Advisor of the month: September 2026

Which National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Core Value resonates with you the most in your position as an advisor and why?

The core value of Empowerment is at the heart of my advising. Encountering a massive institution like Virginia Tech is overwhelming, and students face enormous economic and cultural pressures to make the “right” choices about their college experience. In an environment where it’s easy to lose their sense of self and agency, I think we have the responsibility of empowering students to take ownership of their education. Sometimes that’s as simple as teaching them how to read DARS or call the Bursar’s office. Other times we coach them through their first ever failing grade, or finding a new major when it turns out their first choice isn’t what they dreamed it would be. As advisors, we have the choice of treating these as prescriptive and transactional moments, or of supporting students through a developmental process of research and decision making. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student build confidence and accountability as they learn to take charge of their education.

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

You don’t always have to find the exact right words to teach or impress something on your students. Often the best thing you can do is model behaviors and values for them. I talk to students all the time about balance and mental health, but that isn’t worth much if I’m always harried and stressed each time they encounter me. The advisors who had the greatest impact on me were those who modeled a grounded presence, non-judgement, respectful boundaries, and an ethic of care in academic spaces.