Your Advisor

Macaulay Advisors are your first and best resource. We provide academic advising, from first-year orientation, to choosing your major, to preparing for graduation. We are also happy to answer questions large and small, and point you towards additional help as needed. Our goal is not only to help you succeed in meeting basic requirements, but to help you thrive and prepare for your next steps.

Fall 2024 update: Ben Ross will be transferring to another campus effective September 16, 2024. While a new QC Macaulay Advisor is hired, Ms. Essie Smolar will see Macaulay students on a part-time, interim basis. More information to be announced.

WHO IS MY ADVISOR?

Class of 2028

 Enrolled in Fall 2024 HNRS 101 on Thursdays, 5-5:50pm: Navdip Hans

Enrolled in Fall 2024 HNRS 101 on Fridays, 11:15am-12:05pm: Ben Ross/Essie Smolar (interim)

Class of 2027

 Last names A-H: Ben Ross/Essie Smolar (interim)

Last names K-Z: Navdip Hans

All other class years

 Students who saw Dr. Weinstein in academic year 2022-2023: Ben Ross/Essie Smolar (interim)

Students who saw Ms. Tanzman in academic year 2022-2023: Navdip Hans

Advising Appointments

All advising appointments will be made using QC Navigate.

Make an advising appointment with Navdip Hans
Join Navdip Hans on Zoom
Walk-ins: Mon 10-11am (remote), Thu 10-11am and 2-3pm, Fri 10-11am (remote)

Make an advising appointment with Ben Ross
Join Ben Ross on Zoom
Walk-ins: Tue 2-3pm, Wed 3:30-4:30pm, Thu 2-3pm (remote), Fri 10-11am (remote)

Advisor Bios

Navdip Hans

Senior Academic Advisor
navdip.hans@qc.cuny.edu

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Navdip Hans is a proud first-generation New Yorker, born and raised in Queens, NY. He earned is B.A. in Economics at Queens College, followed by an M.A. in Political Science from the CUNY Graduate Center. Prior to joining Macaulay Honors College, Navdip worked at Harlem Children’s Zone Inc. as a college advisor, advocating for students and helping them navigate the college system. This experience provided him with a solid foundation to further assist students at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College and LaGuardia Community College. Additionally, he served at SUNY Farmingdale State College as an academic advisor. Navdip is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience while leveraging his relationships to ensure his students are on the path to achieving their goals and finding their success. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading a lot of science fiction, and playing niche real-time strategy games. 

Esther Smolar

Interim Academic Advisor
esther.smolar@qc.cuny.edu

 

Advising Expectations

What exactly do advisors do? What can you expect from an advising appointment? What do you need to do to prepare for an appointment?

Advising appointments may cover:

  • Academic planning for your next semester schedule
  • Long-term academic planning for your college career
  • Exploring post-graduation options such as graduate school, professional school, or employment
  • Academic support and success strategies for your classes
  • Exploring opportunities for study abroad, internships, or research, including applying for funding
  • Thoughtful referrals to other resources at Macaulay or Queens College as needed

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Familiarize yourself with scheduling and planning tools such as CUNYfirst Student Center, Schedule Builder, and DegreeWorks, and be prepared to access them during your advising appointment. Bring a printout, send your advisor an email attachment, or display it on your device. This will make your appointment more efficient and leave time to discuss what’s most important to you.

The following are ideal responsibilities for both the advisor and advisee (adapted from the Hunter College Advising Syllabus).

ADVISEE
RESPONSIBILITIES

ADVISOR
RESPONSIBILITIES
INITIATE a purposeful relationship with your advisor and make appointments when necessary or when in need of assistance.

BE INVOLVED in the advising process by being prepared to discuss your goals and educational plans during meetings: bring necessary materials.

REVIEW resources such as DegreeWorks, Degree Program Maps and the Queens College Catalog each term and track your progress toward completing your graduation requirements.

TAKE PRIMARY AND INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY for your educational plans and achievements. Understand and accept that you are ultimately responsible for your education and your own decisions.

BE OPEN AND WILLING to consider recommendations from peer advisors, primary professional advisors, faculty advisors, and other mentors.

ACTIVELY ENGAGE and progress to commit to and pursue an academic plan directed toward the completion of a degree from Hunter. Follow through on action plans developed in advising sessions.

KEEP CURRENT on your academic progress in individual classes; knowing test and assignment dates and implement effective study strategies.

SCHEDULE AND ATTEND appointments with your advisor each term; cancel appointments ahead of time if you cannot make them.

 BE ACCESSIBLE for meeting with advisees- either via appointment or walk-in hours, including in-person, and virtual advising.

DEVELOP purposeful relationship with advisees and inform advisees of the nature of the advising relationship.

CREATE an environment where mutual respect and trust allows students to define and develop realistic goals.

ASSIST students in gaining decision making skills and in assuming responsibility for their educational plans and achievements.

ASSIST students in understanding the purpose and goals of a Liberal Arts education and its effect on their lives and personal goals.

UNDERSTAND and effectively communicate the curriculum, including Pathways requirements, Degree requirements, Honors requirements, and college policies and procedures.

ENCOURAGE AND GUIDE students in identifying and pursuing resources to support academic success and holistic development as a student.

ASSIST students in gaining decision-making, problem-solving, and self-assessment and evaluation skills.

MAINTAIN privacy following Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.