Advisor of the month: January 2025

What do you enjoy about your role in advising?

I find it meaningful to serve as a source of comfort and reliance to students as they embark upon their college experience. It is especially fulfilling to guide students who have encountered roadblocks and need help navigating those challenges. It is also rewarding to help alleviate student’s concerns and equip them with tools they need to navigate college and beyond through validating their experiences, connecting them with useful resources, and advising them on how to advocate for their needs.

In what ways have you contributed to advising in your department/area?

I have contributed in the space of DEI and belonging. As part of our department’s Equity and Inclusion committee, I organized a year-long training series for our advising team which resulted in increased inclusive advising practices across the team. Also, a coworker and I have collaborated with Hokie Wellness to bring the course, The Connection Project, to our first-year engineering students. The course has been found to increase belonging while decreasing reports of loneliness and depression.

What advice would you give to other professionals who want to make a difference in the life of their students?

Engaging in practices that promote staying present in the moment has helped me become a more useful advisor. Especially during high-traffic periods, it is easy to become distracted in student meetings. When I actively work on my ability to stay present, I find my appointments more fulfilling for myself and helpful for my students. Doing so allows me to provide information to questions the students don’t know to ask and to best be able to advise in an empathic, meaningful, and detailed manner.