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!

 

 

Class of 2025, it's now time to meet with your major-specific Faculty Advisor! Check your email from 8/23!

Class of 2025, 2024, and 2023! Click here for your academic advising 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

 

Registration Support for the Class of 2026

 

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 Remote Chat Room: "Engineers, Class of 2026 | Academic Advising Support"

• Exclusive to RPI students!
• 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 (or email your soehub@rpi.edu to be added)

 

Schedule a meeting with your first-year Academic Advisor!

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

 

Remote Drop-In Hours on WebEx Wednesdays!

• No appointment needed during Wednesday office hours
• Ensures you have the chance to meet an academic advisor every week
• Best for quick questions, 5 to 10 minute conversations
• Reach out to your SoE Advisor for more information
• Mechanical Engineers! Check your email from Boulos for specific times/days

 

 

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, Boulos, and Kelley

 

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 Computer and Systems, 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 Electrical, Materials, 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
	Boulos Abdallah Academic Advisor Advisor for Mechanical 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
	Kelley Stuetz Academic Advisor Advisor for Biomedical, Chemical, and Industrial and Management Engineering Kelley Stuetz joins the SoE Hub with experience in student-athlete and honors student academic advisement, sports information and new student orientation programming. Kelley earned her Bachelor's Degree from East Stroudsburg University while competing on the women’s track and field, specializing in the high jump and hurdles. A Philadelphia area native, she then earned her Master’s Degree in Communication and Media with a certification in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs from West Chester University. When you don’t see Kelley in the office, she is most likely visiting family out of town, cheering on local college sports teams, running on the Rail Trail or checking books off her To Be Read list! stuetk@rpi.edu
	Kim Loring  Academic Advisor Advisor for Aeronautical, and Nuclear Engineering Kim Loring joins the SoE Hub with over six years of higher education advising and student services experience. During this time, she has advised and mentored active-duty service members, veterans, and non-traditional students. Kim earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from SUNY Stony Brook University and her Master of Science in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide. While in her undergraduate studies, Kim obtained her Private Pilot’s License, which olidified her passion for the aviation/aerospace industry. In Kim’s free time, she enjoys finding adventures for family to partake in.   lorink@rpi.edu

We wish Valerie Swenson good luck with her move to SUNY Polytechnic Institute's Albany Campus as their new Director of Student Services! Val's last day in the SoE Hub was Friday, August 26th.