Academic Advising
Academic advising at McPherson College is an intentional relationship between advisor and student as they plan and reach the student’s educational, career, and personal goals. Incoming freshmen are assigned a freshman advisor. Near the end of their first semester, freshmen are assigned a faculty advisor from an area of academic interest. This advisor will help the student plan a program of study consistent with the student’s interests and abilities and oversee the student’s progress toward completing the plan of study. The faculty advisor also engages students in exploring their long-range occupational and professional goals and directs the student to resources that will help them confirm and achieve these goals.
Disability Services
Students with temporary or permanent disabilities are welcome at McPherson College under the regular admissions requirements. It is the college’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities and to afford them an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of college courses, programs, services, and activities. These students are urged to inform the college of their disability and special needs prior to their arrival to allow the college ample time to determine necessary resources and accommodations. Persons needing assistance may notify the Admissions Office or the Director of the Royer Center for Academic Development located on the main floor of Miller Library.
Counseling and Health Care Services
Campus community members have exceptional access to health care services. Partners in Family Care maintains a walk-in clinic located at 1800 Gordon Street across from Metzler Hall. Office visits are free for students and employees, with only lab or technical services being charged to insurance.
Client-Centered Counseling also maintains an office and regular hours in the Partners in Family Care facility. Up to 10 counseling sessions per school year are offered to students at no charge. To schedule an appointment, call 620-241-2300.
Career Services
The college recognizes that general life skills such as communication, computation, logical thinking, positive interpersonal relationships, and decision making constitute the major portion of the skills people need to succeed in their careers and in life in general. In collaboration with college faculty and staff, the Career Services Office offers special programs, seminars, and courses that assist students in refining life objectives, career goals, and internships and in making sound educational choices for achieving those goals and objectives. Seminars, workshops, and individual meetings are also offered to help students with preparing their résumés and developing the skills needed to secure employment. For additional information, visit the Career Services Office in Miller Library or consult the Career Services Office web page.
Tutoring and Academic Services
Students who need a tutor can download McPherson College’s tutoring app, Penji. Free tutoring services, both individual and group, are offered free of charge. For additional assistance, students may visit with the Academic Development staff, who are housed in the Royer Center, located in the Miller Library. Through individualized study, small group instruction, supplemental instruction, and tutoring, students are offered personalized attention while working to improve reading, writing, math, or study skills. The Writing Center is also available to students free of charge. Writing Center employees assist students with academic projects.
Miller Library
Miller Library serves as McPherson College’s academic hub. The library’s extensive collection of print and digital resources are aligned with the curriculum and can be searched using the Online Catalog. Miller Library also houses an automotive restoration collection featuring many rare items pertaining to the history of the automobile, as well as special collections documenting the history of the Church of the Brethren and McPherson College. Librarians offer formal research instruction, as well as point-of-use assistance for students conducting research. Miller Library’s extensive hours, along with computer workstations, study tables, carrels, lounge areas, and group rooms provide an environment conducive to group and private study. For more information, consult the Miller Library web page.
Housing & Residence Life
The Housing and Residence Life team at McPherson College is responsible for the daily operation of each hall and to ensure the students within campus housing are happy, healthy, and safe. Each hall has student staff known as Lead Resident Assistants, Resident Assistants (FAs), and Assistant Resident Assistants. The RA is a resource and program person who works with the residents on a daily basis. RAs are intended to build community in their halls. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs, also known as Student Life, consists of several areas with a common purpose to help you thrive during your time on campus, including housing and residence life, student organizations and clubs, career and experiential learning, adventure programs, spiritual life, diversity and inclusion programming, Title IX, student conduct, dining services, campus store, and others. We provide leadership and student employment opportunities. Student Affairs offices are located in the Miller Library. Please contact [email protected] with questions.
Dining Services
Fresh Ideas is the McPherson College dining service provider. They provide students with 10, 14, and unlimited meal plans. Students have different meal plans depending on their status as a student and the location in which they live. Our corporate dietitians are always available to provide guidance for students and families. In some cases, special food is kept on site for students with dietary restrictions. Students may contact Trevor Schwendiman, Director of Dining Services at [email protected] for more information and to work out the details of their dining plan.