Academic Advising Center Announces Change in Leadership

The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce that Kyle McCool, who joined Webster in 2015 as director of Graduate Academic Advising, has been named senior director for Academic Advising. McCool will oversee Undergraduate Academic Advising and have expanded responsibility for advising services for graduates and undergraduates, at Webster’s extended campuses.

“Kyle came to Webster with significant experience in both graduate and undergraduate advising and a strong understanding of current issues and best practices in academic advising,” said Nancy Hellerud, vice provost. “In the past four years, she has championed Webster staff and faculty participation in NACADA (the professional association for academic advising), which has led to the creation of a Global Advising Council, Outstanding Advisor awards, and professional recognition for individual advisors.”

Under McCool’s leadership, the New Graduate Student Orientation program on the main campus has grown and improved, an online orientation module has been created for students in Uzbekistan and other extended locations, and resources for advisors have increased.

“Kyle has been involved in Delegates’ Agenda, the Global Student Leadership Summit, the Retention Committee, and RISE (Resilience Inspires Student Success, an undergraduate retention program), and she is a co-lead, along with Erica Ellard, director of the Academic Resource Center, on our Student Success Portal (Starfish) project,” said Hellerud. “Under Kyle’s leadership, the Academic Advising Center will continue to increase its impact on academic advising and on student persistence and success across the network.”

Amy Carroll and Beth Sims, senior academic advisors on the Graduate Advising team, have been named assistant directors of Graduate Advising. “Amy and Beth will assume day to day responsibilities for the Graduate Advising Team, which includes the regional military advisors,” said McCool. “Both have proven leadership experiences, from coordinating New Graduate Student Orientation to training and mentoring new advising staff, to carrying their own advising loads and serving as primary advisors for highly specialized programs.”

Carroll was named the 2019 Staff Advisor of the Year; consistently identified by her students and colleagues as an outstanding mentor and colleague. Sims provides leadership in policy and process areas and has taken over the approval of transfer credit across the U.S., working closely with faculty and advisors as they support students in reaching their goals. Their increased leadership responsibilities will continue the goals and objectives of the Graduate Advising team. McCool states, “Having a strong leadership team is imperative as we continue to focus on providing excellent service to our students.”