Students are assigned Academic Advisors prior to matriculation. Students meet their Academic Advisors for the first time during August’s orientation, and then at least twice per year thereafter — typically at the beginning of each semester. Academic Advisors serve as a touchpoint for students to review progress, coordinate goals, and help identify potential research advisors and/or topics. Academic Advisors can also support students in the development of academic plans in the event that a comprehensive exam is not passed. At the beginning of each meeting (except the first occurring during orientation), students should be prepared to summarize activities since their last meeting, including (as applicable) their coursework, research assistantship, teaching assistantship, and other academic activities. With the exception of the first such meeting, students are responsible for reaching out to their Academic Advisor to schedule meetings; students should notify the Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Manager when each biannual meeting has occurred. MS students maintain their Academic Advisor until they have both passed the requisite comprehensive exams and declared an MS Research Advisor. PhD students maintain their Academic Advisor until they have both passed the requisite comprehensive exams and declared a Doctoral Qualifying Exam Advisor. While the formal assignment of an Academic Advisor is time-limited, students should feel free to maintain their mentoring connection if that connection contributes to their perceived academic support.