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Member Spotlight | February 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 Andrew Murray and Liz Springer, the co-chairs of the 2025 MIACADA Conference, representing Michigan State University!

 

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

Andrew: I completed undergrad at Michigan State University (MSU) and changed my major two or three times but left with the goal to be a high school English teacher. I did that for a year before deciding to go a different direction because I knew I wanted to be an educator, but I wasn’t sure the classroom was the right place for me.

I came back to MSU and did the Student Affairs Administration master’s program. My first job was in advising at the Honors College which I started before graduating. I have since gone on to the Department of English to Director of Advising in the College of Arts & Letters to where I am now. I have been advising in the Department of Psychology for just over two years. I am coming up on 12 years as an advisor (all at MSU).

Liz: I am an Academic Advisor for Kinesiology in the College of Education. I have been here over five years and previously worked in housing at Albion College and Jackson College. This is both my first role at MSU and my first full time role in advising!

I did a bit of advising in graduate school. I earned my master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University.

What brings you joy outside of work?

Andrew: So much of what I do revolves around my kids. I have an eight-year-old, a six-year-old, and an eighteen-month-old. I have been discovering life through the eyes of a small human being and how they enjoy holidays and birthdays.

The Detroit Lions have also brought me so much joy lately (edit: bummed out now, but still optimistic for next year!). They are bringing joy to Michiganders that has not been experienced since 1934! I love passing down that fandom to my kids.

Liz: My husband and I have a small hobby farm with 32 chickens. I also sell cut flowers. We have a stand every summer. During the cold dark months of winter, I am planning my flowers and my summer hobbies.

What are your individual roles within planning the 2024 Annual Conference and how did you decide to host?

Andrew: Liz and I worked on the presentation evaluation committee for Region 5 at the 2023 NACADA conference in Ontario. We had the idea to host at MSU while at NACADA. We both put together a proposal letter for our undergraduate education unit and scoped out sites on our campus.

What was serendipitous was that it didn’t come together in 2024 as the conference was at Northern Michigan University. In 2025, however, we were able to combine the conference with the 20th anniversary of MIACADA’s founding. MIACADA was founded at MSU and we highlighted that in our proposal.

Liz: That plays into our theme which is Past, Present, and Future. Coming back to MSU brings MIACADA full circle.

We have a large committee of 31 volunteers with subcommittees based on interests and areas of strength. Andrew has done lots of writing and making asks of sponsorships. I have met with the mentoring committee and have been planning check-in.

What are a few goals that you have for the conference?

Liz: I am hoping that it is a great turnout (maybe even record breaking) as this is a central location and it is our 20th anniversary. I want people to come, to enjoy it, and to engage.

Andrew: We are at a critical juncture of what academic advising looks like at colleges and universities. We have an interesting mix of folks who have come to this work through graduate training in student affairs as well as folks who have done great work for a long time but without the formal education, but now because of the pandemic and turnover at universities there is an influx of new folks coming into the field.

I want to have a lot of attendees, but I also want to be sure we offer the opportunity to build community. I’d like to establish mentoring and be of service to our new folks as much as our seasoned folks. We want to create a positive environment where people leave with connections they can lean on as they go into their everyday work and into their careers. That is how MIACADA makes advising strong.

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

Liz: This is probably my highlight since I am newer and have not been as involved as Andrew. The highlight has been seeing the inner workings. I have been able to attend committee and board meetings and be more in the loop.

I have met with colleagues at Lansing Community College who are volunteering on the committee in partnership. I have also met colleagues on my own campus and made better connections.

It feels extra special to be doing this on the 20th anniversary of MIACADA and I am appreciative to have been a part of it.

Andrew: It was great to be elected to and get to serve as a Member-At-Large. I’m proud of the work that has been done to establish the Taste of MIACADA networking event. I love the relationships I can establish with other advisors and that event was a way to reintroduce in-person experiences and building community. 

This experience is also currently a highlight but ask us again on May 10th!

What would you say to someone who is considering coming to a MIACADA conference for their first time?

Liz: It is a great way to connect with advisors across the state who have similar experiences. They can share in similar challenges you might be facing. It is a time to collaborate on ideas, resolutions, and brainstorming.

Andrew: It is a one-day commitment for immeasurable professional impact. Ask, “who am I now and who would I be later based on this experience?” You can’t measure or track that. I can say that so much of my growth has been because of the experiences I have had at these yearly conferences.

Liz: I would absolutely agree. One of my co-workers got connected with Maya Calloway Richardson through the mentoring program and met at the conference two years ago. That would not have happened without the annual conference and now they have that mentoring relationship for years to come. You can’t put a price tag or value on that. There is untold potential



Member Award Winners


Margaret MacKeverican, Academic Advisor at Wayne State University, has been awarded the 2024 MIACADA Academic Advising Award - Primary Role! Her dedication and commitment to student success have earned her this recognition. Congratulations to Margaret on this well-deserved honor!

MIACADA Advising Awards Information


Philip Himebaugh, an Academic Advisor from Ferris State University, has been awarded the title of "Best in State" at the 2024 MIACADA Annual Conference! Philip's captivating presentation, "Motivational Interviewing for Academic Advisors," not only caught the eye of attendees but also earned him this recognition. Despite it being his first MIACADA Annual Conference, Philip's expertise and delivery left a lasting impression on attendees!

 

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