About the 20 Stories Series
To celebrate 20 years of impact, we're sharing 20 stories from the people who’ve made our journey possible. From past participants to longtime partners, these voices reflect the heart of our program. Each story highlights the voices, experiences, and milestones that shaped our community. This is one of them.
How did you decide to join AdviseVA?
After graduating, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I felt burnt out from being overly involved during college and, in many ways, I felt like I had missed the mark on setting myself up for a full-time job right away. One day, my friend Kendall Jordan came to visit me during one of his AdviseVA training days. During our conversation, he shared how much he was enjoying AdviseVA and how surprised he was by how fulfilling the experience turned out to be. His enthusiasm got me curious, so I started researching the program myself. I thought back to how my own college adviser, although not part of AdviseVA, had played a huge role in my life and made a difference for me. I wanted to be that kind of person for other students: someone who could help them believe that anything is possible.
What memories from your time as an adviser have stayed with you?
One memory that really stands out is from summer training when we visited JMU. During that visit, it seemed like everyone in the cohort made an effort to spend time together outside of training by grabbing food, exploring campus, and just relaxing. One night, we ended up at a local spot where, for a while, we were the only people there. We took over the karaoke machine and sang our hearts out together. It was such a fun and unexpected moment that reminded me I was not in this work alone. That night showed me I had a whole network of people across the state who shared the same passion and commitment to serving students, and who knew how to have fun too. Knowing I could trust and lean on them made the year feel a lot less overwhelming and a lot more meaningful.
What are you up to now, and how did your time as an adviser prepare you for life after your service?
Currently, I work in child welfare with Albemarle County Social Services in Charlottesville. This was not the path I originally imagined for myself. After AdviseVA, I was very focused on college access and even pursued a degree in education policy. However, reflecting on my time with AdviseVA, especially the service aspect of the role, opened my eyes to the deeper challenges that some students and families face long before college is even an option.
Working with students from so many different backgrounds showed me that for some kids, it is impossible to think about college when their basic needs and family support are not there. That experience sparked my passion for helping children and families in a more holistic way. Now, in child welfare, I get to support families through difficult circumstances so that kids can be in a better place to succeed in school and eventually make decisions about their future with more confidence.
On a personal level, my time as an adviser taught me that there is so much more to the world than the bubble I was living in. It reminded me how important it is to connect with and serve communities that are often overlooked. AdviseVA really shaped how I see service and community work today, and it continues to guide how I show up for others in my current role.
What is something you were proud to have accomplished during your time as an adviser?
During my time as an adviser, I was most proud of how I worked with the “middle” students. One of the goals my school had for me when I first started was to reach students who weren’t necessarily high achievers or the ones who always sought out help on their own. They wanted someone to focus on those students in the middle — the ones with potential who just needed extra support and encouragement.
One student stands out to me. She had an average GPA, no major extracurricular activities, but she had determination and a clear dream: she wanted to attend Norfolk State University and was willing to do whatever it took to get there. I worked closely with her to submit her application, connected her with people in admissions, and helped her complete every scholarship she could find. In the end, she earned a full ride.
Supporting her showed me that while having top grades and a long list of activities can help, sometimes it’s a student’s drive and belief in themselves that matters most. Looking back, I am proud that my legacy at my school is that I was someone who saw and believed in students who might have been overlooked — and helped open doors for them to chase their dreams.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time with AdviseVA?
During my time with AdviseVA, I enjoyed my experience working in my school and connecting with my group of fellow advisers. But what I appreciated most was the support from the program staff. I am especially grateful for the guidance and encouragement I received from Joy Pugh, Alex Johnston-Coleman, and Jeron Baker.
Those three were monumental to my growth. I saw how passionate they were about the work and how deeply they cared about supporting us through every challenge. They always went to bat for us and made sure we felt valued and heard, even during the chaos of COVID. I always knew they had our best interests in mind, and I am so thankful to have learned from them and still be connected with them years later.