Associate Dean,
Academic and Student Affairs
In my current role: I have the great privilege to work with a team of kind, smart, equity-minded people to support the success of our college’s 3,000 students, from undergraduate freshmen to those finishing a doctorate, in programs that prepare them to lead in education and health. We also are committed to continuous improvement, innovating in what we do and how we do it. My portfolio includes academic affairs, graduate student affairs, and cross-college programs (all of which I lead or oversee), undergraduate student affairs, and the college’s new and growing data analytics team.
Ask me about: Academic programs, graduate student fellowships, curricular innovation, or our Educator Preparation Program. Also: education law.
In the past: I’ve been a practicing lawyer, a graduate student, a professional student, and a scholar (fortunately, this role allows me to continue to be a dedicated and productive education law scholar).
What I love most about my work: Seeing people thrive, whether students, colleagues, or alumni.
Director, Educator Preparation & Accreditation
In my current role: I have the great privilege to work with people within MSU’s College of Education and throughout the university and to collaborate with educational, industry, and government leaders in the State of Michigan and beyond for the purpose of continuous improvement. We want all at MSU to thrive, while here and as leaders after they graduate. My work involves creating and supporting a collaborative, interconnected, data-driven inquiry process that is inclusive and iterative, with significant, measurable, and known achievement in the direction of our goals to further our mission, vision, and impact as we inspire tomorrow’s accomplishments. My work spans across initial and advanced levels and also includes building systems, strategic planning, co-chairing the Teacher Education Council, adjudicating issues, negotiating and implementing policy, and annual reporting.
Ask me about: How and why we use strategic planning and continuous improvement to advance our impact and forward innovation, equity, and audacious achievement. Also: pK-12 Education and Leadership.
In the past: I’ve been a teacher, adjunct instructor; assistant, elementary, and high school principal; MASSP Board Member; Gerstacker Fellow, Director of Partnerships & Initiatives; and Director of Elementary Education.
What I love most about my work: Seeing people thrive, individually and collectively, for the betterment of themselves and others.
View Lara’s CV.
Director, Undergraduate Student Affairs
In my current role: I am responsible for functions related to undergraduate student recruitment, orientation, admissions, advising, degree certification, internship clearance, academic records, college colloquium, and commencement. I am also responsible for administering university policies related to enrollment (e.g., adding/dropping courses, late drops, medical withdrawals, repeat credits), grading, academic dishonesty, academic standing (e.g., probation, recess, dismissal), financial aid (SAP) appeals, reinstatement, readmission, and the dean’s list.
Ask me about: Anything undergraduate advising related.
In the past: I have been with MSU for some time now. I have been and academic advisor, assistant director, and now the director of advising in the College of Education. Before MSU I worked in orientation and academic advising.
What I love most about my current role: The people. I love working with the students and my colleagues
Assistant Director,
Student Affairs – Kinesiology
In my current role: I am responsible for advising undergraduate students pursuing the kinesiology degree. I am also responsible for the degree clearance process and conferral of the undergraduate kinesiology degree and kinesiology department minors. I assist with department responsibilities for annual New Student Orientation, including development of presentation and materials, advising, and I assist in enrollment for incoming freshman, transfer and international students. Lastly, I also assists in undergraduate commencement, and colloquium.
Ask me about: Anything related to undergraduate Kinesiology studies.
In the past: I worked at a community college for over 10 years, assisting students with admissions, graduation, advising both domestic and international students, financial aid, and assisting students in the transfer process to their four year university. I also worked closely with student athletes and oversaw the honors program.
What I love most about my current role: I love the diversity in career options for students pursuing kinesiology. I love helping students figure out the puzzle of correct classes to take to pursue graduate school and equally enjoy hearing what they are doing with their kinesiology degree post-graduation.
Assistant Director,
Graduate Student Affairs
In my current role: As an Academic Advisor, I work with prospective students, help applicants navigate the admission process, provide guidance for current students with orientation, creating academic plans, interpreting academic policy, and successfully completing the program. As the Assistant Director for Graduate Student Affairs I administer academic policy related to extensions, readmission, degree conferrals, and work with students, faculty and staff to provide comprehensive support relating to student affairs for graduate students.
Ask me about: the Master of Arts in Education or anything related to College and University policy.
In the past: I’ve worked as an Academic Service Learning Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator, and Director of Academic Advisement at various universities.
What I love most about my current role: Connecting with students, faculty, and staff to help them achieve their academic and professional goals.
Coordinator, Academic and Graduate Student Affairs
In my current role: I coordinate projects and work associated with graduate scholarships and fellowships, college admissions and college degree conferral. I’m also assistant to Associate Dean Kristine Bowman.
Ask me about: Graduate Student fellowship opportunities and eligibility; college-level processes regarding admissions, degree conferral, etc; setting up meetings with Dr. Bowman.
In the past: I have held many project management/coordinator roles in various fields: higher education, workforce development, financial institutions, and interior design/furniture procurement.
What I love most about my current role: I love sharing a passion for student success with other colleagues.
Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Academic Student Affairs
In my current role:
I wear multiple hats to ensure the success of our master’s degree programs and support our graduate students:
– Spearhead marketing initiatives for the College of Education’s master’s degrees, developing targeted campaigns to attract high-quality candidates
– Manage the Grad Link newsletter, keeping students informed about important deadlines, events, and opportunities
– Act as the Slate college champion, offering crucial support to the admissions team and streamlining our application and enrollment processes
Coordinate and host virtual open houses, showcasing our programs to prospective students and answering their questions
Ask me about:
Strategic marketing for online master’s degree programs, graduate student communication and engagement, Slate support, virtual open house planning and execution
In the past:
I joined MSU as a communicator for University Advancement in 2018. Before that, I have worked as a high school English teacher, a K-8 curriculum developer and a CRM training developer.
What I love most about my current role:
It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work supports the professional growth of teachers and administrators, which in turn enhances the quality of education in classrooms across the country.