Alumni Spotlight: Emily Wiemers

English department UNO – In May of 2018, Emily Wiemers graduated with a Master of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Directly after graduating, she accepted a position at Bellevue University as a Student Coach/Academic Advisor in their Undergraduate Academic Advising Department. As a Student Coach, she assists students by developing degree plans, tracking their progress as they complete their academic goals, and supporting them from their first class until they walk across the stage at Commencement. Her interest in academic advising started when she took the internship class during her senior year of undergraduate coursework.

This internship was in the Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences. It allowed her the opportunity to shadow multiple academic advisors and to learn the importance of advising, detailed organization, and professionalism when working at a university. This internship combined with her own experience of having respected advisors in the Department of English pushed her to pursue a career in higher education. She remembers having several fantastic advisors in the English Department who helped her during the tough semesters and cheered her on during accomplishments. Specifically, Dr. Lisabeth Buchelt advised her through both her undergraduate and graduate coursework and helped her develop critical thinking skills, writing abilities, and research techniques. Dr. Buchelt had a major influence on her research, and Wiemers will pass on these lessons to future students.

Another experience that expanded her interest in higher education was her Graduate Teaching Assistantship. As a TA, she was able to craft her lessons so as to encourage participation in multiple ways, guide students through the recursive process of writing, and assist them in creating effective argumentative essays. Her teaching experience enhanced her dedication to advising students as they pursued areas of interest in their writing. During her time as a TA, Dr. Maggie Christensen advised Wiemers through the new adventure of teaching, and Wiemers says that she grew as a teacher under her guidance.

Wiemers believes that all of her experiences in the English Department at UNO had a profound impact on her as a student, scholar, and now academic advisor. She feels that she can now use the skills and techniques that she gained as an English major to assist students in their academic journey.