Parents - Welcome!

Welcome to Penn State Hazleton and the Academic Advising and Career Services Center. This information is for you! You are transitioning from a caregiver to a consultant just like your student is transitioning from high school to college. We recognize that this is not an overnight process. The content here will help connect you to valuable information and resources to help you better help your student.

How to Help Us Help Your Student

We often find that parents are eager to support their student in the advising process as which is a critical part of their student’s success. It is important for parents to understand that we work to establish a relationship with their student from the very beginning. Therefore, when parents accompany their new, returning, or transfer student to an advising appointment, we ask parents to wait while we talk to the student first.

Please understand, we are not trying to exclude parents from the advising process completely. However, this is a time for students to begin their journey as independent thinkers and decision makers related to their academic goals. We will make sure they are equipped to share all the information we share with them with you. Keep in mind, if the adviser thinks it is necessary for you to be present during the advising process, the adviser will invite you into the conversation after first visiting with the student first and receiving their permission. 

Why? Because once the student enters college, we are bound by FERPA - a law that protects student’s academic information. Anytime a third party is involved (Yes, even parents are defined as third parties in the eyes of the law!), a FERPA release will be discussed with and signed by your student in advance of you joining the conversation. If the student chooses not to sign the FERPA release, we are bound by this law to honor the student’s request for privacy.  

Students may grant delegated access to parents, guardians, or other individuals to view specific student data in LionPATH. The student can determine who they wish to delegate to, what areas they wish to provide access to, and when to activate or deactivate those delegates as needed. Ultimately, the student may provide delegated access in LionPATH to the following areas:

  • Enrollment verification requests
  • Class schedule
  • Grades
  • Holds
  • To do list
  • Financial aid

More information about LionPATH Delegated Access, including instructions for how to access LionPATH once delegated access has been granted, can be found on the LionPATH Support website.

Role of an Academic Adviser

In many ways, academic advisers do more than simply help students register for classes. They are a teacher and facilitator who fosters and encourages personal and intellectual growth in students. Academic advisers are well informed of the university’s resources. They offer a wealth of knowledge to help students navigate the institutional system and academic regulations.

In short, academic advisers help students develop meaningful educational plans that are compatible with personal and/or career goals and instill a desire for lifelong learning.

The adviser:

  • Monitors student progress and guides the student toward academic success
  • Helps the student understand their responsibilities toward academic success
  • Acts as a liaison between the University and the student
  • Acts as an advocate for the student
  • Refers the student to appropriate University resources

Student’s Role in Academic Advising

Student responsibility is the key to all development and learning. To have a successful and meaningful college experience, students must accept full responsibility for their personal and academic progress. Academic advisers and parents can act as role models to help students accept this responsibility.

The student role:

  • Read all emails sent to your Penn State email account
  • Know who your adviser is. If you don't know, you can check in LionPATH
  • Don't wait until the last minute to schedule your appointments
  • Come prepared for your appointment – course ideas, questions, etc.
  • Be responsible for learning and understanding
  • Monitor your own academic progress
  • Know the degree requirements of your college and major of interest
  • Communicate with your adviser regarding issues and/or concerns about academics or student life
  • Attend classes regularly
  • Manage time 
  • Become familiar with University resources.
  • Understand and adhere to University policies, especially academic integrity
  • Remember: "Advisors advise, students decide"

Role of Parents and Families in Academic Advising

The most valuable things families and supporters can offer their college students are support and encouragement. Because students look up to their parents as mentors and role models, positive reinforcement from parents is crucial to college success.

It is also important that advisers, students and parents/families support each other in helping students make responsible decisions that will shape their future. Young college students are in the process of realizing their autonomy. It is important for parents and families to let their student do things for themselves so the student can emerge from college as a capable adult.

Parent/family role:

  • Be available to support and encourage
  • Maintain regular contact
  • Offer advice (when appropriate)
  • Encourage students to do things they can do for themselves
  • Allow students to make mistakes in this safe environment

How You Can Help Your Student Succeed

We know family and friends are a huge influence in students’ lives. Toward that end, here is a basic timeline of what students might be thinking about (and needing to talk about with you) during their years at Penn State.

First Year
Meeting on a regular basis with their academic adviser; researching or confirming a major; determining degree requirements; looking into academic support services ( e.g. tutoring); forming study groups with peers; thinking about education abroad; looking into extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, jobs, internships).

Second Year
Meeting on a regular basis with their academic adviser; declaring a major and creating a long-term course plan; applying to study abroad; getting to know faculty in prospective or declared major(s); thinking about possible career paths and/or graduate school plans; looking into extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, jobs, internships).

Third Year
Meeting on a regular basis with their academic adviser; finalizing major plans; check on progress with graduation requirements; meeting with our Career Services Coordinator to explore graduate schools and/or career plans; talking to faculty about post-graduate plans and (if applicable) letters of recommendation.

Fourth Year
Meeting on a regular basis with their academic adviser; pursuing internships and/or independent study with faculty; preparing graduate school applications and finalizing faculty recommendation letters (if applicable); checking that all graduation requirements will be met; applying for graduation and participating in graduation ceremony.

Making an Appointment with Your Academic Adviser or Career Services through Starfish

  1. Click Schedule Appointment below the contact information for the desired person or service in the My Success Network or Courses.
  2. Use the small calendar on the left to quickly identify days with available office hours (available days will be shown in bold). Click the desired date in the small monthly calendar to display availability on that day.
  3. Available time slots on the selected day will include a Sign Up link. 
  4. Click the Sign Up link associated with the desired time slot.
  5. This opens the Add Appointment field. Complete the form by selecting a reason for the meeting (and a course if relevant). Include an explanation of what you need so that your instructor or adviser can be prepared for the meeting.
  6. Click Submit to set the appointment. You will get an email with the appointment details and the appointment will be listed on your Dashboard.
  7. If you choose to cancel an appointment, please do so as far in advance as possible so the slot can be used by another student.