Whether you’re coming to the University of Saint Francis out of high school, transferring from another college, or returning to the classroom after a few years away, the First Year Advising team is ready to help you navigate your USF experience.

Getting Started

First things first.

Getting scheduled for your first semester of classes is exciting. Once you’ve confirmed your enrollment by making your deposit, your First Year Advisor will communicate via email to arrange an advising and course registration session, according to your declared major. In your advising/registration session, you can expect to meet your advisors, some future classmates, to register for your first semester of courses and to have your questions answered. New student registration for the Fall term will begin in April and in late November for the Spring semester. Continue to use My Cougar Connection (MCC), our student portal, will connect you to the forms, resources and services you need, including Cougar Checkpoint, a checklist for required items and tasks.

About First Year Advising

First Year Advising is part of the overall First-Year Experience. Designed to help you transition to academic, social, cultural and spiritual life at USF, the FYE also includes Orientation, Welcome Weekend and a First-Year Seminar called Engage.

How We Help Our Newest Cougars

Acclimation to Our Community

A big part of the First Year Advising program is introducing you to our Franciscan values and connecting you with people, resources and opportunities across campus.

Degree & Career Planning 

Your first-year advisor gets to know your academic, professional and personal goals so they can help you develop a solid plan.

Financial Planning & Resources

Intentional academic advising also ensures you’re on track financially. Completing your degree within your desired timeline keeps your education affordable as possible.

Academic Support & Engagement

Your first-year advisor’s role is more than scheduling your first semester of courses at USF. Our team will help you develop a support network and find the resources you need to succeed.

What’s next? In the spring semester, you’ll be assigned a faculty advisor from within your area of study who will help you stay on track and mentor you throughout the rest of your time at USF. You’ll always have academic and career support services available to you as well.

How to Find & Contact Your Advisor

You’ll be assigned an advisor based on your major, program or area of study. Use the chart here to help you locate your personal guide to all-things-USF.

Area of Study/Division	Included Degree programs	Your Advisor
Academic Exploration	Undecided Majors	Melissa Layton [email protected]
Allied Healthcare	Health & Exercise Science Nutrition	Heather Essex [email protected]
Allied Healthcare	Social Work	Avi Goltz [email protected]
Associate Allied Healthcare Programs	Advance Medical Imaging Diagnostic Medical Sonography Nursing (ASN, LPN>ASN) Radiological Technology Surgical Technology	Advised by Faculty in the Program
Psychological & Social Sciences	Communication – Film Communication – Public Relations Criminal Justice & Criminology Psychology	Morgan Felkner [email protected]
Business	Accounting Business Administration Financial Services Marketing Sports Management	Heather Essex [email protected]
Computer Art & Technology	Animation Information Technology Game & Application Development	Morgan Felkner [email protected]
Creative Arts	Dance Digital Media Graphic Design Music Technology Pre-Art Therapy Studio Art Visual Art Education	Morgan Felkner [email protected]
Education	Educational Studies Elementary Education (K-6) Special Education	Morgan Felkner [email protected]
Exploratory Healthcare Programs		Melissa Layton [email protected]
Humanities	English Interdisciplinary Studies Ministry Theology	Melissa Layton [email protected]
Nursing	Bachelor of Science (BSN)	Avi Goltz [email protected]
Pre-Professional Programs	Pre-Chiropractic Medicine Pre-Dentistry Pre-Medicine: Biology Pre-Medicine: Chemistry Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physician Assistant Pre-Veterinary Medicine	Avi Goltz [email protected]
Sciences	Biology Chemistry Clinical Laboratory Science Environmental Health & Safety Environmental Science	Avi Goltz [email protected]

Meet Our Staff

Our first-year advising team is excited to help you prepare for your USF journey.

Heather Essex

Born and raised in Ft. Wayne, I graduated from Northrop High School. I graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington with a B.A. from the Individualized Major Program and a M.A. in African American African Diaspora Studies. I am currently pursuing a M.S. from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling at USF. I look forward to mentoring and advocating for our First-Year students as they transition into the University of Saint Francis.

Avi Goltz

I’m a Fort Wayne native who never knew what they wanted to do. In high school the answer was always ‘I don’t know’ and when I went to college I ended up with a General Studies Degree. It wasn’t until I came to USF that I started to find my path. I achieved two Master’s degrees (M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling and School Counseling) with a break in-between to work with the Red Cross AND all the while being a Graduate assistant at USF! That long journey helped me find what I was looking for – a way to help others navigate and be successful on their own journeys, just as so many people had helped me on mine. I am glad to be back at USF to do just that as a First Year Advisor.

Melissa Layton

While I have been a part of the USF community for over 15 years, always working with students, I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with new students in the Humanities and Academic Exploration or ‘not yet decided’ students. I will also continue to work with those students working for admission in to a Healthcare program. I have been working with college students almost every year since I graduated college myself. This is in part because I think college experience is a thrilling and transformational one for students. I want to help students in their transition to USF and to help them understand and make the most of their own experience.

Morgan Felkner

My name is Morgan Felkner. I am a Fort Wayne native, raised in the 08’. I am an alumna of North Side High School, studied Music and Leadership at Purdue Fort Wayne, graduated with my Master’s in Leadership from USF in 2020, and am currently on track to earning my second master’s degree and License in Mental Health Counseling. I take a transformational approach to advising and am deeply committed to student success with a focus on Christ-integration and spiritual development. I look forward to serving my community by advising, educating, and leading students in their journey toward authenticity.

General Advising Contact Information

If you have general questions about advising, here’s how to get in touch with us:

Phone: 260-399-8065
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location: Pope John Paul II 210 & 211