NECTION BY TARA ROBERTS
WITH AN ADVISOR
A NNA CAIRNS has been an academic advisor at CWU for five years and for the College of Business since January. Her experience gives her insight into the lives of the students she serves and the ways the college can support them. Why do you enjoy being an advisor? I was a non-traditional student, a single parent, low-income, and a woman of color, identifying as part of the LGBTQIA community. I have had several barriers similar to the stu- dents I have and now serve. Through my own story, I was able to see the value of education and how it can change
“I’ve learned through research that these things matter,” he said. “I didn’t know them before, but I learned through Dr. Holley, which is one of the reasons we worked so well together. She has so much knowledge in this field, and I technically didn’t have any, but I was ready to learn.” Holley also fit as Singh’s mentor because she’d been in his shoes. She was a McNair scholar, too. Holley was thrilled to provide Singh with opportuni - ties not only to conduct research, but also to share it. In March, they presented their study at the Western Academy of Management conference in Hawaii. Such experiences can transform first-generation students who may not realize the academic and career options ahead of them. “ A lot of it is up to faculty and staff saying, ‘This is a really cool opportunity, and I believe in your capability to do this,’” Holley said. The College of Business is primed to offer students positive connections with mentors. The college’s small classes and full-time faculty allow students to get to know faculty and staff members. Central’s passionate alumni help, too. With the pan - demic bringing about increased use of virtual meeting tools, the college launched Beyond Business Tuesday Night talks, where alumni and students talk about life. CWU Business Mentoring connects students with alum- ni mentors in their field. “We have alumni who are extremely committed to pro- viding the current generation of students with the same or better opportunities as they had when they went to school,” Stinson said. “It’s this remarkable network that gets created.” Julie Back (’92), a principal and advisor at the wealth management firm Wealthspire Advisors, is a CB Leader - ship Board member and a Business Mentoring mentor. Reflecting on her background, she wanted to support the college’s mission of retaining students. “As a first generation, non-traditional student, I didn’t have a lot of guidance as I navigated my college career,” Back said. “I’m hoping that by being a mentor I can share my experience as a student and as a professional to hopefully make the path a little easier for students. And, over the years in my professional work, I’ve come to realize how important mentors can be.”
a person’s trajectory in life. I take pride in serving the students here at Central and in the College of Business. How does the College of Business work to support first-generation and non- traditional students? The College of Business takes a holistic approach in how we work
with them. Once students declare their major in the college, they are connected with their academic advisor and put into a Canvas course that provides them with important deadlines, resources on campus and in the community, and information about how to connect with their advisor. The college has many clubs that students can be a part of, employment opportunities to gain additional skills for their future careers, faculty mentorship, CB-specific scholarships, emergency funding, assistance with graduation planning, and a career counselor to assist with cover letters, resumes, internships, and career opportunities. What valuable perspectives do these students bring to college? Their rich life experiences, their emotional intelligence, and their grit. Many of the students I have worked with have amazed me with the determination they have to finish their degree, to give back to their families and their communities. I admire their desire to have a better life, not only for them - selves, but those who will come after them. These students give other students the opportunity to see multiple per- spectives and to have a greater understanding of peoples’ backgrounds and experiences that differ from their own.
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