EMU Today

YPSILANTI – "We support your goals."

That’s the new mission statement from the Eastern Michigan University College Academic-Advising offices and University Advising & Career Development Center (UACDC), a reflection of the University’s commitment toward student success.

The statement arises out of extensive discussions within each area, with the goal to highlight the recent enhancements in Eastern’s advising and career development structure. 

The enhancements highlight the growing specialization in academic programs and the evolving needs of students.  The University now has advising centers located in each of its five colleges, as well as the University Advising and Career Development Center (UACDC), located in McKenny Hall, which provides both academic advising and career services. 

 “Our task was to write a mission statement reflecting the shared role and work of the five separate college advising offices and the UACDC,” said John Carlson, senior corporate relations manager for the Center, who helped lead discussions on the new mission statement. “The five colleges at Eastern have distinct academic approaches and career paths that require specialized and regular discussions to maximize outcomes for our students.”

Sarah Kersey Otto, director of the UACDC, said, “The new mission statement helps each of our offices to truly focus on our students and what's important to them. A student's success is our success – so we look at what can we do to support, guide and assist them in their pursuits and then align our services and resources accordingly.”

Eastern is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Business, the College of Technology and the College of Health and Human Services.

Led by Carlson, the core group agreed the shared mission statement – “We support your goals” – would be brief, and that each college advising office would write supplementary statements reflecting the distinct nature of the college and its students.

Those statements include articulation of each college advising office’s mission, services, programs, resources, stakeholders and impact.

Carlson noted that the central goals of the college advising offices along with the UACDC are to aid students in creating and attaining academic/career plans, to continue to improve first-year student retention, and to continue increasing six-year graduation rates along with the overall number of degrees awarded by EMU.

 “Each office's supplemental statements will reflect that office's specific role in improving these metrics,” Carlson said.

For example, academic advisors in the College of Education monitor current hiring trends and certification standards, information they share with students to enhance their job readiness.

College of Business advisors work closely with academic advisors at local community colleges to ensure business students transition smoothly to EMU.

Through outreach to community high schools, College of Technology advisors build interest in technology (and high-paying tech jobs) among prospective students, especially those in underrepresented populations.

“Each area is individually responsible for specific initiatives towards student success,” said Calvin McFarland, EMU’s Assistant Vice President, Academic Services. “These initiatives are important because student success entails a lot of student support services that are provided throughout the EMU campus.”

Carlson added, “We are excited about our shared focus in advising throughout Eastern, and how that approach is tailored to the needs of individual students and their academic and career paths. In today’s job market, it’s crucial to be highly specific in addressing students’ goals, and, from Day One, how the University can help guide them along that journey.”

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 19,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.