Letter from Lyn

Dear Bengal Family,

One of the things I love about interacting with Idaho State team members is that I get to hear so many individual Why Stories. I find myself inspired, every day, by the experiences and vision that bring our people to work every day, not just to do the job, but to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and colleagues. Today, I want to share one of those Why Stories with you, this one coming from Ashley Larson, advisor in the College of Business.  

Growing up in a small Eastern Idaho town, I had big dreams of one day moving away, seeing the world, and building an exciting and successful life. To do any of that, I knew I would need a college education. Neither of my parents had received any sort of post-secondary education. Both worked mostly minimum wage jobs. When it came to higher education, all three of us were completely clueless. The area where I grew up did not have much of a college-going culture, and so I struggled to find the information and resources I needed at every turn. In fact, it was not uncommon for people to ask why I would “waste my time” going to college when I could find a job close to home and just work. While my family supported my dreams of going to college, none of us really knew what we were doing or how to get started. My mom did her best to help me with admissions applications and other things like financial aid and housing, but beyond those primary tasks that brought me to the university’s doorstep, I was on my own trying to figure out a path forward. 

I have a vivid memory of attending Early Registration in the SUB ballroom prior to starting my first semester at ISU. There were so many people directing me to this table, then to that table, hustling me along to pick classes, print a schedule, and make way for the next student. By the time I left, I had a printed schedule of classes, but no real idea what that meant or what was next.

My first several semesters at Idaho State were full of stress, anxiety, tears, sleepless nights, feelings of defeat, insecurity, and a fear that I would never make it through. I bounced from major to major, feeling more and more unsure about what I was doing with each passing term. I went from being a high school student who took honors courses, participated in extracurricular activities, and worked, all while maintaining above a 3.5 GPA to a college student who waited on pins and needles during each grading period, wondering if I had somehow managed to pass. I was accumulating massive student loan debt, all the while consistently failing classes and having to pay to take them over again. I felt disconnected and lost in the massive university community, and I had no idea where to go for help.

After almost three years of aimlessly taking courses and seeing my GPA near the minimum for satisfactory academic progress, I finally stumbled upon a program that got me really excited about school again. In that program, I was introduced to an advisor, who took time to really get to know me, asking questions about who I was and what I wanted in life. Finally, I had found someone who I felt was invested in my success, and that made me want to reinvest in it as well.

That first semester in my Social Work program, I earned A’s in every course. I took a few “fun” classes and finally made some friends on campus. When I was struggling with my Biology course, one I had previously failed and was retaking, I knew exactly where to go for help, and my advisor connected me with a tutor. I went from earning below the 40% mark the first time I took the class to attaining a perfect A the second time. I flew through the two years in my program and managed to bring my cumulative GPA back up to nearly a 3.5. I graduated with a degree I was proud of, and I finally had the tools I needed to build the life I’d always wanted.

My own experience as a student is the primary reason I show up to work every day excited about what I’ll be doing. Knowing how much that one person impacted my life motivates me to do the same for others. Without that advisor, I would not have found my passion in Social Work, gotten involved and developed connections with people on campus, graduated or gone on to earn my Master’s degree and eventually obtain the job I have today. That one hour my advisor took to get to know me and let me know she cared changed the trajectory of the three-year downhill slide I was on. She truly changed my life.

Some people may think that, as advisors, we are just providing students lists of courses to take and contacting them when a failing midterm grade is reported. However the connections we develop with our students and the support we provide them both academically and personally really can make the difference between them dropping out or persisting to graduation. I try to remember back to when I was that scared 20-something kid, lost and unsure, and how much it meant to have someone really care about my future and offer to help. 

In every student appointment I have, I always take the first 5-10 minutes to just check in with them and see how they’re doing, how their job is going, and how their kids are doing in school. I ask about the vacation they just took or the birthday they just celebrated. I make sure to take diligent and detailed advising notes so that I can always reference past conversations and make sure the student knows that I remember them, that I’m familiar with their situation, and that I care enough to take time to really get to know them. I work hard to remember names so that, when I see them on campus, I can greet them. And every single time, I can see them light up when they realize I remember them even if we met six months ago.

Yes, advising is the process of providing students with academic guidance as they pursue their degree. Yes, advising is providing lists of courses, degree requirements, and scheduling options. Yes, advising is contacting students with failing grades or holds on their record. 

But advising is also so much more. It’s giving those students someone to turn to when they don’t know where else to go. It’s providing a safe place to talk about fears about a tough biology course or a professor they’re nervous about talking to. It’s about connecting students with the resources they need to navigate this huge, complex, and intimidating university community. It’s helping them develop the confidence they need to try new things and being there to help them reevaluate if something doesn’t go right the first time. Advising, when done correctly, is at its core, teaching students how to navigate university life and how to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them.

I absolutely love being a part of the Idaho State University community and the Bengal Family. I feel so blessed to work with such amazing people every single day, and I sincerely hope that I’m able to be a positive influence in their lives as they are in mine. When I think about my career, and where I want to be 10 years from now, I cannot imagine being anywhere else. 

Ashley is just one example of the people who come to work every day to make a difference in students’ lives. How is your student doing? Does your student need a little help figuring out college or selecting a major? We have great people here, ready to help. For advising assistance, check us out at https://www.isu.edu/advising/ or send us your questions at bengalfamilynetwork@isu.edu. 

Sincerely,

 

Lyn Redington

Vice President for Student Affairs

   and Enrollment Management