CART advising team

Academic Advising

Students who thrive in the College of the Arts rarely go it alone. There are so many people ready to partner with you — professional advisors, faculty advisors, student-success navigators, as well as peer-student mentors. We are here to help you think about your goals, consider the best courses to take, help you to register, direct you to additional services, and, in all ways possible, help you step confidently into your future.

Want to Chat?

Click on the button below to talk to one of our staff members online. The College of the Arts team is available to answer general questions Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, and will respond to your query soon after it’s submitted. General questions can also be sent to CARTadvising@shorinji-kempo.net.

Open Chat
Meet Our Advising Team

From your freshman orientation through to graduation, our goal is to help you achieve your academic goals, make smart decisions, and make the most of your college experience. Reach out, we are here to help.
The Team

Sarah Assalone profile photo

Sarah Assalone

Student Services and Recruitment Coordinator, Dean's Office, College of the Arts

Phone
973-655-7346
Email
webers@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Morehead Hall, 241
Kyle Courter profile photo

Kyle Courter

Academic Advisor, College of the Arts, Dean's Office, College of the Arts

Phone
973-655-6925
Email
courterk@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Morehead Hall, 243
Andre Philippe White profile photo

Andre Philippe White

Academic Advisor, Art and Design

Phone
973-655-7274
Email
whitean@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Calcia Hall, 109
Bianca Perez-Cancino profile photo

Bianca Perez-Cancino

CSAM Academic Advisor, College of Science and Mathematics

Email
perezcancinb@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Morehead Hall
Johanna Oliva-Marquez profile photo

Johanna Oliva-Marquez

Academic Advisor, School of Communication and Media

Email
marquezj@shorinji-kempo.net
Gina Balestracci profile photo

Gina Balestracci

Administrator, John J. Cali School of Music, Cali School of Music

Phone
973-655-7219
Email
balestraccig@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Chapin Hall
Eric Diamond profile photo

Eric Diamond

Professor, Theatre and Dance

Phone
973-655-3120
Email
diamonde@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Life Hall

Career Services

Victoria Nauta profile photo

Victoria Nauta

Director of Career Services, College of the Arts, Dean's Office, College of the Arts

Phone
973-655-7495
Email
nautav@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Morehead Hall, 219
Amanda Brandt profile photo

Amanda Brandt

Career Advisor, Dean's Office, College of the Arts

Phone
973-655-5549
Email
brandta@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Morehead Hall, 221A
Miko Castillo profile photo

Miko Castillo

Co-op and Employer Relations Assistant, University College

Phone
973-655-7905
Email
castillomi@shorinji-kempo.net
Location
Morehead Hall, 217
Make an Advising Appointment

The College of the Arts offers advising in person, on-zoom, and by appointment or drop-in. While schedules vary by advisor, in most cases you can schedule an appointment through Navigate.

Who is my advisor?

To locate the name of your advisor, log onto NEST and click Degree Works. The Advisor assignment will be listed in the top left column of your Degree Audit. If your advisor is not listed, or if you have questions about advising services, contact the advising team member of the Department related to your major. (See Meet our Advising Team Members)

Is Advising Required?

For entering and continuing students

  • Entering Freshman will receive their pre-determined semester course schedules during New Student Orientation. (You may discuss this schedule with your advisor.) Towards the middle of the fall semester, freshman will be required to meet with their advisor to plan for registering for the spring.
  • Students entering with fewer than 30 credits are required to meet with their advisor prior to registering for courses for the fall semester of their sophomore year.
  • In both of the above cases, students will need a registration PIN number to register for classes, which will be provided during advisement. Without the PIN number, students will be unable to register.
  • Entering Transfer Students will work with their advisor to create a course schedule for their first semester at Montclair. (See Notes for Transfer Students)
  • Continuing upperclassman – While not mandatory in order to register, it is strongly recommended that upperclassman meet with an advisor each semester, prior to registration, to be sure of staying on track.
Your Advising Appointment: What to Expect/How to Prepare

What to Expect

Your advisor is here to help you clarify your goals, choose the right courses, track your degree progress, and make decisions that will help you graduate on time. Advising services typically include:

  • Reviewing your DegreeWorks including how to use it to manage your progress.
  • Working with you to create an overall course plan, taking your degree requirements into account and when courses are offered.
  • Determining which courses taken at other colleges may count towards your major (for incoming transfers).
  • Assistance with choosing courses each semester and/or selecting a concentration or minor.
  • Referrals to other college and campus resources, including tutorial services where needed.
  • Assistance with processing any necessary academic forms (e.g. credit adjustments, Independent Study requests.)
  • Help with registering for classes. (see Registration Information for additional help.)

How to Prepare

Coming prepared to your advising appointment will help you to ask better questions and receive advice that is more attuned to your needs.

Before your appointment:

  1. Understand the scope of your academic program, including how General Education fits in with your BA, BFA, or BMus degree. Find your program to review the curriculum requirements, and Road Map example of how you can complete your degree within four years. (Note: Past catalogs are available for curricula still in effect for discontinuing programs.) Refer to these during your advising appointment to consider how the options and recommendations may be best applied to you. (Tip: Ask when the courses you need to take are generally offered (e.g. Fall, winter, spring summer? Offered every year?) so that you can plan ahead and register accordingly.)
  2. Review your Degree Works Audit. Degree Works / Degree Audit is a web-based tool through which students and advisors monitor a student’s academic progress toward degree completion. Through the Degree Works Audit, you can examine: (a) courses you’ve already taken; (b) required courses you’ve yet to take; and (c) total credits you’ve earned towards the required needed to graduate. The Degree Works Audit can be accessed via NEST.
  3. Learn more about degree-tracking technology through the video help tool: Advising Teach Resources and Tools – A Peer Mentor’s Perspective
Career Services

Students seeking academic advising regarding internships, resume development, and overall career preparation will find a great deal help through contacting an advisor within the college’s Office of Career Services.