What is your name and current role here at the College of Applied Studies?

Emily Stevens

Director of Academic Advising

Can you share a bit about your previous experience at Wichita State University?

I have worked at Wichita State for 7 years. I started at Wichita State as the Academic Advising Coordinator for the Teacher Apprentice Program. In that program, I was able to work with adult and online learners who were working as para educators while pursuing a degree that would prepare them to become a licensed teacher. This program has become the largest program at WSU and is now open for incoming Freshmen who want to work as para educators while completing their education program. After over 6 years in that position I have now transitioned to the Director of Academic Advising in the College of Applied Studies. What I love about this transition is the opportunity to collaborate and advise many students within many different programs within the College of Applied Studies. I love to see students on different educational paths and assisting them reach whatever their educational goals may be.

What is your educational background?

I am a proud first-generation college graduate who graduated from Butler Community College with an Associates degree in Secondary Education: History/Government. I started working in higher education and decided that another passion of mine (besides history) was in student service. I transferred to Southern New Hampshire University to pursue my bachelors degree in History online so that I could continue working in higher education while continuing with my education. I received my Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts in History from Southern New Hampshire University. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in academic advising?

I was not originally intending to become an academic advisor. I was originally going to school to become a high school history/government teacher but made the decision to pursue academic advising when I was a college student myself. The impact that my first academic advisor had on me was special. I was a first generation student and when exploring college, I had no idea where to start but my academic advisor took the time to guide me through everything! He even took the time to have a conversation with me at first to just get to know me and my goals. I saw the difference this had on my success and also the effect the lack of that type of advising had on student success and decided that I wanted to be a part of that journey for other people. So, here I am!

What do you enjoy most about working in academic advising?

I love the relationships that I get to build with my students. It is great to be able to assist them through their educational journey from start to finish and even beyond. I love seeing my students reach their educational, career and life goals while on that journey. I also love to problem solve, which makes academic advising fun for me! 

What are some of your personal interests or hobbies outside of work?

I really enjoy sports. When I am not at work, I am usually at a sporting event (whether it is my kids game or local sporting event. I am an avid football, baseball, and hockey fan. I even help coach my daughter’s softball team. Outside of sports, I enjoy being outdoors. My family and I love to spend as much time outdoors, camping, fishing and hiking. My family even has a summer fishing competition with each other. We like to see who can catch the most fish over the summer.

Outside of my time as an academic advisor, I am also an Adjunct Faculty who teaches History/Government college courses for various institutions. This allows for me to dabble in my other passion which is history and education! I love to get students interested in history, even if they came into that course hating it or just selecting that course for a general education requirement. My students often find something in history that they can connect or relate to their life and that is always fun to see!

What is one piece of advice you would give to the students at the College of Applied Studies?

If I could give students one piece of advice, it would be… Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an academic advisor, I welcome questions and they help me to assist students in reaching their goals. I love hearing from my students and I am passionate about helping students. I know that all of our advisors are! It is always easier for me to help a student in a sticky situation when they reach out earlier, before it becomes a bigger problem or while there are more options that I can give them. I remind my students, this educational journey is YOUR journey and to get the most out of this journey, I want my students in charge of that journey as much as possible!

Can you share a fun fact about you that most people might not know?

Something that most people do not know about me is that I am part of a Scottish clan. My Scottish clan is Clan MacTavish. My family and I travel across the United States and attend different Scottish Highland Games to represent our clan. Some of our family members have even dabbled in some of the kilted highland games.

How can students and colleagues get in contact with you?

Students and colleagues can get in touch with me in many ways such as giving me a call, emailing me or just stopping by my office. My contact information is listed below along with a link that students can schedule appointments with me.

P: (316) 978-7319

E: emily.stevens@wichita.edu

R.D. Hubbard Hall RM: 135

Schedule An Appointment With Me