Advising with Purpose: Emily Wiemers’ Commitment to Graduate Student Success
Emily Wiemers’ path through the University of Nebraska at Omaha is marked by curiosity, mentorship, and a strong commitment to student success. A proud UNO alumna, Wiemers earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English with a focus on British, Irish, and Anglophone literature. Her journey into higher education and academic advising developed gradually through hands-on experiences across the university.
“I am a life-long learner and enjoy the university environment,” Wiemers said. During her senior year as an undergraduate, she interned in the Dean’s Office in the College of Arts and Sciences, an opportunity that introduced her to academic advising firsthand. “I got to work with advisors and shadow them as they worked with students.”
As a graduate student, Wiemers continued to gain valuable insight into higher education administration while working in the English Department with Jill Sutton and Dustin Pendley. “I was able to see the administrative side of the university and worked with faculty on projects.” During her final two years of graduate coursework, she served as a graduate assistant, teaching Composition I and II and working in the Writing Center. Reflecting on those experiences, Wiemers said, “I knew I wanted to work in higher education and help other students reach their academic and professional goals.”
Mentorship played a central role in shaping Wiemers’s academic and professional development. Her academic advisor, Dr. Lisabeth Buchelt, had a particularly strong influence. “She guided me through my studies and academic requirements,” Wiemers shared. “I took almost all of her classes and traveled to Ireland with her study abroad course.” Dr. Buchelt’s encouragement left a lasting impact: “Her support of my goals inspired me to become an academic advisor and help other students in the same way.”
Wiemers also credits Dr. Maggie Christensen as a key mentor during graduate school. “She was my professor and supervisor for my TA position,” Wiemers said. “She saw me through successes and challenges during my graduate coursework.”
Today, Wiemers serves as an Academic Advisor in Graduate Advising for the College of Information Science & Technology at UNO. Her role is dynamic and student focused. “My typical day consists of meeting with current and prospective students, answering emails, and attending meetings with faculty and staff in the college,” she explained. “As an advisor every day is different as we are working with students, other advisors, departments across campus, and faculty.” In addition to advising, Wiemers serves on program committees to provide an advising perspective on curriculum development and teaches CIST 1010 for first-year students during the fall semester.
Working with graduate students is the most rewarding part of her role. “One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing students who don't have a background in IT pursue a master's degree, and upon graduation, they often say ‘I didn't think I could do this’,” Wiemers said. “I can see all the hard work and determination in those students, and to be able to celebrate those successes with them is priceless.” She also values supporting students over the long term. “Seeing students go from their first year of a master's degree all the way to a doctorate degree is also amazing.”
Wiemers acknowledges that advising comes with challenges, particularly when balancing multiple responsibilities. “Some of the challenges are balancing the multifaceted nature of an advisor's role,” she said. “We are often pulled in many different directions, so balancing priorities and having effective time management is essential.”
One of the most meaningful moments in Wiemers’s career involved supporting a student facing circumstances beyond their control. “I had a student who faced challenges that were outside of their control and was going to have to give up their degree,” she shared. Working alongside her supervisor, department chairs, and faculty, they were able to secure a graduate assistant position. As a result, “they were able to finish their coursework and conduct research with our faculty.”
For current UNO students considering graduate school, Wiemers emphasizes its long-term value. “Graduate school can be a great opportunity to advance your career pathway and seek higher-level positions,” she said. “It can allow to become an expert in your chosen field and set you apart from other applicants.”
Reflecting on her own career journey, Wiemers offered advice she wishes she had followed earlier. “Find mentors who can help guide you,” she said. “Starting a career has a lot of unknowns, and you don't have to do it alone.” She also highlighted the importance of community and self-compassion. “Imposter syndrome is real, and if you don't think others have felt it, that is not true.”
Looking ahead, Wiemers sees academic advising continuing to evolve as graduate education grows. “Graduate school is challenging, and I believe there needs to be even more emphasis on student support,” she explained. She also noted increased collaboration across advising roles: “I think that we are also seeing collaboration between undergraduate and graduate advisors growing as students think long term about their academic goals.”
Wiemers is especially excited about initiatives within the College of Information Science & Technology’s Graduate Learning Community. “Our graduate advising team hosts events, webinars, and information sessions about academic and professional development opportunities.”
Outside of advising, Wiemers enjoys cooking and baking, and one of her favorite comfort shows is The Great British Bake Off. She and her husband also enjoy traveling and seeking out local restaurants and cuisines.
If she could offer one piece of wisdom to every college student, Wiemers said this: “Think about the future you want to see for yourself and envision what steps you will need to take to reach it. Start small but don't be afraid to take the first step.”
