To Whom It May Concern:
It is with great interest that I am submitting this letter of application for the academic advisor position as advertised on the university website. I am committed to student success and have a proven track record of helping diverse students meet their educational goals.
As a graduate student in higher education at the Pennsylvania State University, I have learned about university administration and procedures, and how to engage students. Through courses like Higher Education and Student Affairs, I have studied issues related to student engagement, such as retention and the growing cost of a degree. I have also pursued course work directly related to academic advising. In Foundations of Academic Advising, I learned best practices for relationship building with advisees and developmental advising. I participated in skill-building sessions, where I advised virtual students, such as student athletes and student veterans. I also explored advising theory and the National Academic Advising Association’s materials. In short, my personal advising philosophy is that advisors must contribute to student development and further the institution’s mission. An advisor fosters the academic and personal growth of students, and the advisor’s role includes and extends beyond connecting students to campus resources. An advisor must advocate for students and support their future planning, helping students navigate transitions throughout their academic careers.
I have worked extensively with students, both one-on-one and in groups, for the past four years. As a secondary social studies teacher, I helped students plan their course work to ensure that they would meet college admissions requirements, as well as assisted them in applying to college and navigating the financial aid process. I advised students in planning for their careers and developing the skills necessary to succeed beyond high school, such as strong study habits, note-taking, and written communication. I planned engaging classroom events, inviting guest speakers who could serve as role models for my students. During my time as a Teach For America corps member, I was a recruitment fellow, a role that allowed me to participate in recruitment activities on college campuses and virtual panels. I currently volunteer as an alumni interviewer for Columbia University, speaking with prospective students to answer questions about the university and assess their skills and qualifications. In my current job, I manage a team of part-time instructors, many of whom are students themselves, and I assist them in developing in their careers.
I am passionate about education, and I am committed to helping students reach their goals through advising. I would love the opportunity to work as an academic advisor to help students take advantage of all the resources that their esteemed university has to offer.
Best regards,
Gabrielle Kearns