Lopinot brings student affairs experience to CAS advising
College of Arts and Sciences academic adviser Andrew Lopinot has always worked closely with student affairs before joining SIUE in July.
“I didn’t have specific advising experience, but I’m coming in having student affairs experience and knowing how to interact with students and parents,” Lopinot said. “Being able to balance the conversation between parents and students are key things that advisers need to be able to do.”
According to Lopinot, his interest in student affairs began with his time in housing at Southeast Missouri State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in arts and communications. Continuing his education, he earned a master’s degree in higher education administration and student personnel at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
Before joining SIUE, Lopinot worked within student apartment setting at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California.
“What academic advisers did in other campuses really sparked my interest,” Lopinot said. “They were very active, putting the puzzle together, helping students, and having that daily interaction.”
According to Lopinot, advisers need to be able to observe anything the student might need that they are not directly saying and “find out what works for them in their career goals.”
“I may have a student that I have a concern for that I need to follow up a little more closely than other students,” Lopinot said.
Lopinot said he has always enjoyed working with students in order to help them make better choices.
“I enjoy helping them set their path and figure out what they need to do,” Lopinot said. “I really like the one-on-one interaction I have with students, helping and educating them outside of the classroom.”
Lopinot advises social sciences students and said it can get “very stressful” for them when scheduling classes and trying to graduate in a timely manner.
He added that he often tells students that graduating on time is something that can be accomplished.
Filed Under: General CAS Stories