Advisor of the month: May 2024

What do you enjoy about your role in advising?
Personally, it’s an opportunity to get to know students on a different level outside of their sport. It takes time to build a relationship and rapport. As you build that relationship, you have a unique opportunity to learn and discover the various layers of each student. I’m privileged to have a front-row seat to their successes and learning opportunities. We celebrate each success and learn and grow together from those learning opportunities. At the end of the day, we’re making an impact on the students we serve, whether we realize it or not.

In what ways have you contributed to advising in your department/area?
From my seat, I think it takes a village to make any department run smoothly from an advising standpoint. I think my willingness to jump in and assist in any way possible, even if it’s not one of my direct advisees.  We’re all on the team and we all have the same goal at the end of the day.

What advice would you give to other professionals who want to a make a difference in the life of their students?
Listen! I’ve learned to listen and hear a student out and not interrupt. At times, this is difficult for me. I think the more you listen, the more you learn about the student. I believe listening gives one the potential to hear and understand what may be happening in their world and the barriers they are facing. At the end of the day, students and professionals want to be heard. People want to know they matter and want and need a safe space to be able to express themselves.