‘Creative, supportive, persistent’: MSU thanks faculty, staff advisors during NACADA Global Advising Week
In this Office of Public Affairs file photograph, MSU Academic Coordinator Jermaine Jackson talks with a student at the University Academic Advising Center, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the center’s staff members have been using Webex, phone calls, email and other methods to assist their student advisees.
At a time when everyone can benefit from extra attention and assistance from others, Mississippi State is celebrating a special group of employees this week who are giving tireless effort in helping students succeed.
Faculty and staff academic advisors at MSU and around the world were recognized during the inaugural Global Advising Week last week.
“Perhaps never more than over the past month, MSU’s faculty and staff with advising responsibilities have been creative, supportive and persistent in completing their jobs, meeting the needs of students and supporting MSU,” said Lynda Moore, director of MSU’s University Academic Advising Center.
Founded by the Global Community for Academic Advising, also known as NACADA, Global Advising Week celebrates the work of advisors, academic and personal tutors, counselors and coaches impacting the lives of students around the globe advising in its many impactful forms. Moore is serving as chair of NACADA’s Student Athlete Advising Community.
“Advisors across campus have pulled together during these unprecedented times, and the level of ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness they have used to help students is impressive and much appreciated,” said Moore, who also serves as chair of the MSU Academic Advisors’ Council. The council seeks to foster and enhance communication between academic advisors, university departments and administrative units, such as The Learning Center and the offices of the Registrar, Admissions and Scholarships, and Financial Aid.
Moore said the council is encouraging colleges and departments to join the UAAC in highlighting advisors’ contributions and successes through annual newsletters, along with creative posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using hashtags #advisingfaMily, #nacadafamily and #msstateadvising.
“Students may be at home, but we’re still accessible. Even after classes are over, advising never stops. Our advisors are going the extra mile to help students as much as they can. We have a course in Canvas where advisors can ask questions and support each other as they continue this important work,” she said.
The UAAC serves undeclared students, along with those pursuing university studies degrees through MSU’s Complete 2 Compete program. Moore said the center’s staff members have been using Webex, phone calls, email and other methods to assist their student advisees in navigating their path forward. Returning undeclared or C2C students can make an advising appointment with the UAAC at https://go.oncehub.com/uaacadvise.
Moore also encourages students to consider MSU’s summer school options and advises incoming students to register and participate in this summer’s virtual Orientation sessions.
“Just like you have a summer advantage, you have an advising advantage at Mississippi State. Advisors are here to help current and prospective students get ready for summer school,” Moore said. “More than ever, we’re going to reach out and establish a relationship with students before they participate in Orientation.”
Moore said in addition to assisting undeclared and C2C students, the UAAC has been fielding general inquiries from students of other majors as well.
“Sometimes, students just have general advising questions, and we’ll field those. If they have specific questions about majors, class choices or being released to register for classes, we’ll send them back to their home college to get the help they need,” she said.
For more on MSU’s University Academic Advising Center, visit www.uaac.msstate.edu and follow on Twitter and Instagram.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Sasha Steinberg | Public Affairs
