The School of Engineering Advising Hub is the primary source of academic advising for all Engineering students during their first year at Rensselaer. The Hub is staffed by experienced advisors who will offer academic support for all engineering majors. Hub advisors assist students to determine their unique academic path through Rensselaer while fulfilling all their degree requirements.
What kind of help can I find at the Hub?
The Hub is a resource for all advising purposes, including:
- The Hidden Curriculum: Your starter kit to being a Rensselaer student
- 4-Year Plan and semester course planning
- Annual, required Student Advisor Meeting (SAM)
- Major and minor declaration or changes
- Registrar protocol and form approvals
- The Arch and study abroad planning
- HASS and other course requirements
Important Links! Check out these important links to support your curriculum planning and academics.
Why do I have a Hub Advisor and a Faculty Advisor?
The Advising Hub will offer academic support to students through their first year. Our team helps support the transition into college learning, and understanding the responsibilities of joining Rensselaer as young, academic professionals.
At the start of their sophomore year, students will transition to a faculty advisor and connect to their major's department in the School of Engineering. The faculty advisor will then contribute to the student’s academic success by offering valuable perspective on internships, research, graduate school and job prospects, in addition to graduation requirements.
When can I connect with the Hub?
Office Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 4 p.m.
For the safety of both students and staff, all meetings are currently hosted through video chat using WebEx. Please use the button below to make an appointment with your major-specific SoE Hub advisor. When you book an appointment, you will receive meeting details, including how to connect to WebEe, in your confirmation email from OnceHub.
If you have questions about meeting with your advisor by video chat, please email them by using their contact information provided below.
Meet the Team
Marie Dieffenbach
Manager, Student Services
Advises Class of 2024: Aeronautical and Nuclear Engineering
Marie Dieffenbach has been advising undergraduate engineering students at RPI for the past 19 years. Originally from Staten Island NY, Marie came to the Capital District for college, met her husband on move-in day, and never looked back. She enjoys music, kayaking, and completely dominating her Tour de France Fantasy league. Marie and her husband Mark have a grown son who lives in Seattle, and they share their 1821 farmhouse in the Mohawk valley with their two cats, Bubs and Squeaks.
Contact
E-mail: dieffm@rpi.edu
Kristin Bergene
Senior Student Services Administrator
Advises Class of 2024: Undeclared Engineering
With a background in career counseling, Kristin brings the importance of professional development into her academic advising conversations. She earned an Master’s degree in London, where she lived and worked for nearly two years. After traveling to 13 countries, Kristin is now back in Central New York, close to family, and motivated by her advising career in higher education. At home with her two kittens, Axl and Gaia, Kristin relaxes with a pen in hand, writing and illustrating.
Contact
E-mail: bergek@rpi.edu
Karen Lewis
Senior Student Services Administrator
Advises Class of 2024: Civil, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering
Karen Lewis joined the SoE Hub in its inaugural year after advising the undergraduate students in the MANE department for three years. Previous to her ambitions in academia, she worked across the street at Samaritan Hospital as their pharmaceutical purchasing agent for over a decade. Originally from Long Island, Karen decided to switch things up by moving to rural Rensselaer county, where she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and skiing with her husband and young daughter.
Contact
E-mail: phelak@rpi.edu
Cara Leath
Senior Student Services Administrator
Advises Class of 2024: Electrical, Computer, and Systems, and Materials Engineering
Cara joined the Engineering Advising Hub after spending two years as a graduate student advising students in Clemson University's College of Business. During her time at Clemson, she completed her Master's degree in Student Affairs. After growing up in Westchester county, she is thrilled to be back in New York and living in downtown Troy with her husband. Cara loves to spend time with her husband, friends, and family by exploring new restaurants, playing board games and video games, and participating in trivia nights.
Contact
E-mail: natalc2@rpi.edu
Valerie Swenson
Senior Student Services Administrator
Advises Class of 2024: Biomedical, Chemical, and Industrial and Management Engineering
Valerie has been with Rensselaer since April 2016, and worked with the Core Engineering office before joining The Hub when it first opened in Fall 2017. A student herself, Valerie is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Policy and Leadership at SUNY Albany, where she also received her Master’s degree. Originally from the Syracuse, New York area, she moved to the Capital District after college and has been a proud resident of downtown Troy ever since. Her interests include traveling, riding her bike, and coffee.
Contact
E-mail: swensv@rpi.edu