Arts and Cultural Studies
Majors:
Advising is art. It is not wholly prescriptive but provides students with a level of stability during their post-secondary education. It allows students a canvas on which to create their own journey, knowing a resource is always available. Advising is dance. It seeks out strategies to deftly navigate a student’s interests, crafting an individualized path that appears effortless to the outside eye. Advising is theater. It wears many hats, assumes many roles, and dips in and out of character with ease. Advising is music. It takes steps that may initially sound discordant and weaves them into a fugue that culminates with a completed degree.
My experiences as a musician, artist, and educator are constantly informing my philosophy as an academic advisor. I believe in the value of the arts, the strength of a diverse academic curriculum, and the power of higher education, particularly at urban-serving institutions. Few things spark joy in the same way as seeing a student persevere and achieve their academic and professional goals, and I am motivated by the impact my role can have in a student’s journey. My advisees know me to be empathetic and honest, detail-oriented and creative, student-focused and accepting. I’m proud of the work we do at UMKC and cannot wait to help you Roo Up!
