The office of Advising & New Student Experience is excited to share a new monthly initiative that will work to recognize and celebrate the outstanding work happening in Academic Advising at Saint Mary’s — the Advisor Monthly Spotlight! Each month, a new Advisor will be highlighted for their meaningful impact on student success through their dedication, creativity, and support. This is a chance to share stories, best practices, and celebrate the incredible work Advisors do every day. Please join me us in celebrating our first featured Advisor – Dr. Kevin Dennis!
Name: Dr. Kevin Dennis
Title: Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics, Chair (or Assistant Professor)
Year at SMU: 25
What do you find most fulfilling about being an advisor?
Seeing the growth academically in the students from first year to senior year. As they mature, students take more ownership of their academics – often finding interests not originally as they had planned.
What resources or approaches do you find most helpful as an advisor?
The main resource I use is my experiences with students, both past and present. When I meet with students, I listen. Often when a question arises, I have had a student with a similar situation. I can use this knowledge to guide students to their own solution to the question. I also use the course catalog, especially the Print Degree Planner option from the group of icons on the upper right side of the screen. This gives a quick visual aid to what courses are required to earn a major or minor.
What is a fun fact about you that students or colleagues might not know?
When I garden, I have a software program that maps out my garden. I then use a tape measure and string to precisely lay out my garden – including the spacing of plants and seeds.
What advice do you have for other Advisors on campus?
Get to know programs outside your department – you never know when a student may add interests away from your area!
Help Us Celebrate!
If you are a student or a colleague who would like to tap someone for their wonderful advising work on campus, we’d love to hear about them! To nominate an advisor, please email advising@smumn.edu with a short paragraph describing why you would like to nominate said individual and we will do the rest!
