Forum Schedule

Please make plans to attend Academic Advisor Forums this semester. All sessions (except for the reception) count toward the three hours needed for annual renewal of the Master Advisor designation. All interested advisors are welcome, so please encourage colleagues to participate. Registration is strongly encouraged.

Spring 2024 Academic Advisor Forum Series

Sessions coordinated by Ross Hawkins, Director, Academic Advising and Transfer Center

Beginning in Fall 2023, one hour of master advisor credit MUST be on a diverse topic. Sessions with a diversity component are identified with an * before and after title.

I Have a Spreadsheet for That-Reviewing Student Registration Activity to Develop Data-Driven Action

Presenter: Darren Wienberg, Academic Advisor, Academic Advising & Transfer Center

We all have our anecdotal version of students’ registration activity, but have you wondered how current students actually approach the registration process? There’s a spreadsheet for that! Join us for a data review and brainstorming session as we look into data comparing students’ sequenced registration date, advisor release date, actual registration date (and the number of days between those dates) along with other student registration activity data. Share ideas, techniques, questions, and actions you find useful as you help your students through the registration process. Please pre-register for this session – the data reports will be sent out to registered participants prior to the session so you’ll have more time to review!

Thursday, February 8, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: MEYER LIBRARY, room 206 (note location is not in the PSU)

Registration is Encouraged

Residence Life, Housing Holds, & More

Facilitator: Teresa Frederick, Director, Residence Life, Housing, & Dining Services

This session will provide a brief overview of the Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services department and a deep dive into the housing policy, housing holds, housing assignments and how to support students when they are making housing decisions on and off campus. We’ll feature what’s new with our living-learning communities, other department initiatives, and who to contact for various questions.

Friday, February 9, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Zoom Link

Registration is Encouraged

Through the Looking Glass: The Missouri State Transfer Experience

Facilitator: Nick Beatty, Instructor & Academic Advisor, Political Science & Philosophy Department

Presenters: Bart Tibbs, Assistant Director-Transfer Outreach & Recruitment, Office of Admissions
Ben Metzger, Associate Director-Operations & Systems, Office of Admissions
Lori Day, Senior Admission Evaluator, Office of Admissions
Tara Benson, Associate Director, PSU, Director, Office of Student Engagement
Campbell Keele, Coordinator, Transfer Initiatives, Academic Advising & Transfer Center

The Transfer Advising Committee invites you to join us as we walk through the students' perspective on the Missouri State transfer process. We'll discuss communication a student receives from the Office of Admissions, Transfer Student Orientation, the transfer credit re-evaluation process, and campus integration efforts, all through the eyes of the student.

Monday, February 26, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

zoom link

Registration is Encouraged

Exploring Ethical Frameworks for Advising: Part 2

Presenter: Kimmy Walker, Assistant Director, MCHHS Student Success & Advisement Center

This forum will explore the implementation of ethical frameworks in advising through case studies and discussion. Case studies will differ from those shared in Master Advisor Training, and the session will also discuss incorporation of other personal foundations in advising such as the use of advising philosophies and syllabi. (Previous participation in Part 1 in fall 2023 not required.)

Wednesday, February 28, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: Plaster Student Union, room 314

Registration is Encouraged

*Supporting Our Students: Success through Coaching, Peer Mentoring, and Bears Lead*

Facilitator: Dr. Kelly Wood, Associate Vice President for Student Success

Presenters: Christina Bowles, Coordinator Student Success Coaches, Center for Academic Success & Transition
Dr. Tracey Glaessgen, Associate Director, Center for Academic Success & Transition
Alaina Smith, Assistant Director, Access & Success Programs

The Center for Academic Success and Transition and Bears Lead support students by empowering them to reach their academic, personal, and professional goals through coaching, workshops, and peer mentoring. Some of these activities are supported by a Department of Education grant that began in Fall 2020 to support first-generation student success. We’ll provide an update on grant activities. Join us to learn more about these resources and how to refer students.

Wednesday, March 6, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: Plaster Student Union, room 313

Registration is Encouraged

Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception

Coordinated by the Academic Advising and Transfer Center

Come celebrate the 2024 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award Winners. Executive Vice President Zora Mulligan, Provost Dr. John Jasinski, Dr. Kelly Wood, Associate Vice President for Student Success, and Ross Hawkins, Director of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, will give opening remarks on academic advising and the Master Advisor Program at Missouri State University. We will also recognize the initial recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Advising Award. This celebration is open to all advisors.

Tuesday, March 19, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Location: Plaster Student Union, Union Club

Registration is Encouraged: Master Advisor Reception Registration 

A New Advising Tool: Pathways to Healthcare Professions Handbook

Facilitator: Ross Hawkins, Director, Academic Advising & Transfer Center

Panelists: Hillary Mayes, Director, MCHHS Student Success & Advisement Center
Dr. Matthew Siebert, Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Indigo Tran, Academic Advisor, Marketing, Recruitment, & Retention Specialist, CNAS
Dr. Scott Wallentine, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy

This panel session will introduce the new “Pathways to Healthcare Professions” Handbook to the advising community. The committee who developed the handbook will serve as panelists to explain how there are numerous academic options for many of the pre-professional programs at the University. Insight will be provided on how to help any student who expresses interest in a healthcare profession.

Wednesday, March 20, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: Plaster Student Union, room 313

Registration is Encouraged

Advising Graduate Students: Policies & Practices for Grad Degree Completion

Presenter:  Dr. Carrisa Hoelscher, Associate Dean, Graduate College

In this session, we will discuss a variety of best practices for advising graduate students toward degree completion. Topics will include mixed credit for accelerated students, transfer credit, culminating assessments (e.g., comprehensive exams), research requirements, and more. We know that many of these graduate-specific practices and policies are complex, so we look forward to giving you our top tips for the more detailed processes.

Monday, March 25, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Zoom Link

Registration is Encouraged

Using Proactive Advising & Academic Planning to Better Serve Our Advisees

Presenter: Karmen Ketchum-Brewer, Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist, Business Advisement Center

Students run into all types of roadblocks when pursuing their academic goals. As advisors, we can proactively provide them with resources and a plan to help them achieve those goals. This session will look at ways the College of Business has found to better prepare our students to help meet those expectations.

Wednesday, May 1, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Zoom Link

Registration is Encouraged