Director, Newnan Academic Advising Center
About
What is your advising philosophy?
My advising philosophy leverages the connection of students’ lives inside and outside of the classroom. Faculty and staff often only get to see snapshots of students through the academic curriculum, academic advising appointments, residential life interactions, involvement in clubs and student organizations, difficult financial aid discussions, undergraduate research, campus employment, career development conversations, and/or leadership development opportunities. Yet, all of these experiences (and others) help students grow and change into who they are and want to be. I am guided by the principle that if we thoughtfully and strategically work together as faculty and staff we will build a student success network that holistically and seamlessly supports students through their wonderful successes and equally fruitful challenges.
What was your path to Newnan?
I am a first-generation college student and first-generation professional. Access to higher education changed the trajectory of my life so it was only natural for me to work to create and foster the opportunities for learning, growth, and support on college campuses that were so meaningful to me. I grew-up in the rural northwest Ohio and have been in the northeast for 17 years, mostly recently working at New York University - College of Arts and Science for 7 years. I am thrilled to return to the midwest to be closer to my family and work to serve the U-M campus and LSA students.
Why did you join Newnan?
I am a believer in the liberal arts. I attended an all women's liberal arts school in Notre Dame, IN and it is clear each day that the broad educational foundation I had the privilege of engaging in prepared me for the many opportunities and challenges that life has thrown my way!
Class you loved and why?
I loved my College Student Learning and Development class in my MA Program. This helped me learn about human development and how we grow and change into who we are. I enjoyed learning about all realms of development (psychosocial, intellectual, moral, epistemological, and social identities - sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, SES, faith and spiritually, and emerging areas of research). It opened my eyes to the many different ways we are human. I liked the class so much that 4 years ago I started teaching the same course each spring in the NYU - Steinhardt Higher Education Administration (HESA) program and it has been my great joy to develop the course and teach graduate students going into Student Affairs fields.
