Nicole Stein

Lead Professional Academic Advisor

Nicole Stein

she / her / hers

Contact

707-664-4083
steinn@sonoma.edu
Book an appointment

Supports

General-population undergraduate students declared in the following majors:

• Music (BA)
• Music (BM)
• Dance (BA)
• Theatre Arts (BA)
• Art Studio (BA)
• Art Studio (BFA)
• Cinematic Arts & Technology (BA)
• Communication Studies (BA)

Education

B.S.W. in Social Work | Azusa Pacific University

M.S.W. in Social Work | University of Southern California

Personal Advising Philosophy

My personal advising philosophy is a student-centered approach that combines principles of both appreciative and developmental advising. As an advisor, I want students to always feel they can come to me with questions, concerns, or things they want to explore. I believe academic advising is about helping students discover the educational path that is best for them, and that happens through open communication and collaboration between advisor and student. I believe in the self-determination of students, and I strive to help students make the best informed-decisions for themselves. When working with students, my approach is to always clearly explain options, provide appropriate resources, and work together to develop step-by-step plans and solutions.

My academic advising is not one-size fits all, and that is because all students are unique. Students need different levels of support, come from different backgrounds, are working toward different goals, or have different external factors impacting their educational journey. So my advice will be tailored to the experiences and needs of each student. Ultimately, I want to make sure the decisions and plans being made are what is best for that individual student.

I also believe it is important to utilize a holistic approach when advising students. While my primary role is to assist with classes and academics, I recognize that students' experiences outside of the classroom can have a large impact on their time in college. I think it is important to be mindful of and discuss any concerns students may have beyond academics, such as basic needs, finances, and wellbeing. I believe that part of being an effective academic advisor is helping students connect to appropriate resources for support. No matter what students encounter, I want them to know I am available to help them navigate through college and continue toward their educational goals.