Academic Life
Each of the programs, services, and resources Westmont offers contributes toward educating you as a whole person:
- Your intellectual development will take place not only in the classroom, but also through residence hall programs, chapel/convocation, and more;
- Your spiritual growth will be fostered not only in chapel, but by your professors and student life staff both in and outside of class, by the natural beauty of God’s creation evident as you walk through campus, and more;
- Your skills as a member of a community will become sharpened not only through your experience as a resident in the halls, but by special programs integrated with your coursework, extracurricular leadership and service opportunities, and more. It is our goal and purpose that your total experience at Westmont will challenge and support you in the process of becoming all God has called you to be.
Academic Support
Westmont is committed to providing opportunities for strong intellectual growth. This growth includes more than mastering course content alone. The college also challenges you to improve your ability to think clearly and to state ideas accurately and effectively. Professors will encourage you to express personal values openly and to challenge and evaluate competing ideas with fairness and insight.
Academic Advising
Westmont faculty are eager to provide quality, helpful academic advising. But you must take the initiative to develop a relationship with your faculty advisor, making appointments in advance of registration to get to know them and to discuss your future. Your faculty will know the details of your academic program and general education requirements. Much of this information can also be found in the college catalog, and brochures detailing all academic policies and procedures that can be found in the registrar’s office in Kerrwood Hall.
Answers to frequently asked questions are also found on our web site. If you want to switch your academic advisor, you must fill out a form from the registrar’s office. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the director of academic advising and disability services, Michelle Hardley at (805) 565-6159 or mhardley@westmont.edu.
Academic Skills
The Successful Scholars Seminar (APP 000), especially for students new to Westmont, is a six-week, non-credit course that provides an extended orientation to academic aspects of college life. If you have any questions, contact first-year programs at (805) 565-6159. If you would like to participate in the course you may add it to your course schedule through the registrars office.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental instruction is tailored to individual courses. It usually takes the form of exam review sessions, homework labs, or small group tutorials led by students who have done well in that class.
These programs meet the needs of most of our students most of the time. However, you may have problems in a particular class or feel you are not progressing in the way you would like. Don’t hesitate to contact the director of academic advising and disability services if you need additional help, at (805) 565-6159.