Kansas State University

University Advising Committee formed to strengthen academic advising for all students

Submitted by Interim Provost Debbie Mercer and Vice President Thomas Lane

The K-State Student Success Playbook initiative plays a central role in advancing our Next-Gen K-State strategic imperative to deliver improved student outcomes across all student populations. One of the four action areas in the Playbook is to provide data-informed, coordinated, proactive advising across the university. We are happy to announce today the creation of the University Advising Committee, or UAC, in support of the K-State Student Success Playbook action area.

Specifically, the UAC aims to center the strengths of K-State's college-based advising with enhanced coordination and collaboration to bolster student success. This committee, chaired by the associate vice president of academic and career engagement, will advise university leadership on strategies, processes, policies and practices that lead to a high-quality advising experience for all students. The committee will play a vital role in helping equip the teams of academic advisors across all campuses and locations of Kansas State University as they help resident and online students navigate their paths to success.

The University Advising Committee is charged with addressing the following activities:

• Determine and implement the use of common practices and technology for every advisor.
• Determine timely common communication plans and touch points delivered to students.
• Determine training that will be required for all new employees with advising responsibilities at K-State and continuous training for all advisors.
• Identify and institute academic advising best practices across the university in each college and campus.

The UAC’s membership is specifically designed to include representation from each college, division and campus advising unit.

University Advising Committee Members are:

• Bill Watts, chair, associate vice president for academic and career engagement.
• Jenny Bormann, assistant dean for academic programs in the College of Agriculture.
• Olga Heim, director of student services in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
• Jo Maseberg Tomlinson, interim director of program development and management for K-State Global Campus.
• Shawna Jordan, assistant dean for student success in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
• Roger Schieferecke, assistant dean for student success in the College of Education.
• Melinda Cro, associate dean for student success, engagement and undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Mitzi Farmer, director of academic services in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
• Bente Janda, assistant dean for student services in the College of Business Administration.
• Jared Meitler, director of the Pre-Professional and Exploratory Advising Center.
• Megan Miller, assistant director of student success in the Graduate School.
• Kimberly Voight, director of student services for the Olathe campus.
• Christal Cadenhead, director of academic advising for the Salina campus.
• Pamela Erickson, executive director of academic advising in the Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs.
• Brad Cunningham, program administrator for advising technology.
• Beth Stuewe, academic advisor for K-State Global Campus and chair of Advisor Forum.
• Joan Krush, assistant director for NACADA, the global community for academic advising.
• Paige Vulgamore, SGA president.

We thank the members of the UAC for their willingness to serve on the committee and for their passion and commitment to providing all students with the advising support they need. We also thank all of you across the university who work every day to provide students a truly outstanding and impactful student experience.