On Wednesday, March 5, the UIS Undergraduate Advising office hosted a table event at the Student Union with the goal of connecting students to essential advising resources. The event aimed to raise awareness of the services available to undergraduate students at UIS and ensure they have access to the guidance they need to succeed academically.
Patrick Anderson, an Undergraduate Academic Advisor, shared that the main goal of the event was “for students to see an advisor impromptu, without having to make an appointment.” The event provided students with an opportunity for in-person interaction, which Anderson emphasized as a valuable experience. “For many, it is the first time they meet with advisors in person because students would rather have Zoom appointments these days,” he explained.
In addition to Anderson, fellow advisors Karen Barker and Mike Krcil were also present at the event. Barker advises first and second-year students in the CAP Honors program, while Krcil works with undergraduates in the computer science program. Their presence at the table helped to ensure that students from different fields had access to personalized advice.
Anderson highlighted the importance of visibility in building awareness of advising services. “We do an important job on campus, we do an important job for the university, and it is important that students and the administration see that we are out here making a difference,” he said. This visibility, he noted, plays a key role in encouraging more students to take advantage of advising resources.
Reflecting on the success of these events, Anderson noted that the “Advisor is In” initiative has been growing steadily in popularity. “We have noticed that the more we do the ‘Advisor is In’, the more response we get from the students,” he shared. While the initial events may not have been packed, Anderson expressed optimism about the future. “We are planning to grow the event until it becomes a well-known campus highlight,” he said.
Anderson also believes that by hosting this event every semester, the UIS community will become increasingly receptive to connecting with advisors. “I believe that if we keep doing this event every semester, the student population will be increasingly more accepting, curious, and welcoming, wanting to connect with advisors more,” he stated.
Advising is a crucial resource for academic success, especially for undergraduates, and events like this aim to make students more aware of the valuable services available to them. By fostering direct connections between students and advisors, UIS hopes to create a more accessible, supportive environment that encourages academic growth and achievement.
With plans to expand and refine the event in future semesters, the UIS Undergraduate Advising office is determined to continue supporting students in their academic journeys.
