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Student Services
Student Success The Division of Student Success exists to empower all students to thrive academically and vocationally. This area is comprised of the Academic Center, Career Center, and Online and Graduate Student Success. The team in Student Success is committed to inclusive practices that support all students in the achievement of their goals and an engaging, successful experience at Biola University. Academic Advising and the Advising Center Biola University believes that academic advising is a significant experience throughout the academic journey. While the student holds the ultimate responsibility in educational decision-making, advisors play an intentional role by guiding students in their academic progress, plans, and engagement. Advisors partner with students in the larger community of Biola to provide resources for student success and challenge students to take a Christ-centered approach in their academic endeavors (Ephesians 4:11-16). The following are anticipated learning outcomes for academic advising. Students, over the course of their college career, will have the opportunity to: • Develop a relationship with faculty member(s) outside of the classroom setting. • Independently navigate university policies and procedures regarding course selection, registration, academic standing, the progression of curriculum, and fulfillment of graduation requirements. • Learn how to identify program and curricular paths that are consistent with their abilities, career, interests, life goals, and sense of calling. • Learn how to utilize critical thinking and decision-making skills in managing and planning their lives. • Have tools to develop and implement a meaningful educational plan with awareness of high impact educational practices (ex: writing- intensive courses, research opportunities, capstone experiences, internships, and cross-cultural experiences). • Pursue and discover connections within the Core Curriculum (GE), Bible, and major coursework. • Reflect on the deeper work God may be doing in their hearts and minds through their academic learning, and identify how they might respond and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this work. Academic advising for undergraduate students is achieved through a faculty-based advising model. Students with a declared major are assigned a faculty or staff advisor in their discipline. It is required that students meet with their assigned advisor once per semester. The Advising Center has full-time advisors assigned to all undeclared students and those seeking additional help. Students should utilize the services of The Advising Center if they are: • Thinking of changing their major • Considering adding a second major or minor • Transfer students needing clarification regarding transfer credits • Students who have already met with their advisor in their discipline but have further questions Additionally, students who have been placed on first semester academic probation (see catalog section on Academic Probation) or were provisionally admitted to the University are required to meet with an advisor in The Advising Center.
the Global Student Leadership Team. Involvement in this opportunity includes: • Personal and small group mentoring by GSPD Director • Experiential learning experiences for building an intercultural community • Developing peer leadership skills • Self-awareness of intercultural identity development Finally, we desire for global students to be empowered to be global leaders in other areas of the University as well as in the world. Therefore, GSPD seeks to partner with many of the departments/divisions on campus, as well as churches, organizations, volunteers, and academic institutions outside the Biola campus in order to maximize cultural engagement, provide intercultural training, and promote learning and development. The Global Student Programs and Development office is located in Rose Hall, next to the Mosaic Cultural Center. See the Global Student Programs and Development (https://www.biola.edu/gspd/) website for additional information. Immigration Services Issues related to compliance with U.S. Immigration laws for F-1 International Students and his or her dependents are being undertaken by the Immigration Services of the Office of the Registrar. For Immigration Services assistance, please contact (562) 777-4007. Learning Center The Learning Center exists to provide students with assistance in achieving and maintaining an adequate level of academic proficiency in order to be successful within Biola University's competitive and rigorous intellectual environment. We aspire to cultivate and equip holistically minded learners with the life skills, academic tools and personal resources to be their best self. The Learning Center also provides programs that assist students in becoming effective and intentional learners. Programs offered include: • Disability Student Services: The Learning Center is committed to ensuring equal treatment, educational opportunity, accessibility, and human dignity for all students with learning, physical, and psychological disabilities. The Learning Center actuates this commitment by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities and medical conditions, assisting in advocacy, educating the Biola community, and by ensuring legal compliance with state and federal disability laws (the Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). • Strategies for Academic & Personal Success (GNST 001): Instruction in success strategies for navigating the rigors of college and life beyond. Particular attention is given to time management, personal self-awareness, strengths based living/learning, moderation, critical thinking, test-taking and holistic living. • Undergraduate Tutoring: The tutoring programs provide academic assistance for most Core Curriculum (GE) courses and select major emphasis courses. Tutoring is available in individual and small group formats (a minimal fee is required). Additional resources are available for students through the Learning Center (https://www.biola.edu/learning-center/) website. For more information, contact the Learning Center as (562) 906-4542.
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