As of spring 2025, advisors Betsy Parker and Maddy Saunders marked a significant milestone as the first incumbents to advance to “senior academic advisor” in the last three years.
Supported and reviewed by the Academic Advisor Development Program (AADP) committee, the program is a promotion structure that generally opens in October. It strives to assist long-term advisors in getting recognized for their work on campus and with students. A similar program exists for advisors in the university’s career sector.
Application requirements are notably rigorous and include department support of applicants pursuing the position, at least three years of tenure, and submission of extensive documentation to demonstrate proficiency in at least 80 percent of the required learning outcomes.
Once the AADP committee confirms that an applicant meets all requirements, it sends an invitation for the submission of a packet of discretionary materials based off the academic and career advising framework.
Tradara McLaurine, senior executive director of Campus Career and Advising Services and AADP committee member, praised the program’s simultaneous strength in its ability to celebrate hard work and strengthen retention rates.
I believe this is a great retention program for advisors because it allows for them to receive recognition when it comes to the title and compensation,” McLaurine said. “And they don't have to leave to get that."
Behind the impact
Betsy Parker, an advisor at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, dove into her calling as an advisor at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (now O’Neill) after graduating in 2005 with a master’s in higher education. Her tenure extended two years before she began advising at other universities, finally returning to IU Indianapolis (then IUPUI) in 2017.
In total, Parker’s final submitted application was 159 pages long, including 10 letters of recommendations from students and supervisors and a score of documentation reaffirming her professional scope.
Parker emphasized the importance of self-persistence in order to excel in the application process.
“You kind of have to decide you want to do it because it’s a pretty intensive process,” Parker said.
As an advisor, Parker finds tranquility in serving as a prime resource for students during their transition to campus life and as they navigate their academic journey.
“I like being one of the first people they meet on campus that can help to create that sense of belonging, that sense of community here,” Parker said.
Maddy Saunders, who primarily advises exploratory students in University College, has been at IU Indianapolis for almost four years and maintains an enthusiastic drive in her position.
She noted the dynamic approaches and the feeling of accomplishment that come with helping each student select their major.
“I’ve gotten to be a small part of that [students’ undergraduate journey], and I just really enjoy getting to work with all the different types of students,” Saunders said. “It’s never the same job any two days in a row.”
During her time as an advisor, Saunders has aided students in maneuvering their academic goals while utilizing her knowledge as a prior exploratory student to present at conferences on the experiences and makeup of the group.
“I was an exploratory student for two years, so I have a huge passion for these students,” Saunders said. “I hope to continue the new habits I’ve developed while going through this process to help students on their journeys."
Saunders’ and Parkers’ efforts are exemplary testaments to Indiana University’s efforts in forging student outcomes of success and opportunity through holistic support and proactive advising. In alignment with the IU 2030 Strategic Plan, such priorities encompass:
- Improving undergraduate academic advising
- Increasing retention of priority populations
- Removing barriers to student wellbeing
- Improving the academic experience for undergraduate students
- Improving student experiences with career development
A continual effort for collective campus excellence
As Saunders and Parker move forward with their new titles, both aim to support students at a higher capacity and serve as a beacon of opportunity among other advisors.
“I hope it encourages other advisors in my office and across campus who are incredible, wonderful advisors to go for this promotion and get recognized for the incredible and hard work they put in every day,” Saunders said.
Parker, who views the promotion as a strong push of encouragement, also expressed her gratitude for such initiatives.
“There are people at this university on all sides—administration, students—who you know really support the work we’re doing,” Parker said.
For more information, contact the Division of Undergraduate Education Office of Communications at duecomm@iu.edu.