Interview with Dario Rios

May 2021

Dario Rios- Six years at CPP/CBA as Academic Advisor. Over a decade in higher ed. Currently completing a masters in library & information science (MLIS). I was a first-generation, non-traditional and transfer student. I hold a BA in history. I am a proud Cal State alumni.

When do you recommend that students reach out to an advisor?

It is recommended that students see advisors at least once/term. The best time to see an advisor is before the registration period for the succeeding term starts. So, if registration for spring term is scheduled to start October 21st , meet with an advisor before the 21th. That allows for a more comprehensive review.

What are the most common questions students come to you for?

Help with selecting classes is the most common reason for visits to our office. Another common reason for visits is reviewing transfer credit. Next is removing holds.

What can students do on their own to ensure that they are on track?

Monitor their Degree Progress Report. It is important for students to become familiar with their degree progress report (DPR). The DPR states all required units of work. There, students can see what has been completed; what is in progress; what has been selected for next term; and what remains. Making sure students stay on task is a joint effort. When students are knowledgeable about their DPR, mistakes slipping by are greatly reduced.