The title of an academic human resource on campus changed over the summer in the hope of making students more aware of the support available at Binghamton University.
The position name was changed to Discovery Adviser from Discovery Assistant to better reflect the role of the student employees.
“The rationale behind the change was predicated on the fact that DAs truly are paraprofessional academic advisers,” Scott Bennett, assistant director/coordinator of Discovery Advisers, said.
DA for College-in-the-Wood’s Onondaga Hall Lili Wang said she thought the change would help students to include DAs in their pool of academic advising options at BU.
“It’s so that we could reach out to students more easily,” Wang said. “Changing the title helps students become more aware that we’re out there.”
For students who need help with class registration, academic advice and other related questions, in most cases the answers are just a floor away.
DAs are “peer academic advisers who serve as the first step in providing students with academic support and career planning,” Bennett said.
The position was created eight years ago under the direction of the Provost’s office.
According to Bennett, the DA job was developed to provide students with easy access to a trained peer academic adviser who could offer initial advice with respect to career-related questions and concerns.
The advising DAs also help students avoid taking a potentially large amount of time out of their schedule to wait for advising in other offices across campus.
“When students met with a DA with plans to ultimately see an academic adviser, they were sure to be much more prepared than those students who did not seek their assistance,” Bennett said.
The DA position has grown and become an “integral piece of the fabric that makes up the collegiate structure here at Binghamton University,” he added.
“The Discovery program seeks to help students academically and prepare them for a transition into and throughout their college experience,” Bennett said.
The student advisers assist peers in course selection and scheduling. They also work closely with advising, counseling services and Residential Life staff to help students connect with the BU community.
“When advising students, I make sure they know there are no dumb questions,” Benjamin Repak, a DA in Dickinson Community’s Johnson Hall said. “There is no shame in asking for help. That is why I am here. We all have specific office hours and are eager to help everyone.”
Repak said that the program works to give students easier access to several of its core services, including Discovery Centers, first-year experience classes, learning communities, and service learning and tutoring.
Bennett said the DA position is a win/win situation for both parties involved. Students receive a critical connection, helpful advice and invaluable resources. The DAs garner the reward of helping a peer, while enhancing their interpersonal skills.
“I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment whenever I am able to successfully advise a student,” Repak said.
Anyone interested in becoming a DA for the 2009-10 school year should attend one of the upcoming mandatory information sessions: Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in Lecture Hall 10 and Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in Lecture Hall 8.
“I also want to point out the value of this position, particularly if you are interested in going into the field of counseling, education, psychology or social work.” Bennett said. “You will develop skill sets and experience that will provide a strong foundation.”