Meet the Advisors of the Year 2020
Mary Chuinard Head Advisor & Director of Undergraduate Student Services Oregon State University - College of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences |
Mary started working in higher ed at Linn-Benton Community College in 2008 and then started her Oregon State University advising journey in 2011. When she isn’t busy working with her wonderful students, advising team, and faculty, she enjoys being active and in community. This includes rowing, playing soccer, hiking, and social gatherings with her husband, son, puppy, and friends. |
Autumn Granger Academic and Prospective Student Advisor Oregon State University - College of Forestry |
Autumn has been with Oregon State for about nine and a half years, 6 of those with the College of Forestry. Autumn has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and a MS in Counseling from Oregon State University. Prior to working at Oregon State, Autumn worked for TRIO/SSS at Linn Benton Community College. As a first generation college student herself, Autumn understands the importance of having someone to connect to—to help guide you--which is why she enjoys advising. Autumn also loves the growth that college brings and enjoys the challenges of helping students navigate it all….most of the time. When not at work, Autumn is a parent to 2 high schoolers, 3 cats and 2 birds. Autumn also loves to spend time on the water kayaking with her family - although her partner is currently deployed overseas with the military.
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McKenzie Huber NATURAL RESOURCE ADVISOR Oregon State University - College of Forestry |
McKenzie has her Ed.M. in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University and has dedicated her career to Academic Advising. McKenzie pursued her Master’s degree to become an Academic Advisor after realizing helping others in support of their educational goals was her passion. She attributes her interest in this career field to her undergrad program advisor and recognizes that she wouldn’t have persisted in her college degree without that support. As an advisor to students from a diverse background, McKenzie’s focus on student success involves meeting students where they are at and tailoring her services to their individual needs. She supports students through a holistic developmental approach and utilizes various student development theories in her practice. In addition to supporting her students, McKenzie is also very involved in the greater OSU community. She is a senator for the College of Forestry at Faculty Senate and was elected by the university to represent OSU at the state level of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate. She is also very involved in the Baccalaureate Core Committee as a co-chair and uses her lens as an Advisor to advocate for the student experience and curricular design. In her free time, McKenzie enjoys spending time with her family, chasing her toddler around, hiking in the college forest, practicing yoga and is getting ready to welcome her second daughter to the family.
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Brenda Williams High School Connections student Advisor 2 - lead Lane Community College |
In college, Brenda was a cashier in the University of Oregon's Business Office. That desk was a catch all and she quickly learned a lot about the inner workings of the college world. Brenda realized that she liked talking to students and their families and it just felt good. Instead of pursuing marketing internships, she started applying to colleges and universities around Oregon. She was hired in the Financial Aid Office at Central Oregon Community College 2 weeks before graduation. After a year at that job, she went to OIT for 2 years as an Admissions Counselor.
Brenda then decided to attend graduate school through OSU’s Adult Education hybrid program and worked part-time in Lane’s Advising department. She continued to work part-time for 5 years while raising 2 young girls. Once the High School Connection Advisor/Faculty job opened up at Lane, she knew she couldn’t pass up a dream job. It fit all her skills. Brenda love's answering students’ questions and being their support person as they transition into college. Interacting with staff on special projects and helping high school counselors/transition specialists is another enjoyable part of Brenda's job. She feels so lucky to work with an amazing boss and supportive staff throughout the college to help the students. |