The Brown|RISD Dual Degree (BRDD) program administrators advise the academic progress of all students throughout their course of study. BRDD Peer Advisors directly support students through their first and second year, and remain available as peer mentors throughout students’ time in the program.

Students in their first year are assigned a faculty advisor from RISD’s Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) Program and an exploratory advisor at Brown, whose work is supported by a Meiklejohn Peer Advisor.

As they declare a RISD major and start its curriculum in their second year, students are assigned a major advisor in that area - most often the Department Head. In their third year, students declare a Brown concentration and are assigned a concentration advisor in that area. In their fifth year, BRDD students choose advisors from Brown and/or RISD to support the development of their Capstone Presentation.

Because completion of the Dual Degree involves fulfilling the degree requirements for both Brown and RISD in an accelerated fashion, it is essential for students to work closely with their academic advisors on planning and scheduling issues from the start of the Program. Across the span of their academic careers, BRDD students can also solicit the advice of deans, faculty, and administrators at both Brown and RISD.

The unique nature of the Program makes BRDD-specific Peer Advising a crucial resource. Each year, a group of returning BRDD students is selected and trained to serve as Peer Advisors. BRDD Peer Advisors connect their fellow students with campus resources and extend support, advice, and camaraderie. They organize community events, communicate with prospective students, and advocate for BRDD student needs.

• All incoming BRDD students are assigned to small First-Year Peer Advising groups. 

• All sophomores work with the designated Second-Year Peer Advisors. 

• With a focus on cultivating an environment of inclusivity and equity, the BRDD Equity Peer Advisor works with students in any year. They support students in all cohorts and of all backgrounds as they navigate the complex academic and social environments of Brown University, RISD, and the BRDD Program, with a specific emphasis on connecting students with marginalized or underrepresented identities to resources that will help them thrive. 

Additionally, BRDD students are matched with a Meiklejohn Peer Advisor at Brown. Various departments and identity-based centers at both Brown and RISD also employ specialized Peer Advisors.