Every advisor has encountered the student who seems disengaged, overwhelmed, frustrated, or "unmotivated." But what if we're asking the wrong question?

Instead of asking, "What's wrong with this student?" we'll explore a more powerful question: "What happened to this student, and how can I help?"

Students rarely walk into our offices carrying only questions about registration. They bring stress, uncertainty, identity struggles, family expectations, financial pressures, and experiences that influence how they think, learn, and make decisions. This interactive session explores how trauma-informed advising can transform everyday advising appointments into opportunities for connection, resilience, and student success. Participants will learn practical, research-informed strategies to recognize stress responses, build trust, support healthy decision-making, and foster belonging—all while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. You'll leave with tools you can implement immediately to strengthen advising conversations and empower students to thrive.

Because students may not remember every policy we explain, but they will remember how we made them feel. Discover how trauma-informed advising can turn everyday appointments into meaningful moments that promote belonging, resilience, and lasting student success.

Presenter: Brandi Byers Undergraduate Academic Advisor II McCausland College of Arts & Sciences

The Student Behind the Schedule: Trauma-Informed Advising That Builds Belonging and Student Success