Interview conducted by Dr. Tommy Jackson, director of Advising for University College.

 

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Jackson: Hey Teresa!  Thank you for you willingness to do this interview; you are officially in the UC spotlight. Let’s begin by having you tell us about your experience with KSU.
 

​Dize: I started as an administrative assistant in the Counseling, Advising, & Placement Services here at KSU as the front desk presence.  I applied for the advisor position because it paid more money, ha-ha!  Additionally, you needed a degree to get the job, and I had one, so I applied.  I saw that advising made students feel better, and I thought, “Wow, I’d like to do that for students!” I had applied before my six-month probationary period had ended, which caused a little stink, but it worked out, and here I am.  

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Jackson: What drew you to KSU originally? And how has KSU changed?

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​Dize: I moved from Raleigh, NC, and I figured there must be a great job here on campus.  I am an educator at heart, so I worked to get involved with KSU because I love helping students.  KSU has definitely gotten bigger since I’ve arrived.  Especially since consolidation, the growth has been tremendous. The joke in my family is that my daughter started and finished at KSU, but I have not. 

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Jackson: Over the past few years, what has been the most rewarding part of your job?

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Dize: Although it takes a while, I LOVE meeting with new students.  I make the students feel welcome, and I help them ease their anxiety level.  I feel that pre-orientation is a great way to get to know new students before they come to campus for the new semester.  I feel that high school students have so many questions, and I LOVE to be the person to answer those questions.  I absolutely LOVE meeting with new students. It’s the little things, the details, that I enjoy.

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Jackson: What is your advice to someone just getting started in professional advising?

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Dize: Make connections with other advisors, within your office, admissions, the registrar’s office, financial aid, housing, or anyone that will have contact with our students.  This is what it is all about.  Advisors have to know whom to call and with whom to connect students.  We help the students get where they are going.  The best piece of advice I’d offer is to develop your own style.  Everyone explains similar things but be able to put your spin on it.  This will help you connect to the student.   

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Jackson: When you are not at work, what do you do for fun?

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Dize: I like to read. I am a big reader.  The last book I read is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  I like going to the movies.  I really like comedies, especially romantic comedies. I also like suspense movies, but I am not so much into scary movies.  I’ll watch a scary movie but only if I am at home because I can control when it needs to stop!  I’d like to travel more, but I haven’t had as much time to do that.   

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Jackson: Do you have any hidden talents that you wouldn’t mind sharing with us?

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​Dize: I used to play the piano, but I haven’t played in years.  I played from elementary school through high school.  My high school music teacher thought I could receive a scholarship because of my talent as a pianist.  I played a sonata, by heart of course, for judges.  Ultimately, I just wanted to play for enjoyment and not for judgment.  I have sung in choirs and in the car; I think karaoke would be awesome, but I haven’t done it.  

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Jackson: People would be surprised if they knew . . . .

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​Dize: That I’ve done 50-mile walks.  It is a three-day event.  I’ve done these walks in Cape Cod, Savannah, and Gaffney, SC.  I did this for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  One of my best friends has M.S., and she asked me to walk with her.  I’ve done six walks so far.  You have to raise $1500 every time you walk, so I have raised north of $9,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  

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Jackson: If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?

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Dize: The Dalai Lama.  I feel like he has it together.  He has his priorities straight.  Everyone has a lot of stress in their lives, and I am not saying he doesn’t, but he seems to handle it well.  He seems like the type that would say, “Calm down.”  I like the way he handles stress.  He seems very accepting.  I would love to meet him.

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