Undergraduate Advising Handbook

The purpose of this Undergraduate Advising Handbook is to establish a clear foundation of what academic advising is and expectations of academic advising at Virginia Tech. This manual provides guiding principles, university-level expectations, and practical resources to help advisors deliver accurate information, foster meaningful relationships, and uphold the standards of professional advising. By articulating both the philosophy and responsibilities of advising, this resource ensures consistency, equity, and excellence across the advising experience.

Undergraduate Academic Advising at Virginia Tech follows a decentralized model in which each college and/or department determines the advising approach that works best for their students and allocated resources. Due to the decentralized nature of advising, Academic Advising Initiatives coordinates university-wide initiatives such as Virtual Academic Advising and Course Registration, Advising Strategic Plan, Weeks of Welcome, and works closely with Associate Deans and Advising Directors from each college.