Darcy Allen and Austin Glidden are academic advisors on the West Lafayette campus of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, and Danny King and Kate Winton are academic advisors on the Indianapolis campus.

“As an academic advisor, my job is to help students maneuver through their college career by helping be successful in their coursework and help them get the other experiences they want while in college,” said King, who has a background in mechanical engineering along with higher education and student affairs.

Each advisor in the advising team has their own advising philosophy. In general, their philosophies are student-centered and welcoming.

“As a member of the advising community, my primary goal is to offer tailored academic and professional support that aligns with each student’s unique needs, goals and interests. I strive to create an environment of respect and open communication, allowing me to understand each student holistically and assist them in achieving their short-term and long-term goals,” explained Allen, a two-time Purdue graduate who has a professional background in social work and education. “Inclusivity is a cornerstone of my advising philosophy, as I work to support the diverse campus population. Building strong relationships with students is crucial, as it helps me guide them toward the specific opportunities that brought them to Purdue.”

The academic advisors enjoy working with students, especially Winton, who attended Purdue as an undergraduate student and Boston University as a graduate student.

“College is such an exciting part of students' lives. There is so much energy, new learning, and development occurring, and I really enjoy being a part of that,” said Winton. “I find it very fulfilling being a part of a student's college experience and a positive, supportive person they can count on.”

The advisors have plenty of advice for students. Glidden, who has a telecommunication background, explained that enhancing communication skills is the best advice for students.

“Make sure you are keeping your advisor in the loop on what you have going on,” Glidden explained. “I find it is in the lack of communication where I find the most problems that students face. Whether it is a lack of communication with me or with a faculty member they are working with, always communicate. Your life will be a whole lot better.”