Navigating MIT
Take a stroll along the Infinite Corridor these days and you’ll encounter a striking new space, in a prominent location on the first floor of Building 11. With bright blue seating modules, orange accents, and an eye-catching design, it looks like a futuristic space station, sleek and ultramodern—but also welcoming and fun.
This is the new home of the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC). And while the design might be surprising, the creation of the center is no surprise at all. It’s simply another example of MIT’s ongoing innovation in improving student advising.
The MIT experience looks different for everyone, and the UAC was launched in 2023 with that in mind, offering individualized support to help undergraduates reach their full potential. The new hub brings together the people and programs dedicated to helping them navigate MIT, offering guidance that’s both personalized and proactive, with an emphasis on identifying students who might need help and reaching out to them sooner rather than later.
The 5,000-square-foot space, designed by Boston’s Merge Architects, reflects the needs of our students, who offered input on lighting (natural), seating (comfortable), and multifunctional areas that can be used for everything from private conversations to large-scale gatherings.
I don’t have to tell all of you that there’s more to thriving at MIT than being incredibly smart. UAC advisors help students set goals, manage their time, and build relationships with faculty. And they help students navigate what’s often called the “hidden curriculum”—the unspoken norms and values of university life. Once they’ve chosen their majors, students are assigned a faculty advisor, but that doesn’t mean their UAC advisors step aside—these relationships continue for all four years, providing
a sense of continuity and care.
Already, the new hub is in constant use for consultations, study sessions, and impromptu visits to grab a snack and catch up with friends. And it’s much more than a physical upgrade—it’s a symbol of our commitment to continually strengthening advising resources for all students, from orientation to the moment they finally turn their Brass Rats.