Advisor of the month: August 2017
Erika Perdue, Advisor of the Month for August Advising Matters at Virginia Tech
Erika Perdue
Economics, College of Science
What do you enjoy about your role in advising?
I enjoy helping students find the major that is right for their goals and helping students that may have struggled in previous majors succeed in Economics. I also enjoy developing new processes that will help advise students and improve current processes to be more efficient and meet the always changing needs of students.
In what ways have you contributed to advising in your department/area?
I have created a system to monitor student progress and comply with department policy 91 requirements. Through the system I have developed I share with students the expected course of progress and use the documentation to encourage students to succeed.
I have shared this procedure with other advisors in the College of Science. When the College of Business wanted to implement enforcement of the college’s policy 91 requirements I had several meetings with advising leaders to help them understand my system, adapt the system to their requirements, and implement the system.
What advice would you give to other professionals who want to a make a difference in the life of their students?
Be willing to open up to students and let them know your story and make connections with them however you can.