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Kristen Brustad, Chair WMB 6.102, 306 Inner Campus Drive F9400, Austin, TX 78712 • 512-471-3881

Graduate Student Advising

Graduate Coordinator

David Justh
West Mall Building 6.122A
471-3217

The graduate coordinator handles all administrative matters related to the graduate programs and assists students with a variety of issues, including admission, registration, funding, and student employment. The graduate coordinator advises students and faculty on policies and procedures related to the graduate program and serves as a liaison to the Office of Graduate Studies, the Graduate and International Admissions Center, and other academic departments. In general, the graduate coordinator’s office will be the first stop for graduate students with questions or concerns.

Graduate Adviser: Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

Dr. Jo Ann Hackett
West Mall Building 5.136

Graduate Adviser: Middle Eastern Studies

Dr. Faegheh Shirazi
West Mall Building 6.128

The graduate adviser offers students information on fulfilling degree requirements, making adequate progress towards the degree, and preparing for the thesis/report, among other academic issues. The graduate adviser is the final departmental approver of petitions, exceptions, leave authorizations, and other special requests, so discussing any problems or issues that arise with the adviser is critical for achieving quick and painless resolution. The graduate adviser is also the final departmental approver of programs of work and graduation applications. Thus, semesterly advising sessions are key to avoiding last-minute crises.

Faculty Mentors

Graduate students in MELC are assigned a faculty mentor at the beginning of their first semester in the program. The mentor provides guidance on academic matters such as course selection and thesis/report topic development. Mentor assignments may change as the student’s interests evolve.

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