Advisor of the month: October 2024

What do you enjoy about your role in advising?
My favorite part of advising is figuring out the puzzles. Whatever it is that has my student stuck, I love helping them find resources or answers that can get them unstuck. Even if they cannot have exactly what they want, when they want it, we can move toward their goal and that is a win!

In what ways have you contributed to advising in your department/area?
Whenever needed, I have agreed to take on extra advisees when a colleague has left or is out sick. I am currently assembling an online advisor hub for our centralized team to make policies and resources easier to locate. I am always ready with a listening ear for other advisors. I participate in professional development opportunities to better my practice.

What advice would you give to other professionals who want to a make a difference in the life of their students?
Always remember, while each 'group of students' has certain traits or similarities, each 'student' is unique. Even if the story they are telling sounds familiar, get more information before assuming you know what they need. Relationships are the most important part of advising. If they don't believe that you see them as an individual, they are not going to value what you have to say about their goals and choices.