Academic Support

• Ask questions and be an active listener in the advising process
• Take ownership of your academic plans at RCC, including accepting responsibility for your decisions and actions
• Be proactive and prepared to collaborate on your academic, career, and personal goals
• Become knowledgeable about RCC degree/certificate programs, policies and procedures
• Know important dates and deadlines in the academic calendar, including Add/Drop, Course Withdrawal, and Registration
• Show up to appointments with a photo ID (RCC ID or any Government-issued ID); be on time and come prepared with questions and materials for discussion; please refrain from cell phone use (no texting) during appointments (For online appointments: please make sure you are not in class, working, in another meeting, driving/traveling, in a public space, or preoccupied)
• Learn how to navigate MyRCC, including online registration (adding and dropping of classes)
• Know the requirements for maintaining Good Academic Standing
• Check your RCC e-mail daily
• Communicate with your advisor regularly and meet twice (2X) a semester
• Learn about FERPA: Protecting Student Privacy
• Utilize campus resources and support systems to be successful 
  

You can expect your academic advisor to: 

• Listen and address your interests and concerns (academic, career, personal)
• Respect individual values and personal choices 
  
• Provide major exploration: the process of exploring and deciding on a college major 
  
• Familiarize you with MyRCC, and assist with course selection and registration, as well as long-term academic planning 
  
• Monitor your academic progress and review your progress toward certificate or degree completion 
  
• Assist with schedule adjustment (add, drop, withdrawal of classes)
• Maintain knowledge of institutional policies and procedures 
  
• Connect you to campus resources and make referrals, based on individual needs 
  
• Discuss career interests and help to identify post-graduation plans 
  
• Process a Change of Major 
  
• Run a degree audit and submit a Petition to Graduate 
  
• Maintain confidentiality, when possible 
  
• Empower you, as the student, to make informed decisions 
  
• Provide individualized attention and holistic support 
  

Whether you have a scheduled appointment or are coming to the Center for Advising, Retention, and SUCCESS during drop-in hours, it is important that you are prepared for meeting with your advisor. 

• Know the purpose of your appointment and what you would like to have addressed
• Write down your questions and concerns on a piece of paper, so you don’t forget 
  
• Complete Placement Test(s) and have score(s), if applicable 
  
• Have transfer coursework/exam scores (AP/IB) evaluated 
  
• Review your transcript and your current degree audit (if available), along with your program plan of study 
  
• Think about what courses you would like to take in the upcoming semester and what times of the day you would like to take classes; know what time of day you are at your best 
  
• Consider your outside obligations (work, family, practice) and what is a manageable courseload for you 
  
• Should you need extra support, academically or personally, come prepared to discuss what campus resources or referrals you would like your advisor to provide 
  

If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college/university, please consider planning ahead; make early connections with RCC’s Transfer Coordinator as well as transfer admissions counselors from your target schools. Visit the RCC Transfer Services Web site for most of the general information needed to get started: https://www.rcc.mass.edu/current-students/transfer-services/index.html 

All RCC students are expected to maintain Good Academic Standing toward certificate/degree completion. Good Academic Standing establishes a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) based on credit hours attempted. The College considers a student to be in Good Academic Standing if they meet the following minimal cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA):Credit Hours Attempted  Minimum

Cumulative GPA 
0-12  1.50 
13-30  1.70 
31 or more credit hours  2.00 

(Student Retention Table, 2024 – 2026 Catalog) 

Academic Sanctions include Academic Warning, Academic Probation, and Suspension. Students who are not in Good Academic Standing must consult with an Academic Advisor and utilize academic support services.

The Center for Advising, Retention, and SUCCESS is an open, respectful, and inclusive space for all individuals. We serve students of all abilities, genders, cultures, races, sexual orientations, and socio-economic statuses. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner when visiting the Center for Advising, Retention, and SUCCESS.

Academic and Faculty Advisors are eager to assist students with understanding degree requirements, selecting appropriate courses, creating and reaching educational goals, and staying on track for graduation. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their Academic Advisor or Faculty Advisor and attend advising events such as Majors Days and Advising Information Sessions.

Students are also encouraged to monitor their own progress towards program completion. You may review your program requirements and the progress you have made towards fulfilling these requirements at any time by logging into https://myrcc.rcc.mass.edu/ and viewing your Advising Worksheet.

Your Advising Worksheet displays your program requirements as well as the progress you have made towards completing your degree. Your Advising Worksheet will be an important tool throughout your academic career at RCC. You should periodically refer to it to ensure that you are registering for appropriate classes and that you are on track to graduate.

For detailed instructions on how to access your Advising Worksheet, please click here. If you have questions about how to interpret your Advising Worksheet, please contact your Advisor.

Your ACS instructor will also help you to create an educational plan that will reflect your academic goals (including transfer to a 4-year college), career interests, and degree requirements.

To identify your assigned Advisor, log into https://myrcc.rcc.mass.edu/ and select the "Students" tab. Your advisor will be listed under "Important Information."

If your Advisor is a Faculty member, you may contact him or her to schedule an introductory meeting. Under the "Important Information" tab at https://myrcc.rcc.mass.edu/, the contact information of all assigned advisors is listed.

If you need help identifying or locating your Advisor, you may contact the Advising Center for assistance.

If you would like to request a particular professor as your advisor:

1. Complete this form with the professor.
2. Submit the form to the Academic Advising Center (Building 2, Room 101) by September 19 (Fall semester) or January 31 (Spring semester).

Please note that the Department of Academic Advising will attempt to fulfill Advisor requests whenever possible. Submission of an Advisor Request form does not guarantee the assignment. Students will be able to identify their advisor by logging into https://myrcc.rcc.mass.edu/ after November 1 (Fall semester) and April 1 (Spring semester).

Prior to registering for courses, you may view your Advising Worksheet to understand your program requirements and the progress you have made towards fulfilling these requirements. Your Advising Worksheet will tell you which courses you must still complete to complete your degree.

Please note that some courses have prerequisites and/or placement test requirements.

You should only register for courses that are listed on your Advising Worksheet as a degree requirement and/or courses that are necessary prerequisites for your degree requirements. Please note that if you register for courses outside of your program of study, your Financial Aid may be impacted. If you have questions about your Financial Aid, please contact the Department of Financial Aid.

The following items will help you to understand which prerequisite(s), if any, you must complete to attain your degree:

• The course catalog, which states each course's prerequisite, if any.
• Your Advising Worksheet.
• Your placement test results.

Students without holds may register online for classes during the Early Registration period, either independently or with the assistance of their advisor, by logging into https://myrcc.rcc.mass.edu/. For detailed instructions on how to register online, please click here.

Students who are not in Good Academic Standing may register for classes in accordance with the Academic Standing Policy and during the timeline outlined by this Policy.

Any student who wishes to change their major should first meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss the process and potential impacts of the change. If you decide to change your major, you will need to complete a Change of Major Form with the assistance of an advisor.

After the Change of Major form has been processed by the Registrar, all program and graduation requirements in effect at the time of the major change must be fulfilled.

Please be aware that a major change may lengthen the time needed to complete graduation requirements and may affect financial aid eligibility.

Students nearing completion of their degree or certificate program must complete a Petition to Graduate Form with the assistance of their Faculty Advisor or an Academic Advisor and submit the completed form to the Registrar's Office (Building 2, Room 202). Petition to Graduate forms are available electronically and at the Center for Advising, Retention, and SUCCESS (Building 3, Room 201).

Students who completed courses at another community college or university must submit a copy of their official transcript to the Registrar's Office prior to petitioning to graduate.

All December, May, and August graduates are invited and encouraged to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony.

RCC offers a variety of free campus resources and services. You may read more about these resources here.

Building 3, Room 201 

Email: AdvisingStaff@rcc.mass.edu

Advisor Chat (via MS Teams):  advisingstaffemail@rcc.mass.edu

Phone: 857-701-1224

Emily Johnson, Director, Advising and Retention

Sara Mariam, Senior Academic Advisor
Kayla Schneider, Academic Advisor
Yuzelly Rios, Academic Advisor
Karissa Diaz, Senior SUCCESS Advisor
Javonny Elow, SUCCESS Advisor

Lisa Soto, Clerk