Getting ready for fall 2021

Tips from the ECEE academic advising staff

The new academic year is only a few weeks away and the ECEE faculty and staff are preparing for an energetic start to the fall semester.

This week, our academic advising staff shares their wise advice on making the most of your first semester. Whether you are a returning student or joining us for the first time, these tips will help make the fall 2021 semester a powerful one!

 

Meet with your advisor

Make sure you take the effort to make your experience here as meaningful as possible. If you don’t know where to start, see your advisor right away. We’re here to help!

Robert Monahan

Assistant Director for Academic Services

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
ASU= 15, ECEE= 3
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Get involved with your education beyond your lectures, labs, homework, etc.
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
Ask one of your faculty in office hours why they are an EE and consider their answer when thinking about your future.
 
Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
I love an early morning hike up A mountain and seeing new students checking it our for the first time in the fall.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
Being an EE in FSE at ASU is excellent! You get all the resources of a large, dynamic university and individual attention from our advising staff and faculty. Make an effort to show up to our events when you hear about them. Make it a habit! Make sure you take the effort to make your experience here as meaningful as possible. If you don’t know where to start, see your advisor right away. We’re here to help!

Have fun

Have fun! ASU is an amazing place with so many great opportunities for you. Enjoy your time and make the most of it (but still study and go to class).

Lynn Pratte

Academic Success Advising Coordinator, Senior , Graduate advising

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
6 years
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Have fun! ASU is an amazing place with so many great opportunities for you. Enjoy your time and make the most of it (but still study and go to class).
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
Help your classmates out. If you see someone struggling, lost, or overwhelmed, take a minute of your day and help them out. You were once a new student on campus and you know how overwhelming it can be! Welcome our new students to the Sun Devil family!
 
Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
Fall Welcome is such a great time for me as an advisor. I have been emailing with these students for months, so actually getting to see them and meet them is awesome.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
Welcome to the Sun Devil family! Get involved, make the most of your time here, and let your advisor know if you need anything.

Meet new people

Join loads of clubs and meet new people! Take advantage of all the resources.

Anneliese Mougharbel

Academic Advisor, Senior

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
7 years ASU, 3 years ECEE
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Join loads of clubs and meet new people! Take advantage of all the resources.
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
Make time to get to know our awesome ECEE faculty via office hours.
 
Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
New student welcome, Club and Organization Fair
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
We are so excited to see you all in person!

Take care of yourself

Make sure you take care of yourself mentally and physically. Don’t try and stay up all night cramming, prepare and make time for self-care like exercise and eating right!

Gia McLaughlin

Academic Success Coordinator, Sr. Online Advising

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
7 years at ASU and ECEE

What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Make sure you take care of yourself mentally and physically. Don’t try and stay up all night cramming, prepare and make time for self-care like exercise and eating right!

What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
Good job – you are persevering because you are returning for a new semester! Reflect on what worked and what didn’t last semester and take steps to improve on the positives!

Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
Sun Devil FOOTBALL!! Let’s make it a great year — GO DEVILS

Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
We are so happy and proud you have chosen ASU and electrical engineering for your degree plan — we are here to help so please make a point to meet with us at least once a semester!

Ask questions

Always ask questions if you are unsure of something. Take some deep breaths if you feel overwhelmed. Don’t wait to ask for assistance advising is here to help.

Sno Kleespies

Academic Success Specialist (Graduate Students last names P-Z)

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
ASU 15 years, ECEE 6 years
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Always ask questions if you are unsure of something. Take some deep breaths if you feel overwhelmed. Don’t wait to ask for assistance advising is here to help.
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
Set a realistic plan/goal for the semester. Always look at the big picture, focusing only on one issue limits your ability to move forward. Please remember advising is here to listen if you need to talk and answer questions you have.
 
Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
Graduation! Dreams become realities, it is an amazing transformation to see.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester I look forward to working with you.

Stay connected

Stay connected and focused, participate as much as you can, get to know some new students, and contact your academic advisor whenever you need assistance.

Toni Mengert

Academic Success Advisor, Senior

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
In total, I have been with ASU for 16 years and with ECEE for 9 years
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Get involved, meet new people, remember to take good care of yourself and have some fun, familiarize yourself with the campus and the resources available (especially your academic advisor!), follow deadlines, read your handbook, establish a well balanced routine for yourself, and make the best of the short time you have here!
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
Stay connected and focused, participate as much as you can, get to know some new students, and contact your academic advisor whenever you need assistance.
 
Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
The cooler weather! And I love to bake apple and pumpkin everything!
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here to join us. We hope you love it here. Your friendly academic advisor is available to assist you so please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Be visible

See your advisors and professors often! Even if you think you have “nothing to talk about.” Be visible to them.

Cheryl McAfee

Specialist

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
At ASU since 1997; at ECEE since 2006.
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
See your advisors and professors often! Even if you think you have “nothing to talk about.” Be visible to them.
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
You are not alone, and you are not the only one in your position. There are MANY returning students! We are all students.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
You will not regret coming to ASU to get an education. Congratulations for taking the plunge. REMEMBER the ASU staff and faculty are here to help you.

Do it again

You did it before and you can do it again! Keep in communication with your professors and fellow students too.

Christopher Tennefos

Academic Success Advisor

How long have you been with ASU and ECEE?
1 year
 
What advice would you give a new student starting out at ASU?
Be sure to reach out to your advisors and your success coaches! We’re here for you!
 
What advice would you give a returning student for a successful academic year?
You did it before and you can do it again! Keep in communication with your professors and fellow students too.
 
Is there a fall tradition or event you are most looking forward to?
ECEE Demo Day for Capstone Projects
 
Is there anything else you’d like to say to our fall 2021 students?
Welcome to a wonderful Fall semester! Go Devils!

Have questions?

Contact advising to ensure you have a successful start to the academic year.

Connect with your advisor

  • New online undergrads starting classes in Summer or Fall, email [email protected] to schedule your New Student Webinar.
  • Current undergrads, schedule a Zoom or phone appointment with an advisor using the appointment form.
  • Graduate students, drop-in advising is available on Zoom. Email [email protected] for details.
  • Any student may also email us questions at [email protected].