Jennifer Wright and Margarita Vara
Jennifer Wright, Odgen Utah, Weber State University
Tell us about yourself and what your academic advising role is and what institution you work for:
‘I have worked at Weber State University, in Ogden, Utah, for eleven years. I started my career in Financial Aid and then moved to advisement where I have enjoyed advising students for eight years. Since I received my undergraduate degree from WSU, I feel I have a unique perspective when mentoring, assisting, and advising my students.”
How did the Academic Advising program help you?
The techniques, theory, and practical application I gained from completing course work in this program have empowered me to become a better advisor. I am able to offer my students a much more enriching experience through the knowledge gained through textbooks, peers, and faculty.
Margarita Vara, Roy Utah, Weber State University
Tell us about yourself and what your academic advising role is and what institution you work for:
“My name is Margarita Vara and Texas is my home state where I met and married my husband 20 years ago. My husband George is in the Air Force and we have traveled and lived in many places. I have two wonderful children, Miguelangel, who is 10 years old, and Stefano Daniel is 6 years old. Prior to coming to Utah, I worked for several different universities who have a presence at military installations. Currently my husband is stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and we have lived here for four years. I am a Senior Academic Advisor in the Student Success Center at Weber State University located in Ogden, Utah. I am part of a team of advisors that advise our general studies population of students. In addition, we also manage programs that assist academically-at-risk students succeed at our institution.”
How did the Academic Advising program help you?
“I feel it is critical that advisors stay up-to-date on research and information that can help us learn more about our current student populations so we can assist our students as best as possible. I am really enjoying this program because the information I am learning is relevant and often I am able to apply what I learn right away in my student advising appointments.”
Kansas State University Academic Advising Graduate Programs 