Virginia Tech® home

Advisor of the month: May 2023

Rebecca Cockrum

Dairy Science


What do you enjoy about your role in advising?
My favorite part of my role as an advisor is to watch the growth of the students. I love seeing how they develop into these amazing adults about to embark on their future careers. It's a beautiful thing!

In what ways have you contributed to advising in your department/area?
I serve as a faculty advisor for the pre-veterinary track students in the School of Animal Sciences, specifically with our accelerated 3+1 program. I not only advise students on their academics, but also lead mentorship programs that promote diversity and inclusion in the animal health industry. I oversee undergraduate research projects and include many of my advisees as undergraduate teaching assistants in my classes. Because of my background in Human Resources, I also provide professional development advice on resumes, cover letters, and developing e-Portfolio's for self-marketing.

What advice would you give to other professionals who want to a make a difference in the life of their students?
Listen. Students want to be heard. They will tell you their needs, interests, and challenges through their stories. By getting to know them, you can better guide them to resources.