There are professionals across Academic Affairs and Student Development who provide direct and indirect support for students’ academic success. Here are descriptions of those roles, and names of those currently serving in them.
Director of Advising – Lesley Clinard
The Director of Advising coordinates the advising team of 120+ faculty and administrators who mentor and guide students through their academic journeys. This includes managing all of the logistics and communications for the Advising Office. The Director serves as a resource for students and advisors, answering questions, offering guidance, and helping to navigate complex advising situations. Faculty are encouraged to reach out to the Director regarding any advising-related matters or to discuss individual cases where additional support may be needed. The Director also chairs the Early Alert Committee (see below), leads advisor training and professional development opportunities, and manages the Departmental Student Advisor (DSA) program.
Director of Academic Access and Success/Learning Commons – Wraegen Williams
The Director of Academic Access and Success uses data-informed assessment to identify and remove barriers to student achievement while working collaboratively across the institution to ensure students have access to the support they need. The Director oversees the Learning Commons, including the SMBE Learning Centers and the Writing Center, which are central hubs for academic support that promote learning, persistence and success for all students. Other resources available through this office include academic success peer consultants and tools for assistive technology. This office is also assessing ESL/ELL support on a case-by-case basis; faculty are encouraged to submit an Early Alert for students they feel could benefit.
Dean of Students – Dana Jansma
Among the many responsibilities, the Dean of Students oversees student disability accommodations, medical leave of absences and withdrawals, and student emergencies, as well as providing general student assistance, advice, support and referrals.
Associate Dean of Students – Adam Kubiak
The Associate Dean of Students is responsible for overseeing the student conduct process which includes incidents of academic dishonesty. This includes helping faculty navigate potential or confirmed incidents of academic dishonesty in class as well as violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The Associate Dean of Students oversees the Residential Life program and New Student Orientation.
Director of Student Success, Intercultural Student Life and First Gen Students – Ron Dillard
This Director is focused on developing programming to engage students around mental health, professional development, and campus/community engagement. That includes creating a community amongst first generation students, planning events to engage and retain first generation students, promoting the Intercultural Center amongst students, and engaging students in one-on-one coaching.
Clinical Supervisor, Student Health and Counseling Center – Stef Stefanski
The Student Health and Counseling Center provides individual and group counseling services to students. In addition to pre-scheduled counseling sessions, the center offers walk-in services for de-escalation, acute symptoms, and crises. The center can also assist with direct referrals for evaluation and medical consultation.The clinical supervisor of the Student Health and Counseling Center heads up the CARE Team which regularly reaches out to students to offer services, support and resources.
Early Alert Committee
The Early Alert Committee is chaired by the Director of Academic Advising. The committee meets weekly during Weeks 2-9 of the term to review reports submitted about students who seem to be disengaged, are failing or missing assignments, have excessive absences, or are facing any other academic challenges. The committee serves as a central collection point and is thus able to assess whether there may be broader issues than appear in just one course. The committee is composed of staff from Advising, the Registrar’s Office, Student Development, the Counseling Center, the CARE Team, Athletics, and Financial Aid.
Faculty are encouraged to submit reports as often as necessary and throughout the term as intervention might be helpful. Submitted reports are sent immediately to the student’s advisor as well as to the committee, and advisors are expected to respond promptly by meeting with the student to discuss the isse, identify possible solutions, and refer the student to additional resources as needed. For students reported more than once, the committee follows up directly with the advisor, reporter, and/or student as appropriate.
Please contact the Director of Academic Advising directly to Early Alert a student who is not currently listed as one of your students/advisees.
UpJohn LIbrary Commons
Archivist – Lisa Murphy
The College Archivist collects appropriate materials in all formats for inclusion in the College’s archives. This position is responsible for evaluating materials for preservation and retention and for providing reference services regarding Archives materials. The Archivist also hosts class visits that use primary source materials and hosts student organizations interested in learning about their group’s history.
Rare Book Room Curator – Elena Pullium
The A.M. Todd Rare Book Room houses a distinctive collection of rare and unused books and manuscripts. Exhibits are changed out quarterly. The curator also hosts class visits as well as demonstrations of a printing press.
Access Services Librarian – Hillary Berry
The Access Services Librarian manages the daily operations of the Upjohn Library Commons, including the facility and related patron services. These services include circulation of physical library materials including MeLCat, course reserves, books and DVDs.
Graphics/Multimedia – Kathryn Lightcap
This person operates the Center for New Media Design (in the rear of the first floor of the library). The center supports print and digital graphics media for student works in addition to the specialty needs of the campus community pertaining to printing, scanning, and graphic design.
Document Delivery Specialist – Madolene Stap
This position supports our campus Inter-Library Loan requests.
Collection and Reference Services Librarian – Lauren McMullan
This position has primary oversight of library collection management and works in collaboration with the reference and instruction librarian to provide library instruction and in-depth research support for faculty, students, staff and other library users.
Digital Services Librarian – Ethan Cutler
The Digital Services Librarian implements, maintains, supports and expands a wide range of library technologies and library enterprise systems.
Reference and Instruction Librarian – Kelly Frost
The Reference and Instruction Librarian oversees research support and library instruction for students, faculty, and staff. This position partners with faculty to teach information literacy in the First Year Seminars and other classes, helping students build research skills and discover library resources through tailored course guides.