Advising & Support

Undergraduate Academic Advising

The IB Academic Advisors strive to provide undergraduate students with timely and informative advice regarding appropriate course selection, academic strategies, career planning, and professional/graduate school planning. We also endeavor to help guide students’ decision-making processes and foster in our students a sense of ownership of their undergraduate educations.

Academic Advising Resources

Plan next semester at our Registration Preparation FAQ page
Learn about how we can help on the Advising FAQ page
Subscribe to and read IB Info and Opportunities Newsletter
Email us at advising@sib.illinois.edu with a quick question
Visit us during drop-in hours 1:30-3:30 pm on Wednesdays
— In-person at 2002 Natural History Building
— Zoom via go.illinois.edu/IBExpressAdvising
Make an appointment
— In-person or via Zoom
Call us at 217-333-3046

To get the most out of your advising experience, we ask that you

Meet with your advisor at least once a semester.
Keep appointments (or call to change or cancel them when necessary).
Prepare for appointments by researching your concerns and writing down questions.
Choose your own class schedule before meeting with your advisor to discuss it.
If you are interested in creating a 4-year plan for yourself, bring a draft to the appointment.
Utilize resources and read all newsletters and emails thoroughly.
Be open in discussing your experience at Illinois, academic progress, and study habits.
Keep track of important dates and deadlines for the academic year.

Meet the Advising Staff

Jessica Fink

Education

• M.S in Educational Leadership - College Student Development: Oklahoma State University
• B.S. in Advertising: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Best Part of My Job

When I am working with a student and they have that 'Ah Hah!' moment. I love helping students find their passion and what they want to do with their career.

Interests

Rock climbing, hiking, biking, baseball, being a dog mom.

Christina Swanson

Education

• M.A. in Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• M.S. in Entomology: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• B.S. in Biology: University of Michigan

Best Part of My Job

I love when someone walks (or clicks) out of my office with a tangible next step and a contact person who can provide more clarity about their future. It makes my day to help people find direction and to have that moment of relief knowing exactly how to move forward with their careers and goals. I also really like analyzing surveys...I enjoy the hunt for patterns and especially love when I can use that information to help make a positive change.

Interests

My twin toddler girls are the best and most time-consuming part of my life right now! I absolutely love hiking in natural areas: Allerton, Meadowbrook, the Arb, and Lake of the Woods are my favorite places around C-U. I also love board games, insects, and learning something new.

Career Connections

- SIB Alumni Mentoring Program