Welcome to The SoE First-Year Advising Hub

 

The School of Engineering Advising Hub is the primary source of academic advising for first-year engineering students 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. 

 

Connect with us on Social Media!

 

 

Welcome Class of 2026! Click this button to get started with the School of Engineering!

 

Class of 2025, it's almost time to transition! Find your HC here!

 

Class of 2025, 2024, and 2023! Click here for support!

 

What kind of help can I find at the First-Year Advising 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, Major Templates and semester course planning
• Annual, required Student-Advisor Meeting (SAM)
• Major and minor declaration or changes
• HASS Requirements for Engineers
• Graduation requirements for Engineers
• Transferring College Credits (Summer classes and incoming students - AP, IB, etc.)
• Registrar protocol, College Catalog, and form approvals
• Important Dates and Deadlines
• The Arch and Study Abroad planning

 

We consider ourselves a one-stop shop! If you come to us for support, we will help you find the answers. Even if it is outside the above bullet points, or our expertise, we will help you to connect with the right office or person on campus. PS: check out the RPI Directory if you are looking for someone specific, or a particular office. You'll find everyone here: info.rpi.edu

 

Connect with the First-Year Advising Hub

Office Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 4 p.m.

Location, In-Person:   3306 Jonnson-Engineering Center (JEC), inside the Ansell Louge (look left when you walk into the lounge)

Location, Remote:   We use WebEx chat rooms, and video chat for remote communications (link shared when requested)

 

WebEx Chat Room!

• Includes the SoE Hub Advising Team, and other students from the Class of 2026
• Find updates and helpful information as you join our community
• Class of 2026, check your RPI email for an private invitation to join us

 

Schedule a meeting with an Engineering Advisor!

• Weekdays, during Hub office hours 
• One-on-one conversations (video chat or in-person)
• 20-minute conversations to dicuss curriculum 

 

WebEx Wednesdays!

• No appointment needed, during Wednesday office hours
• Ensures you have the chance to meet an advisor every week
• Best for quick questions, 5 to 10 minute conversations
• Reach out to your SoE Advisor for more information

 

 

School of Engineering Advising Resources

 

The Hidden Curriculum: Your Introduction to Rensselaer's School of Engineering!

4-Year Plan Major/Cohort-Specific Templates: find steps and an Excel sheet template

Major-Specific Advising Handbooks: department outlines and information

Industry Hour: Your connection to industry and alumni!

SoE Hub FAQ and Forms

Transferring Credits to Rensselaer

Quick Links: Registrar's office, Forms, Catalog, Academic Calendar, etc.

 

 

Meet the First-Year Advising Team!

Karen, Kristin, Valerie, and Boulos

 

Have you completed your first two semesters?
Scroll to the bottom of this page to find your advisor information. 

 

	Karen Lewis SoE Hub Manager, Academic Advisor Advisor for Aeronautical, Civil, and Environmental 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. phelak@rpi.edu
	Kristin Bergene Academic Advisor Advisor for Computer and Systems, Electrical, and 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 settled in Troy, NY in the winter of 2017 when she became a Career Counselor at RPI. In 2018, she joined the SoE Hub family as an Academic Advisor! At home with her three kittens (Axl, Gaia, and Leo) and husband, Kristin relaxes with a pen in hand, writing and illustrating. Life is grand!  bergek@rpi.edu
	Valerie Swenson Academic Advisor Advisor for Biomedical, Chemical, Industrial and Management, and Materials 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 ever since. Her interests include traveling, riding her bike, and coffee. swensv@rpi.edu
	Boulos Abdallah Academic Advisor Advisor for Mechanical, and Nuclear Engineering A Troy local, Boulos originally joined RPI as a Career Counselor at the Center for Career & Professional Development prior to joining the Engineering Hub in December 2021. He is currently earning a Master's Degree in Higher Education at SUNY Albany. If you can't find him on campus, Boulos is most likely lost somewhere in the woods where he was camping or hiking. Or you might find him sailing the Sea of Thieves or working on a never-ending project in Minecraft. abdalb@rpi.edu

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Congratulations on your Retirement, Marie!