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| Krista Malley, Paul Battle and Roberta Rea enjoy the opportunity to inspire Oakland University students as well as their peer advisers from around the state and region. |
He enlisted the help of Krista Malley, Ph.D., senior academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences and Roberta Rea, MA, LPC, director of teacher education advising services in the School of Education and Human Services, to form a cross-departmental collaboration. This team brought together diverse advising experiences to create its “Inspiring students to succeed” presentation. They delivered it at the 2014 Michigan Academic Advising Association (MIACADA) conference.
At the event, the trio won “best in show” and a $500 stipend recognizing their work as the top talk at that event. They were then invited to present at the Great Lakes Conference (NACADA Region 5) in Indianapolis.
“We have the coolest job in the whole wide world,” Rea summarized. “Helping students find their path and college experience is incredibly rewarding.”
“For me, it’s rewarding to share compassion, comfort and guidance to students wanting the best possible college experience,” added Malley. “Our goal has always been to turn transactional advising into transformational advising. Yet, often times I come away feeling like it is the students who inspire me.”
“My role in the Registrar’s office is somewhat different,” said Battle. “I am not interacting with the students directly, but take great pride in working with the advisers to help them solve scheduling problems and help students meet course requirements. That allows me to make a positive difference for our students.”
All three advisers pointed to the backing of OU leadership as key to their participation and success. They mentioned the Academic Affairs office and Dr. Susan Awbrey, the School of Education and Human Services and Dr. Nancy Brown and the Office of the Registrar and Steve Shablin for being particularly supportive.
These advisers also note how important the first- and second-year advising programs have been building pride in the university, helping students get plugged into groups on campus and helping students to succeed from year-to-year right through graduation.
More good news: Oakland University was chosen to host this year’s MIACADA state conference, which is coming to campus May 8, 2015. It is the first time OU will be hosting the conference and the 10th anniversary of the gathering. Representatives from more than 25 Michigan colleges are expected to attend.
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About Oakland University Academic Advising:
The mission of academic advising at Oakland University is to empower students as they identify, pursue, and achieve goals that prepare them to lead and serve in local and world communities. This is a continuous process of discovery, clarification, and evaluation, whereby Professional Academic Advisers partner with students to identify possibilities, assess alternatives, and weigh the consequences of decisions.
About the MIACADA Conference:
The Michigan Academic Advising Association, or MIACADA, is an organization of professionals from colleges and universities concerned with the intellectual, personal, and career or vocational advising needs of students within the State of Michigan. MIACADA was founded to foster the personal and professional development of its members by promoting quality academic advising in the state.
About the NACADA Conference:
The National Academic Advising Association, or NACADA, is an association of professional advisors, counselors, faculty, administrators and students working to enhance the educational development of students. The organization evolved from the first National Conference on Academic Advising in 1977 and now has more than 11,000 members representing all 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and several other international countries.