Advisers do more than help students register for classes — they are a sounding board for future plans, a networking connection to other universities and professions and a support system for students as they navigate their college career.
Elizabeth “Liz” Bryant has been with the University of Idaho for two years. In that time, she has been working as the pre-health adviser in the Academic Advising Office. Bryant said she serves as a secondary adviser for any pre-health majors in addition to the students’ faculty adviser.
“I’m here to support the student,” Bryant said. “We want students to succeed.”
Diamond Koloski | Argonaut
Pre-Health Professions Adviser Liz Bryant discusses future course planning with sophomore biology major, pre-med focus David Richards.
An adviser is someone who serves as a resource for students, Bryant said. They provide information about campus resources, and they make sure students are aware of the opportunities around them.
“We are coaches and kind of cheerleaders,” Bryant said. “We are here to support and cheer for (students). We want them to make the most of their time here.”
Senior Rachel Anderson said she has known Bryant for three years and said the advising at UI has been a wonderful resource for her throughout her education.
“Liz has helped me numerous times,” Anderson said. “Through all the perils and challenges that come with choosing a career in medicine, she has been my go-to person.”
For some students, reaching out to advisers is intimidating, Bryant said. It is especially hard if the adviser and the student don’t click. Bryant said that if a student doesn’t connect with their adviser, it can be hard to open up to them about important things that happen outside of academia that affect classes.
Bryant said to increase the likelihood of connecting with an adviser students should ask a professor they clicked with in their degree field.
“Most faculty want to honor the request to be an adviser,” Bryant said.
She also said it is important for students to just reach out, even before the first day of classes, and introduce themselves.
“I have been led by my advisers to many fantastic opportunities and they also have helped in deciding what the best course load will be for me,” Anderson said.
Bryant said she loves hearing from former and current students about their successes in college and beyond. Even if it is something as simple as scoring a higher grade on an organic chemistry test, she enjoys hearing those stories from her students.
“We want all our students to be successful,” Bryant said.
Claire Whitley
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