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Member Spotlight | September 2025
The MIACADA Member Spotlight showcases exceptional individuals who make a significant impact on the advising profession and our organization. Each feature highlights a member whose dedication and contributions inspire us all. Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements and commitment to advising. Know someone who should be recognized? Let us know! Nominate them today!
This month we are spotlighting Regan Kania, Senior Academic Specialist and Advisor in the College of Social Sciences at Michigan State University!
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What has your career path been like up to this point?
After my Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State, I went to work for a large retail corporation, and decided that although there were parts of the job I liked, including hiring and training workers and customer service, this was not going to be my future, so I returned to school get my Master’s degree at Michigan State, and while working as a graduate teaching assistant for several courses, I decided that I liked meeting one on one with students in my office and sharing advice on courses to take and planning for careers, at which point I discovered that there was a job at the University where I could do this every day, working as an Academic Advisor. I began in a part-time advising position, and later found a full-time position, and have been working as an advisor ever since. Currently, I work in the College of Social Science at Michigan State with a dual appointment in the Sociology Department and the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science.What brings you joy outside of work?
My family, and my hobby of playing tennis, coaching tennis and working as a certified tennis umpire.Could you tell us more about the time you’ve spent there advising?
I had a couple of different positions as an advisor, before moving into administration, but I missed the work I did with students, so I moved back into an advising role where I have remained ever since. There is nothing like the feeling of helping a student succeed and graduate and move on to a good job, whether the student was a high achiever (Honors College level) or someone who was lost and not doing well in school, but being able to help both types of students find the best fit major for their interests and skills and helping them move on to a career or graduate program. Also, it has been great to work and collaborate with other outstanding advisors, who, just like me, enjoy helping our students to be successful. Furthermore, I like being an unofficial mentor to many newer advisors entering the profession.What stands out to you the most about your experiences with MIACADA so far?
I was an attendee at the first MIACADA conference held at Michigan State and have attended a majority of the conferences held since then. My biggest take away is that I have benefited from seeing what is happening at other Colleges and Universities and comparing it to how work is being done at Michigan State. I try to incorporate things I have learned at the state conferences into my daily work, as there are some best practices at other places worth using in my job. I will also mention that I was elected to serve MIACADA as a Member at Large several years ago which gave me a chance to meet and work with advisors outside of MSU for the first time on a different level, where we all had similar goals of helping each advisor in our group to be the best they could be at their jobs. I appreciate all the friendships I have made through my involvement in MIACADA both from inside and outside of MSU.What advice would you give to new advising professionals entering the field?
Try to stay active and current with things that are constantly changing, whether it be the students we serve, the schools we work for, the people you report to, or the political climate, or your own personal and professional goals. Academic Advising is an exciting career to be a part of and can bring great personal and professional rewards!
Member Award Winners
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