This month we are spotlighting Ana Abendschein, Academic & Career Pathway Advisor from Kalamazoo Valley Community College!

What has your career path been like up to this point?

I began working in higher education in 2007, following the completion of my master's degree in counseling. I have had the opportunity to explore various facets of education, including admissions, research, and teaching. In 2015, I accepted a position as an advisor in adult education at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. That was a pivotal moment in my career, and I realized that my role as an advisor allowed me to integrate much of my experience into a single, cohesive career path. I transitioned to Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 2018, where I work as an academic advisor.

What brings you joy outside of work?

I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and spending time outdoors.

Your nominator mentioned you work with the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP). Can you tell us more about that?

The Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associates Program (KVAAP) is a last-dollar scholarship program that began in 2018. Through this privately funded initiative, we provide tuition, course fees, textbooks, and other required materials. We employ a holistic advising approach and offer regular enrichment programming (e.g., weekly seminars, access to experts in various fields, and frequent contact with our advising staff) to support our students throughout their time in our program. Students who meet our program expectations (e.g., weekly check-ins with their advisor, attendance at seminars, etc.) also receive a monthly stipend. Through our programming, we have observed a notable increase in the graduation rate among our students.

Your nominator mentioned that you presented at the 2024 MIACADA conference on KVAAP and best/helpful practices in advising, can you elaborate on that presentation/experience?

Presenting at the MIACADA conference in 2024 was a rewarding experience. I collaborated with my colleague, Apryl Scheffler-Martin, to share some of the exciting experiences we've had as we work to determine and employ best practices in academic advising. We appreciated the opportunity to share resources, actively engage with others, and receive meaningful feedback from our peers.

What has been the highlight of your experience with MIACADA so far? 

Joining MIACADA has been a wonderful opportunity to network and learn alongside other academic professionals from around Michigan. 

What advice would you give to new advising professionals entering the field?

My advice for new advisors is to find a mentor (this can be someone at their institution or another member of MIACADA), someone to guide them through the challenges of navigating the academic environment. Each advisor has a unique style and approach to engaging with students and presenting information. I recommend that new advisors take the time to find a style that is authentic to their own identity.