Committees
Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA)
EAA is a three-year commitment to institutional introspection, evaluation and change. It provides a systematic and intentional approach to increasing the effectiveness of academic advising by engaging the institution in a collaborative effort to change processes, practices, and campus culture to better align with institutional and advising goals. This partnership leverages the expertise of two nationally recognized professional organizations (NACADA and the Gardner Institute) to guide and facilitate educational and organizational changes built upon a foundation of evidence-based decision making, planning and implementation.
In 2019, Western Michigan University was selected as one of twelve institutions to participate in the Urban Ecosystems Cohort. Funded by the Kresge Foundation, this second cohort of EAA intentionally focuses on achievement gaps due to policies, practices, and processes that have impacted the outcomes of traditionally marginalized students (e.g., racially minoritized students, first generation college students, Pell-eligible students).
University Advising and Success Council (UA&SC)
The University Advising and Success Council brings together academic advisors and student success professionals at WMU to collectively share resources, receive training and solve problems.
Registration Access Change Subcommittee
The Registration Access Change Subcommittee works to ensure registration access is uniform for all faculty and staff. The committee is made up of representatives from academic advising, student success and administrative staff. These members focus on:
- Addressing faculty and staff concerns related to registration access
- Identifying solutions
- Developing new processes
Subcommittee Members
- Tammi Smith
Committee Chair - Nathifa Sligh
- Jamie Long
- Kellie Skiba
- Sue Murray
- Colleen Stano
- Ariel Palau
- Tammi Smith
- Yumi Takahashi-Ede
- McKenzie Vliek
- Lynda Root
- Nick Gauthier
- Kyle Manninen
- Megan Larson
- Dillon Dolby
- Pam Sward
- Paige Warner
- Sarah Anderson
- Diana Blouin
- Tracy Corstange
- Jeannine Shafer
- Kimmy Beuchler
Advising Leadership Council
Academic Advising Leadership Council is comprised of directors for academic advising, student services and special programs. The purpose of the council is cross-unit collaboration and decision making.
Committee members
- Anthony Helms
- Ashley Bravo
- Betsy Drummer
- Chris Robinson
- Colleen Stano
- Craig VanGalder
- Deanna Welter
- Derek Andree
- Diana Blouin
- Jane Westra
- Jeff Stone
- Jessica Parker
- Kevin Knutson
- Kim Cho
- Lenore Yaeger
- Melinda Lockett
- M'Myia Hughes
- Nancy Cretsinger
- Nathifa Sligh
- Nick Gauthier
- Nicolas Witschi
- Randy Ott
- Rich McMullen
- Ron Dillard
- Sharon VanDyken
- Sue Murray
- Tammi Smith
Readmission Subcommittee
The Readmission Subcommittee establishes and maintains a centralized readmission process across academic colleges. The committee includes advising directors, assistant directors and advisors from the colleges of Aviation, Arts and Science, Business, Engineering, Fine Arts, Health and Human Service and Merze Tate. The committee focuses on:
- Addressing concerns related to the readmission process for undergraduate students
- Identifying solutions
- Developing new processes
Subcommittee members
- Jane Westra
Committee Chair - Rich McMullen
- Lenore Yaeger
- Jane Westra
- Melinda Lockett
- Ron Dillard
- Nick Gauthier
- Jessica Parker
- Nathan Robinson
- Shannon Myers
- Sharon Van Dyken
Academic Advising Awards Subcommittee
The Academic Advising Awards subcommittee establishes the award categories, criteria and recommendation requirements for each award. The committee can include advising directors, assistant directors and senior advisors.
Subcommittee members
- Jessica Parker
Committee Chair - Diana Blouin
- Dillon Dolby
- Jessica Parker
- Melinda Lockett
- Colleen Stano
- Tammi Smith