Academic advisors step out to meet students at ‘pop-up’ event
College of Agriculture and Life Science advisors available where and when it matters
Academic advisors are typically found in their offices, ready to assist students with questions and guidance. But on March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences advisors will step outside and meet students walking by on campus.
This “pop-up advising” event brings academic support directly to students, offering a casual, approachable environment to ask questions about registration, deadlines and more.
Advisors will be stationed near the Agriculture and Life Sciences Building, the West Campus Dining Facility and the Kleberg Animal and Food Sciences Center, ready to help students before preregistration and other important academic deadlines.
With snacks available and QR codes on hand for easy appointment scheduling, this event aims to reduce barriers to advising and help students feel more comfortable seeking assistance.
How did pop-up advising start?
The idea for pop-up advising came from the creative thinking of advisors like Hannah Chavarria, academic advisor III for the College, who began outdoor advising during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We noticed that meeting students outside the office changed the dynamic,” Chavarria said. “It helped reduce the fear and intimidation that many students feel when approaching an advisor.”
Inspired by this success, Chavarria and Melyssa-Anne Stricklin, senior academic advisor for the College, decided to take advising outside the traditional office space and engage with students in high-traffic campus areas.
In October 2023, the Agriculture and Life Sciences Advising Hub hosted the first pop-up advising event. Last fall, this initiative evolved into a College-wide event. In just a few hours, advisors assisted more than 550 students.
“Pop-up advising is a game-changer because it makes students feel more comfortable approaching us for advice, rather than waiting until there’s a big problem,” Stricklin said.
Pop-up advising is just one example of the College’s advisors’ commitment to thinking outside of the box. Recognized last year with several prestigious awards, the College’s advisors are continuously finding ways to serve students in new, impactful ways.
The next pop-up advising event is a chance for any student to get the academic support they need in a low-pressure, approachable environment. Learn more about the March 19 pop-up advising event and add it to your calendar here.
