of questions or concerns for your advisor.
  • Gather relevant materials, such as transcripts, faculty emails, etc.
  • Review the Academic Calendar and familiarize yourself with important deadlines.
  • Always include your UHCL student ID number in any communication with your advisor.
  • Take time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, so you can actively engage in discussion and seek guidance on achieving your objectives during the advising session.

Contact

  • College of Science and Engineering Office of Academic Advising

    Phone: 281-283-3711
    Email: cseadvising@uhcl.edu

    Bayou Building 3611
    2700 Bay Area Blvd
    Houston, TX 77058-1002

    Office Hours:
    Mon-Thu: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
    Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Drop-In Advising Hours (no appointment required):
    Wed: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

    College of Science and Engineering Office of the Dean

    Phone: 281-283-3700

    Bayou Building 3611
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 415
    Houston, TX 77058-1002