Shawn Lyons

President Ryan once offered this proverb to an audience of parents of new students: “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.” As an academic advisor I view college as preparation for life, where each student’s intellect and creativity are developed, and each student is thoroughly challenged, enabling them to become more resilient and resourceful through this unique educational experience. Advising—the advising of professionals and non-professionals, parents and relatives, peers and elders—should be very important to any student’s development. All of us who advise will have advised some who appreciate our counsel, while others disregard our words which we insist are wise and necessary to their academic success. As I approach the end of my third decade of advising and teaching, I still strive to be an advisor able to meet students wherever they are on that proverbial road, offering my best advice, and remaining supportive throughout my students’ successes or disappointments.