Office of Student Affairs

Academic Advising is dedicated to empowering undergraduate students as they aspire to be thoughtful risk-takers, critical thinkers, and practicing artists. To that end, Academic Advisors provide guidance on degree requirements, promote self-agency, and assist students as they navigate the college terrain in ways that fulfill their educational aspirations and artistic potential.

SAIC has an active campus fueled by our student groups, organizations, and leadership opportunities. With scores of student groups and organizations and a full schedule of events, SAIC’s Campus Life office offers countless ways to get involved in the SAIC community. From school-wide events such as the Halloween Ball to film screenings, and from weekly Latin dancing and yoga classes to philosophy discussions and art critiques, you can indulge in almost any interest.

All Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) services and resources are available to you in-person and virtually. CAPX career advisors are available to meet with you by phone, Google meet, or Zoom. Join Handshake to set up an appointment with a career advisor, register for events, access virtual resources, develop your profile, network with peers, and apply for student on-campus employment, internships, and jobs. 

The mission of Counseling Services at SAIC is to assist students in meeting their emotional, psychological, and mental health needs and to contribute to a campus environment that facilitates the healthy growth and development of students.

The mission of the Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) is to support a universally accessible educational community that fosters full participation and contribution of every member. The DLRC carries out its mission by delivering innovative and high-quality services to SAIC students with disabilities and by facilitating and advocating for reasonable accommodations so that students have equal access to all programs, activities, and services of the institution. 

The mission of Health Services is to provide quality healthcare to SAIC students and to encourage students to focus on their physical and emotional well-being. Health Services is staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners and registered nurses who offer basic medical care for minor injuries and illnesses. The staff also focus on health promotion and education and provide referrals to appropriate off-campus health care providers.

International Student Affairs provides guidance and advising on F-1/J-1 visa related regulations and provides resources in the form of workshops, presentations, one-on-one advising, and social events to help international students achieve their academic and personal goals. Our goal is to support and advocate for international students to help create a globally diverse campus community.

SAIC's Korean Student Advisor and Chinese Student Liaison assist students in adjusting to campus and the US culture by building a supportive community, identifying personal and emotional concerns of students, and providing appropriate resources and referrals. They collaborate closely with academics and student services departments to provide support and assistance to students. 

Living with other artists and designers, exchanging ideas, supporting one another, and growing together—no other experience compares. Whether you live on campus in the heart of Chicago's Loop or share housing off-campus in one of the city's neighborhoods, you'll feel the energy that a creative community generates.

The Student Success department’s mission is to foster a community of support and inclusion for students to succeed in their educational endeavors, and to help make art and design education equitable and accessible to vulnerable populations. We facilitate this mission through efforts such as the First-Generation Fellows Program, Chicago Fellows Program, and retention and six-year completion monitoring and support.

SAIC is committed to fostering a community of artists and scholars built upon respect for others and personal well-being. Staff members in the Office of Student Affairs are available to assist students with a wide-range of issues and concerns that might arise during their time at SAIC. These issues include mental and physical health challenges, conflicts with others, and community standards.

Study Abroad specializes in providing students with opportunities to participate in short-term and semester-long education abroad programs. We work closely with faculty members to offer an exciting array of faculty-led study trips during the winter and summer interims and to advise students who apply for semester-long study abroad. We look forward to being a part of your journey.

The Student Support Team is a multi-disciplinary group including representatives from Academic Advising, Residence Life, the Wellness Center, International Student Affairs, and Korean and Chinese Student Advising. Led by the Director of Student Support, these individuals meet weekly to consult, provide guidance, and offer support for students who are struggling with health or personal concerns. The purpose of the Student Support Team is to facilitate the best support possible for students in order to promote their academic, personal, and artistic well-being.

Staff in SAIC's Office of Student Affairs are available to assist students with a wide range of issues and concerns that might arise during their time at SAIC. These issues include mental and physical health challenges, conflicts with others, and community standards.

It is important that students have the support they need when they need it. SAIC is committed to ensuring staff are always available for student emergencies, including overnight, on the weekend, and when classes aren’t in session.