The Marilyn Davies College of Business Welcomes New Director of Academic Advising Erica Ogburn

The Marilyn Davies College of Business welcomes Erica Ogburn as the new Director of Academic Advising. Erica's enthusiasm for the academic advising profession and her innovative ideas will help shape the future of student success at the Marilyn Davies College of Business. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the academic advising process and how to meet their academic goals. Meet her and learn about her role.

1.  Can you give us a brief discussion of your professional background?
   
   I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. I have had the opportunity to serve in higher education for a total of 8 years now. I think that it is extremely important to share that I am a first-generation college student. I started at a local community college, back home, where I earned my associate degree. Then I went on to the University of Michigan-Flint, where I finished my bachelor's degree in public administration. After receiving my bachelor’s, I immediately began a master’s program in Educational Leadership with a Concentration on Student Affairs. When I started at the community college, I learned that I wanted to assist and support other students in the ways that I was supported. I knew there was no undergraduate degree in Higher Education Student Affairs, so a master's degree was the next step. While pursuing my master's degree I served as a Graduate Assistant. This was my first semiprofessional role within higher education where I was able to support students, which confirmed my decision even more. I wanted to serve in higher ed, specifically working with students. From there, I finished my master’s degree and accepted a position at the University of Michigan Flint, my alma mater. I served as an academic advising and career counselor. During that time, I really learned my interest area, as it relates to advising even more. 
   
   Following that, I went back to my former community college, and I served as an Academic Success Specialist. I served in this role for 2 and a half years. After my time within the community college setting, for the first time, I served at an institution outside of one that served me educationally. At Louisiana Tech University, I served as a manager for a remote site, located on a community college campus. As a very small staff of 6, an hour away from our main campus, creative and innovation was important to ensuring students success.
   
   The best way to describe my professional viewpoint and work, is access. Access is extremely important, and in addition to access, ensuring tailored services to connect students to the resources that they need to be successful. I set my career goal up in 3 parts. The first goal was to serve as an academic advisor. I had the opportunity to do this. For the second goal, I wanted to serve as a director of advising, and so I finally hit that midpoint goal! And the last career goal is to serve as a vice president of student affairs.
   
   
2. With your new role, what are some of your goals?
   
   I came to UHD at a very critical time, and exciting time, as it relates to the institutional shifts and restructuring in advising, as well as university shift in taking a major focus on student success as a whole. Looking at the case management and advising approach, one of my top goals is to be effective in developing caseloads for our Academic Success Coordinators and supporting them in managing their caseload. Having the largest student population for undergraduate students I want my advisors to have the tools needed to interact and engage with their students in a meaningful way. Being able to support them through intentional professional development is important to me. To identify our strengths, where our weaknesses are, and bridging those gaps.
   
   My next goal is identifying our Academics Success Coordinator’s goals and career desires, to pour into them and provide opportunities for them to excel professionally and personally. I would say those are my current goals, as of today.
   
   
3. Can you tell us a fun fact?
   
   I guess a fun fact about me would be just last year I learned how to swim, and now I think I’m a mermaid. I had some time last year after I finished my doctoral degree, and you never realize how much time that takes away from you during the research and writing portion. So, when I finished, I was like, “What do I do now?” I examined my bucket list, and I decided to learn how to swim. I can’t wait until it warms up, so I can use my pool!