Dana McGuire

College: College of Natural Resources and Environment
Years as an academic advisor:  6
What do you wish students knew about academic advisors? Academic advisors want students to create meaningful and robust college experiences for themselves, and they are here to help! Advisors often serve as a hub for all of the resources and services on campus, so if you need something but don’t know where to turn, start with your academic advisor! Advisors are here to support their students through their ups and downs, so whether you are going through a challenging time or something wonderful is happening in your life, your advisor wants to know about it and support you in any way they can!
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a brand new advisor? There are many things I would like to share with new advisors, but I think the most important thing to remember is to never give up on your students and always hold them accountable for their actions. It can be irritating to watch students make similar mistakes over and over, but instead of throwing your hands up in frustration, it’s important to help the student understand why they continue their behaviors. After all, I firmly believe that people do well when they can and that helping students figure out the “why” behind their behaviors, and ways to address those “why”s, can make a lasting impact on their lives.