Page 16 - ASC Highlights

16

Interview with the AA

Academic Advisor

Our academic advisors are instrumental in coordinating communications between faculty,
students and tutors.

1. What is your academic background?

I am an Abu Dhabi University product through and through as I graduated from Abu Dhabi
University, where I majored in Business Administration and minored in Finance.
2. As an academic advisor, inspiration is important. Who has inspired you and why?

I never thought I would be working as an academic advisor, as advising is not a major, you
decide to study in when you are in college. I was lucky enough to see the ASC in action and watch
real-time how many of my peers were able to develop their skills and improve exponentially.
Seeing that, I knew that I wanted to be part of this educational eco-system where I too could
Israa Hussein contribute in ways that would help students achieve success. It really is a wonderful feeling to
Academic Advisor see them succeed with your help.
(AA Campus)
3. Explain your approach to counseling individuals to help them understand and
overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational
situations.

As an advisor, it is critical to always remember that advising is a form of teaching. An advisor
must not be afraid to help students and work towards creating teachable moments. It is in those
moments that an advisor can help students grow and develop. I believe that communication
has the power of building a bond between people. I believe in connecting with the students as
it really helps me assist them with their problems and difficulties. .

4. Describe an experience in which you identified the educational needs of the
students who approached you and successfully developed a way to guide them.

It is hard to mention a single situation; overall, I had wonderful experiences over the past five
years working at ADU. A single session cannot measure it as every student has a challenging
story, and together we have to make it successful, as it is not an option not to. Advising is not
limited to educational and academic needs only. At the end, their overall success is the key and
their self-satisfaction about their achievement is the most rewarding appreciation.

5. How do you ensure that students achieve their goals? How do you track their
progress?

I always strive to help our students’ lives and experiences to ensure they are smooth and
fulfilling. However, being students, they have several things on their plate, and so I make sure
to check on them regularly to ensure that they are not overwhelmed. I establish with them in
advance their preferred modes of communication either via, texts, calling, e-mail etc. This way
I track them on their terms and the regularity of it helps me ensure that I am able to help them
when they have problems.

Abu Dhabi University | Academic Success Center Highlights Fall 2020