Student Handbook 2024-2025

Academic Advisors

At the time of enrollment, each student will be assigned an academic advisor. The advisor’s role is to offer counsel regarding the student’s program of study, to make referrals to other services, to provide academic guidance when transferring to other institutions, and to help students monitor their academic progress realistically. Before registering, students are required to meet with their advisors.

With the advent of distance education via the Internet, some students may choose to take one or more classes online and never meet their instructors in person. Online students are still assigned advisors just as campus-based students and are required to communicate with their advisors before registering for classes. Communication with the advisor can be accomplished in person, by telephone, or online. Contact information for faculty is available at the college’s website, www.gntc.edu, or a student may call GNTC at 706-295-6963 and ask to speak with or leave a message for a faculty member.

Responsibilities of Academic Advisor

Help students define and develop realistic education/career plans.

Assist students in planning a program consistent with their abilities and interests. 

Monitor progress toward educational/career goals.

Discuss and reinforce linkages and relationships between instructional program and occupational/career. 

Interpret and provide rationale for instructional policies, procedures, and requirements.

Approve such educational transactions as registration for courses, drop/add, withdrawal, change of status, course substitution, or graduation application.

Refer students when academic or personal problems require intervention by other professionals. 

Inform students of the nature of the advisor/advisee relationship.

Refer advisee to another advisor if necessary. 

Develop a mentoring relationship with advisees.

Inform advisees of special services available to them for remediation, academic assistance, financial assistance, and other support.

Responsibilities of the Student

Clarify personal values, abilities, interests, and goals.

Contact the advisor when required or when in need of assistance. 

Notify the advisor when unable to keep an appointment.

Become knowledgeable and adhere to institutional policies, procedures, and requirements.

Prepare for advising sessions and bring appropriate resources or materials.

Follow through on actions identified during each advising session.

Evaluate the advising system, when requested, in order to strengthen the advising process.

Request re-assignment to a different advisor if necessary.

Accept final responsibility for all academic decisions.