Advising

The Department of Forensic and Investigative Science is concerned about the success of its students and invests time and personnel in the advising process. Student success begins with a recognition that the needs of students change with time. The department's program is designed to respond to those changes.

Advisors

Ms. Lori Britton, Academic Advisor

Phone: (304) 293-2578
Email: Lori.Britton@mail.wvu.edu

Ms. Britton works with all third and fourth year* students. She will also assist with the application and graduation processes.

Lisa Licata, Advising Specialist

Phone: (304) 293-2075
Email: lisa.licata@mail.wvu.edu

Mrs. Licata works with all first and second year* students.

Nicholas Haas-Brown, Advising Specialist

Phone: (304) 293-3853
Email: nicholas.haas@mail.wvu.edu

Mr. Brown works with all first and second year* students.

Stephanie Dykas, Academic Advisor

Phone: (304) 293-7651
Email: stephanie.dykas@mail.wvu.edu

Ms. Dykas works with second year* students moving to Upper-Division FIS Classes and third year students preparing for their internship and senior year.

Dr. Rachel Mohr, Undergraduate Coordinator

Phone: (304)-293-8483
Email: rmmohr@mail.wvu.edu

Dr. Mohr is responsible for resolving curriculum issues and other problems. Students who wish to request course substitutions or similar exceptions should contact her.

Dr. Robin Bowen, FIS Minor Coordinator

Phone: (304) 29306214
Email:  robin.bowen@mail.wvu.edu

Dr. Bowen will assist all FIS minor students to assure requirements are met and permissions are granted, if necessary.

*Class level (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) are based off credits earned while year (First, Second, Third, Fourth) is based off benchmark coursework.

Our Advising Philosophy

The department’s student-centric advising philosophy includes supporting both our students’ immediate academic goals and long-term career aspirations. Our “intrusive” approach follows the norm that is practiced at the college level nationally; it involves attention to detail and asking the right questions to draw out student issues such as academic preparation, student misconceptions about career, college transition, etc. Our goal is to build a strong bond of support focused on student success. Our advising efforts are built upon the principle of shared responsibility--our faculty and staff will provide a firm but nurturing environment, which is directed toward helping students learn the practical skills they will need to navigate the college experience; our students will provide the commitment and willingness to meet the academic expectations and rigor of the degree program. 

The following principles guide our objectives:

Approachable

Forensic and Investigative Science students come from a wide array of backgrounds, with diverse needs and individual situations. They may need to consult an advisor just once a semester or they may need more intensive support. Each student will be assigned an advisor who will be available to them as needed. Students should feel comfortable with bringing up academic and departmental issues with their advisors.

Self-Directed

West Virginia University is a large institution, with many rules, regulations, guidelines and policies that affect a student’s academic progress. As advisors, we will actively seek the current and correct answers for student problems. In turn, we expect students, as future “investigative” scientists, to attempt to seek out and find their own answers and methods to resolve problems. Our students are expected to make informed choices and take deliberate actions about their college experience, whether that is choosing a class or simply knowing when to register for classes.

Critical Thinking

Student success is an ongoing, active exercise. Based on a shared understanding of a student’s needs, we will seek to identify the best corrective actions for academic roadblocks to a student’s progress. These actions might include assisting our students to find tutoring or extra academic help. We also endeavor to help our students critically evaluate their own progress and goals and to decide where they want to go in life.

Organized

Our goal as professionals is to ensure that no issue and no student “slips through the cracks.” Such advising is based on the principles of building a relationship with each student, coming prepared for the student’s advising session, asking meaningful questions, and maintaining regular contact. We will document and address student issues efficiently and commit to being transparent about how and why decisions are made. We expect that our students will also be prepared for interactions with their advisors, by completely reading communications from their advisors, keeping track of paperwork, and heeding deadlines and due dates.

Academic Advising

All students will meet with their academic advisor at least once each fall and spring semester. Students should check DegreeWorks before their planned advising sessions for any problems.

Each student meets individually with the advisor to address any specific curricular issues that they are having. Students who do not attend the advising meeting will not have their registration hold lifted until after all other students have been allowed to register.

After advising, please allow 24 hours for your registration hold to be lifted, or for you to be given permission to register for any particular courses.

Graduating Seniors

Once you have accrued 90 credit hours, the department will be notified to review your progress and determine if you are likely to be ready to graduate in the next year. Your academic advisor will discuss the results of this review, usually in the fall of your senior year.

Seniors should fill out the Eberly College Application Review well in advance of their anticipated graduation. If you are planning to graduate in May, the review should be completed by mid-January. If you are planning for August, you should complete the review in May. December graduates should submit by mid-September. You should not apply for review before you have registered for your final semester of classes, though.

After you complete the College Application Review, you should formally apply for graduation, using either the STAR program or DegreeWorks, following the instruction and dates from the Office of the Registrar.

Finally, register to attend commencement. For May commencement, register through Eberly College’s commencement page. All others should register through graduation.wvu.edu.