My personal advising strategy is built from care and respect that I have for people trying to make change. I believe that people, especially those who are trying to invest in themselves, deserve all the information in the resources they choose to utilize. I want to help students get to a destination in their professional lives that meets their vision of success. My commitment to transparency and honesty is what motivates me to provide a service that creates a smooth process so a student can make the most of the time they are going to spend in college. I believe an inclusive environment helps my students speak openly, which allows me to evaluate their needs. I am here to equip you with the information you need to make the best decision for whatever path you choose.

My advising approaches are situated within my own lived experience as a first-generation college student. Navigating university systems, discovering fields of interests, creating professional networks, and exploring career options are no easy tasks to do alone. My role as an academic advisor is to be a supportive mentor and partner throughout any student’s journey. All students have all the tools necessary to succeed. I believe in creating a student-centered, advising-as-partnership approach in which both the advisor and advisee practice a rhetoric of respect. There is no one right way to move through the world. The role of the academic advisor is to facilitate collaboration and community through curious, unjudging, and inclusive approaches that advocate for students holistically. My role as an advisor is to provide any advisee with fundamental mentorship that supports them beyond their academic journey.

As an advisor I believe the student's aspirations, goals, and dreams should always remain at the center of the advising session. Advising means assisting students in making educated decisions about their academic choices by providing them with accurate information regarding their options, referring them to the respective resources that will assure the best outcomes, and supporting them in navigating the process. I aspire to create a respectful, supportive and encouraging environment for an honest and transparent conversation, where the student remains in the driver's seat, and the advisor serves as a reliable, trustworthy partner responsible for providing not only quality information, but also the tools required to successfully finish college. 

As an advisor I strive to perceive each student as an individual with specific needs and different levels of advisement they require. I honor their independence, recognize their agency and right to maintaining autonomy in the process. I also understand that some students need more support in navigating the complexities of higher education, and I offer my experience and expertise to provide the right amount of structure and resources that will result in student success. 

As an academic advisor, I am here to guide students through their college journey.  I believe advising goes beyond picking classes and meeting degree requirements.  Advisors are mentors and advocates.  Through honest, empathetic conversations, I develop lasting relationships with students.  Through this relationship I hope to provide students with tools to grow their confidence, independence, and self-advocacy.  By the time they reach their ultimate goal of graduation, students will leave prepared not only for their career ahead, but for life outside of college.  I am a supporting cast member of a student’s story, cheering at their successes and helping them pick themselves up when they stumble.  College can be a stressful time, but with support it can also be an exciting time of growth.  I have experience both as a UNM student and as a teacher, which gives me unique insight into challenges student faces.

My goal as an advisor is to support all students with the hope that they can have an optimal college experience, leading them to graduate with a sense of accomplishment and pride. As a first-gen student myself, I have seen the types of barriers that exist for students unfamiliar with the world of higher education. I hope to do my best to help students learn from these obstacles, and gain skills that can be utilized in the future. I believe that making mistakes is natural to the process of learning, and being able to ask questions or ask for help are essential skills that should be encouraged. The role of an advisor is to develop those skills, and provide guidance that will help navigate through the pathway to a degree. Additionally, I know that each person at UNM has a unique perspective and background, and I strive to approach each interaction as a learning experience for myself.

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”     --Mary Ann Evans

Education isn’t just for students that have just finished high school- It’s for anyone that wants to learn and grow. The quote above, sums it up perfectly. I follow a Holistic Advising model, focusing on the student as a whole. I believe in helping guide students through their own educational journey, and giving them the resources to be successful.