FAQs

Academic Navigators reach out to students based on a few different reasons, including faculty referrals, account holds, and other indicators that something might not be going well. Academic Navigators offer students support in accessing resources and finding opportunities.

Not at all! Academic Navigators are support staff who are there because every Husker deserves to learn in an environment where each person feels accepted, seen, and valued. Academic Navigators strive to help students realize their strengths and put them into action.

Academic Navigators work alongside other support staff but don't advise students on class schedules or the intricacies of degree requirements. While some colleges require students to meet with an academic advisor, meeting with an Academic Navigator is always voluntary.

Texting either Cornelius or an Academic Navigator is a great option for seeking support. Oftentimes, Cornelius will reach out to all students, while Academic Navigators typically have a specific reason for contacting a student. Not all messages to Cornelius get routed to a staff member, while there's always a real person behind Academic Navigator texts. The goal of both is to find you answers and get you connected to support if needed.

Academic Navigators help faculty improve student engagement and success by providing personalized outreach to students who may be struggling academically or becoming disengaged. Rather than relying solely on email or Canvas announcements, Navigators communicate through personalized SMS text messages, which often receive quicker responses from students. By serving as an additional point of contact, Academic Navigators help students feel recognized, connected, and supported before small challenges become larger barriers to success. This partnership allows faculty to identify concerns early while ensuring that students receive timely encouragement and guidance. 

Faculty should request Academic Navigator outreach as soon as they notice early signs that a student may need additional support. Common indicators include missed assignments, declining grades, poor attendance, lack of participation, missed exams, or a sudden change in engagement. Early intervention is one of the most effective ways to improve student outcomes. Academic Navigators use personalized text messaging and one-on-one conversations to connect with students, identify barriers, and encourage them to take advantage of campus resources before problems become more difficult to overcome.

Academic Navigators are especially helpful when students are experiencing academic, personal, or engagement-related challenges that may affect their success. Outreach is appropriate for students with declining grades, repeated absences, limited participation, difficulty adjusting to college, uncertainty about campus resources, or other barriers to academic progress. Because Navigators are not responsible for grading, students often feel comfortable discussing concerns openly. Navigators work with students to identify challenges, connect them with appropriate campus resources, and develop strategies that help them remain engaged and on track toward their academic goals.

Academic Navigator outreach improves student engagement and student success by providing personalized, proactive support to students who may otherwise go unnoticed. Through timely text messages and one-on-one conversations, Academic Navigators help students feel seen, supported, and connected to the university community. 

This personalized outreach creates a stronger sense of belonging and mattering—two factors closely linked to student persistence and academic success. By identifying challenges early and connecting students with the right campus resources, Academic Navigators help remove barriers before they become reasons for students to disengage or leave the university. 

Academic Navigators provide individualized follow-up and student support that complements the work of faculty. While instructors focus on teaching and academic mentoring, Navigators have the time to meet one-on-one with students, uncover the root causes of academic or personal challenges, and develop a plan for moving forward. 

Because they work across departments and campus services, Academic Navigators help students navigate the university, connect with appropriate resources, and coordinate support that can be difficult for students to find on their own. This coordinated approach removes obstacles, increases student engagement, and helps students stay on track toward academic success. 

The most effective Academic Navigator partnerships begin with timely referrals and clear communication. Faculty and staff can refer individual students or submit multiple students through the bulk referral form. Include the concern you have observed, the message you would like reinforced, or the action you hope the student will take. 

Academic Navigators then provide personalized outreach, follow up with students, and connect them with appropriate campus resources. Referring students early—before challenges become crises—gives Navigators the greatest opportunity to increase student engagement, improve responsiveness, and support positive academic outcomes.

Please direct all financial questions to Husker Hub.

Sometimes a hold prevents students from registering for classes. These are the most common holds and how to resolve them: 

• Financial: Contact Husker Hub
• Transcript (high school or previous college): UNL requires final official transcripts directly from the institutions. Transcripts uploaded by students are considered unofficial. Academic Navigators can help with this process. 
• Registration: Students can learn how to resolve these holds by calling (402) 472-2021

UNL offers several resources to support students academically. Here are a few: 

• Teaching and Learning Center (College of Business) 
• Study Stop (CAST) 
• Math Resource Center 
• Physics Resource Center 
• Chemistry Resource Center 
• Writing Center 
• Center for Communication Excellence 
• Language Lab 

Please contact and register with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).

Direct all tech questions to HuskerTech.

Students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress to be eligible for financial aid. For students who do not meet it, Academic Navigators can help them submit an appeal.

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)

Please consult with an advisor. This website can be used as a general guide: Course Transfer Equivalency

Ask an Academic Navigator!