Academics

Academic Advising

Each international student is assigned a faculty advisor and a staff advisor. Faculty advisors assist you with course selection and registration each semester, choosing a major, and planning to complete a degree. They are available to meet during weekly office hours or by appointment.

• Once you declare a major, you will be assigned a faculty advisor from that field of study. If you want to change your advisor, you may discuss the change with the Registrar.
• If you are transferring to MBC from another college or university, the Registrar can help determine which courses are transferrable.
• Refer to the Academic Catalog for a complete list of degree requirements, including General Education requirements and a list of majors and minors.

Understanding Professors

The faculty at MBC takes a very active role in their students’ education.

• Office Hours: are times outside of class when professors are available to help students. They are required to keep office hours and encourage you to come then if you have questions or difficulty with the material.
• Participation points: A percentage of your grade is often based on points that are given for class attendance or classroom discussion.
  • These points may seem difficult because of language differences.
  • However, if you show an interest in the material being discussed and speak up
    when you have a comment or question (even if your English isn’t perfect!), the
    professor will reward you for your participation.
• Try to bring a note to explain absences in advance or, if you’re sick, bring a note
  from the Health Center for the absence to be “excused”.
• Teaching Assistants or TA’s (as they are more commonly known): are students who have taken the class before, have shown exceptional skill in the field, and have been selected by the professor to assist the class.
  • If there is some aspect of the course that you are having difficulty understanding,
    seek the help of the TA.
• The professor and TA will both provide their contact information for you on the
  first day of class.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Non-native English speakers can continue to strengthen their language skills by taking English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in the fall and spring semesters for three credit hours each.

Learning Skills Center (LSC)

mbc.edu/learning_skills/
LSC Director Beverly Askegaard, baskegaa@mbc.edu
ext. 7250
[Location: on the second floor of Rose Terrace]

Students at MBC should seek help from faculty or tutors when they are having difficulty in a class. The Learning Skills Center (LSC) helps students develop sound academic skills and offers assistance to struggling students. Their programs are listed below.

Peer Tutors in Math

[Location: Carpenter Academic 209]

Many students who need help with math courses use the LSC’s Math Peer Tutor program. Trained tutors are available Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for help in Math 130, 150, 160, 211, 212, and 213.

Match-a-Tutor

Tutors are available in any subject at no additional cost to the student. Contact the LSC to arrange for a tutor.

Peer Mentoring

Peer mentors are high-performing students who can confidentially help you:

• manage your time
• learn effective study skills
• adjust to college life

To arrange for a peer mentor, contact the LSC Director.

Writing Center

mbc.edu/writing_center/
ext. 7038
[Location: Carpenter Academic 409; Open 8:30-4:30]

• This is a free service to students, faculty, and staff at Mary Baldwin College.
• In individual tutorial sessions, consultants assist with all stages of the writing process, including narrowing a topic, generating ideas, organizing an essay, crafting a thesis, writing an initial essay, revising a draft, and editing a final draft.
• Peer tutors help students write for numerous disciplines within a variety of formats (lab reports, research papers, critical essays, book reports, newspaper articles, and critiques) and encourage students to become creative, thoughtful writers, attentive readers, and careful editors.
• Students may visit the Writing Center during walk-in hours or arrange a tutorial session by calling.

Office of First Year Experience

mbc.edu/fye
ext. 7230 or 7064
FirstYear@mbc.edu

The role of this office is to make sure you have the tools to be successful at the start of your college career and beyond. Their goal is to help you to feel at home, to know your way around, and to make the best possible transition to college.