Saint Mary’s College offers students an outstanding curricular program. Undergraduate students are able to pursue several degrees and majors as well as minors and certificates. These programs of study are supported by the offices and services in the Divisions of Academic Affairs. This division also implements the academic policies and procedures of the College. This section of the Bulletin describes these two aspects of academic life at Saint Mary’s College.
The staff of the Division of Academic Affairs support student learning that is achieved in the academic departments and interdisciplinary programs of the College. Headed by the Provost and Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs, this division includes the Provost, the Dean of Faculty, One Associate Dean and Senior Advising staff, the Division of Student Academic Services, the Department of Information Technology, the Center for Academic Innovation, the Cushwa-Leighton Library, the Office of Special Events, and 29 academic departments and interdisciplinary programs.
Additional offices in this division provide direct support for students seeking advising, ranging from registration for courses each semester and advice on success strategies to information on many opportunities for global education and women’s leadership. The Office of Academic Advising and Registrar, the Office of Retention and First-Year Experience, the Office of Student Success, Pre-Professional Advising, the Career Crossings Office, and the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership (for information about international programs and study abroad) are the offices which provide this direct advising support to the student.
The Office of Academic Advising and Registrar is the central advising office at Saint Mary’s College. The advising records of all undergraduate students are maintained in this office. In addition to administering academic policies, advisors in the office work closely with faculty advisors and professors to promote the academic life of all students. First-Year Students are assigned a First-Year Faculty Advisor during their first summer. The faculty advisor helps First-Year Students plan their schedules during the first year. When students decide on a major they will be assigned a departmental advisor in their major.
The Accessibility Resource Office works to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made to provide programmatic and physical access. Saint Mary’s College recognizes its obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (sub part E) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides for equal access. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
To inquire further, or to request an application, please contact the Accessibility Resource Office directly at aro@saintmarys.edu. We are located in the lower level of the library/learning commons.
The Office of Retention Strategies is committed to the success of first- and second-year undergraduate students as they navigate the transition to Saint Mary’s. This will be achieved by employing a mix of one-to-one student contact, program development and review of existing policies and procedures.
In order to better understand reasons for attrition and identify trends across years and populations, the Office of Retention Strategies will utilize data collected through institutional and national research. This data will inform the continued work of the executive director, as well as collaborations between departments and offices that directly serve students. In addition, the Office of Retention Strategies strives to bring to light social, emotional and academic needs of our students, and to build upon the existing cross-divisional relationships that serve as resources and support to students at risk of attrition.
The College’s mission and core values of Learning, Community, Faith/Spirituality and Justice guide the work of the Office of Retention Strategies. In addition, the work of the Office supports and finds inspiration in Revere and Revise: Saint Mary’s College 2030 Strategic Plan.
Select students are offered admission to Saint Mary’s College through the Student Success Program (SSP). Run out of the Office of Student Success, the SSP guides and supports these students as they adapt to the new challenges and expectations of life at the College. The SSP’s formal programming takes place throughout the Success Student’s first year and includes enrollment in EDUC 100 Strategies for Academic Success. Taught by the OSS director Aaron Bremyer, this two-credit course focuses on identifying and developing productive habits and evidence-based learning strategies. In regular conversations with the director, SSP members actively reflect on their academic progress, learning to recognize their specific challenges and strengths while exploring their motivations in order to devise effective academic strategies.
SSP members and any other student who chooses may participate in the S.H.A.R.P. Success Program, a popular Success Program available to any student at Saint Mary’s. Designed to cultivate and establish healthy academic habits, S.H.A.R.P. begins with a mandatory “study hall” of at least four hours each week. Held in the Library and
structured around each student’s individual schedule, S.H.A.R.P. builds effective habits while promoting academic accountability and perseverance for all participating students. The OSS offers additional programs for all students, including: a year-long workshop series focused on research-based approaches to learning and resilience; regular community-building events designed to cultivate a sense of belonging and purpose among SMC students; and Courage Keepers, a formal peer-mentorship program.
Any student is welcome to meet with the Director of the Office of Student Success to discuss individual academic challenges.
See the Pre-Med/Pre-Health Professions section for advising information.
Pre-law advising is provided to students through the Career Crossings Office. The pre-law advisor provides information to students about the application process, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and membership in the Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s Pre-Law Society.
Academic, Mission, and Student Affairs divisions collaborate to provide a more robust approach to advising. As a college committed to the legacy of the Sisters of the Holy Cross the advising system focuses student’s attention on several key questions. In the first year, programs such as First-Year Faculty Advising Program, Peer-Mentoring, and Common Experiences, allow all first-year students to explore answers to the question, “Why am I here?” In the sophomore and junior years, students explore the answers to the questions “What are my gifts and passions?” and “What do my community and the world need from me?” through programs sponsored by Campus Ministry, the Office of Civic and Social Engagement, the Center for Spirituality and the Career Crossings Office. These programs include retreats, experiential learning opportunities, Sophomore Pathways, Real Life Calling seminars, StrengthsQuest workshops, and internships. In their senior year, students will prepare to leave us with some provisional answers to the question, “How can I make a difference in the world?”.
All first-year students are enrolled in the following one-credit in the fall semester:
AVE 101 College in Practice This one-credit course offers a basic introduction to many facets of the academic experience at Saint Mary’s College. In it, a variety of topics are discussed: practical tips such as course selection, registration, time management and learning strategies; techniques for finding a major; information about unique opportunities and important resources on campus; and, of course, deeper questions about the core values that characterize the Saint Mary’s community, as well as the value of the liberal arts, integrative learning, and higher education.
This class generally meets three times a week during the first half of the semester in groups of 20 students and is taught by a faculty member who serves as the students’ academic advisor. An upper-class student who serves as a peer mentor to this group of students also participates. This common course is designed to introduce first-year students to the many facets of their academic experience at the College and encompasses the following learning outcomes:
Career Services, located in the PACE Center, offers career coaching and support for all students throughout their studies at Saint Mary’s and beyond with access to lifetime services. Information on career resources and programs are available by contacting the office in 162 Le Mans Hall, calling (574) 284-4775, or emailing career@saintmarys.edu. Career advising appointments can be scheduled on Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/edu/appointments.
Instrumental to students’ career development, Career Services provides guidance in choosing a major and exploring career paths aligned with individual interests, values, and strengths. Students have access to:
Career Services supports students throughout the internship search process, including goal setting, search strategies, and application preparation. Students can attend workshops and schedule one-on-one appointments for personalized guidance.
Career Services helps students develop effective job search strategies tailored to their goals. Support includes networking, researching opportunities, and strengthening application materials such as resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles.
Application materials are key to making a strong first impression. Career Services provides individualized feedback and resources to help students develop effective resumes, CVs, and cover letters tailored to their goals. Additional tools and templates are available on Handshake.
Strong networking and interviewing skills are essential for career success. Career Services offers LinkedIn coaching, mock interviews, and opportunities to practice and refine communication skills. Students are supported in building a strong presence on LinkedIn and The Bridge, leveraging the platforms for networking, and connecting with alumnae and professionals across industries.
Career Services provides support for students exploring graduate and professional programs, including guidance on applications, personal statements, entrance exams, and financial aid. They co-sponsor a Ready, Set, Go to Grad School workshop each semester. The office also serves as the primary resource for law school advising.
In addition to employment, many students pursue service and volunteer opportunities after graduation. Career Services helps students explore how service can support long-term goals and partners with the Division for Mission to connect students with opportunities at the local, national, and global levels.
Employers from a variety of industries recruit Saint Mary’s students through on-campus and virtual events, including interviews, information sessions, and tabling. Career Services hosts an all-industry career fair in the fall and specialized employer meetups in the spring that are industry-focused.
Handshake is the primary platform for job and internship opportunities. Students can search and apply for positions, connect with employers, upload resumes, access career resources, schedule career advising appointments, and more. Access the site at https://saintmarys.joinhandshake.com
The Bridge is Saint Mary’s online community connecting students and alumnae for networking, mentoring, and career exploration. Through The Bridge, students can build meaningful connections, seek career advice, explore industries, and identify opportunities for internships and job shadowing. Access The Bridge at https://thebridge.saintmarys.edu.
Career Services offers additional resources to support student success, including connections to Dress for Success Michiana for free professional attire, helping students feel confident and prepared for interviews, internships, and the workplace. DFSM is located on campus in Holy Cross Hall. Students can make a suiting appointment online at https://bit.ly/dfsmsuitme.
The Center for Academic Innovation was founded in 1993 to support the academic excellence of Saint Mary’s College. The CFAI administers research and teaching grants for faculty, collaborative research grants for faculty teams (COSTAR), and the Student Independent Study and Research (SISTAR) program, in which student and faculty partners work together on scholarly or creative projects. The CFAI also supports student travel grants that enable students to travel to academic conferences and environments in which they can either share or engage in their own scholarship or research.
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