October 7, 2022
By Claudette Zolkowski
To call Adam McChesney’s career in advising a vocation would be a vast understatement.
While student adviser may be in his job title, McChesney’s professional drive runs deeper.
Whether working with students or co-workers, McChesney exemplifies the definitions of adviser, mentor, coach, colleague and friend. Through genuine support, sincere interest in each person as an individual and a desire for continual improvement, McChesney sets the standard for outstanding advising.
It’s no surprise that McChesney, senior academic adviser for the OU School of Business, received the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) 2022 Outstanding Advising Award in the Primary Advising Role category. He will receive the NACADA award at the organization’s annual conference in late October. He also was named 2022 Outstanding Adviser of the Year at Oakland University.
While his achievements and accomplishments are vast and varied, what stands out about McChesney’s nominations and subsequent recognitions is the passion students and colleagues have for the impact McChesney has on their lives and profession.
The common themes that run through the nomination forms are McChesney’s intellectual generosity combined with an authentic desire to help and his talent to meet people where they are.
Commitment to students
Students speak of McChesney’s attention in helping them navigate their specific path.
“As I navigated going back to school as a transferee, a single mom and a proud student, Adam has always navigated right along with me through my journey,” said Jeannie Whitehead, ACC ’21. “Adam is passionate about guiding students in the best direction to fit their personal needs. Not only does he excel at this, but he does it with a kindness and purposeful attitude that just can’t be taught.”
“His knowledge and helpfulness have made my experience at Oakland one to remember,” wrote Emma Haggerty, MKT ’22. “He puts his advisees first, is incredibly easy to communicate with and truly wants everyone to succeed.”
Dedication to advising
His co-workers cite his commitment to colleagues and to continually improving the advising experience within the School of Business as well as across Oakland University.
“His generosity in helping the entire advising community speaks volumes to his character, but he does it because he truly has a desire for the success of advising on campus,” wrote Sarah Jahimiak, assistant director, advising, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. “Adam is a team player, intellectually generous and interested in student success. His contributions to the advancement of advising are invaluable.”
“Adam is an advocate for student success. He is constantly creating outreach campaigns, analyzing data and implementing new strategies to reach students in an effort to promote resources and support for their success,” said Lauren Leve, academic adviser, School of Business. “He is always willing and available to meet with his students as well as advisers across campus.”
“Adam has his pulse on the issues that students face and is always efficient in identifying potential solutions,” said Vijayan Sugumaran, chair, Decision and Information Sciences Department. “I have heard from countless number of students the professionalism and diligence that Adam shows when they meet with him.”
“Adam is meticulous in his ability to see the big picture,” said Jaclyn Keith, academic adviser, School of Business. “Adam is dedicated to learning how he can be better and is always comfortable taking on new challenges. Adam is consistently encouraging both his students and our advising team to be the best we can be.”
Adviser to the core
Described as one who does not seek out recognition, McChesney is both humbled and appreciative of the awards.
He considers it a privilege to meet and guide students along their academic path. Whether he’s working in his role as senior academic adviser, special MIS instructor or committee member, McChesney said, “My role of academic adviser never leaves my identity. I treat my interaction with all students through the lens of an academic adviser.”
It's clear McChesney is proud of the work he does on behalf of Oakland University and the School of Business. He’s pleased to hear he’s making an impact and giving back to a place where he discovered opportunities and the support to explore them.
“Adam is creative, innovative, proactive, trustworthy,” said Debbie Lengyel, director, advising, School of Business. “He has built much credibility in the Business School Advising Office, with our faculty, advisers outside our office, advising directors, upper administration, and in our state and national advising associations.”
In his ten years at the OU School of Business, McChesney has helped revamp the Business Undergraduate Advising office, streamline processes and put practices in place to make advising a pleasant experience and smooth-running operation, noted Lengyel. All the initiatives he has led helped bring students in for appointments, decrease the number of students in academic trouble, increase enrollment and improve student services in the School of Business.
In summary, she said, “Adam is passionate about improving the student experience.”