Carmela Brown

What is your advising philosophy? Academic advising is a critical process through which students' programs take shape and attain intellectual coherence and credibility. Under this context, the role of advisors is much more than simply course scheduling. Advisors encourage students to challenge assumptions, make decisions, and create their own academic paths. It is a partnership built on authenticity and integrity.  

What was your path to Newnan? I taught a career development course where I required students to create mission statements. My personal mission is to inspire and encourage others to take delight in exploring their gifts and potential. I strive to do this with students that I meet and work with regularly in advising. I began my advising career as a departmental advisor in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University. I advised undergraduates in political science, public administration, and pre-law. In addition, I handled the internship program for the Master’s candidates in the Public Policy Program.  My interests in internships and career development allowed me to move into a newly created position focusing on career services for students in the social sciences at MSU. I was able to teach a class and help students understand the value of the liberal arts and prepare for post-graduate work and employment. Due to family choices, I moved to Ann Arbor where I was able to continue my work in advising in LSA.  

What do you enjoy about working in Newnan? It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Newnan advising team. I work with colleagues who truly care about students and their experiences. I look forward to meeting new students each year at orientation. Our advising model of working with student from orientation to graduation allows me to develop relationships with students throughout their academic journeys.   

Class you loved and why? I took a class in the Department of Psychology as a sophomore that was designed for seniors and graduate students entitled Crisis Counseling. I took the course with a friend; we were the only sophomores in the class. It was a course in psychopathology that had a hands-on component in clinical practice. In my junior and senior year, I served as a TA for the course and provided feedback to students on their experiential practice. The instructor became my mentor and encouraged me to pursue an honors thesis. It was through this one course that I became interested in counseling as a career.

Interests and hobbies: Birding (in May you can find me in the woods with my binoculars), hiking, yoga (ask me about the yoga studios in Ann Arbor)