First-Year Advising

First-Year Advising

As you enter Wellesley this fall, you will meet many advisors and mentors, and you will have access to people in critical academic support services. All are dedicated to making your first year at Wellesley as successful as possible. Make good use of them!

College Advisors

Each first-year student is paired with a member of the faculty, who will serve as their College Advisor through the first year. (In the sophomore year, students choose a faculty member to advise them as they choose a major, and that person may or may not be the same as the College Advisor, depending on the student.) Your College Advisor’s job is to help you think most broadly about how to take advantage of the opportunities Wellesley offers. You will find out who your College Advisor is on MyWellesley in mid-August, and should plan to meet with her or him during orientation or during the first week of classes.

Orientation Mentors

Each first-year student is part of an Orientation Mentor group led by an upperclass student trained to assist students in making an effective transition to Wellesley College. Mentors are invaluable as guides to student life at Wellesley, because they are students themselves. Watch for information about your mentor, which we plan to post in MyWellesley in late July. In August, you will be able to talk with your mentor and others in your group in a Google group set up for your mentor group, which will help you get ready for your arrival on campus.

Academic Success Coaches

Academic Success Coaches are student leaders trained to work with students on study skills and help specifically with the academic aspects of the transition to Wellesley.

First Year Dean

Shannon Butler-Mokoro serves as the Dean for First-Year Students, and she is charged with overseeing the academic and personal growth of all first-year students. She is available throughout the semester to meet with first-year students, and welcomes your questions and conversation on your goals and hopes, your academic experiences, and your adjustment to Wellesley. Other members of the Class Deans' office are happy to meet with first year students too, and you can learn about them and see their office hours here. 

Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center

This is home to a variety of programs and services designed to help all Wellesley students achieve their full academic potential. Tutoring is the primary service provided by the PLTC, but also offered are a large collection of printed resources on effective learning, and individual consultation with the director on study skills and learning styles. Learn more about the PLTC. 

Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources

Students needing accommodations for specific learning issues or other disabilities should complete the online Accessibility and Disability Resources form (available on the Entering Student Checklist on MyWellesley) in order to give the staff time to prepare for their support as students arrive on campus. You can find out more about Accessibility and Disability Resources.