Spotlight on Academic Services
A profile of JIU Academic Services Counselor Regan Walsh, now Regan Rawson, just back from her honeymoon.
Inside
Regan Rawson, the former Regan Walsh, counsels JIU students in the bachelor’s degree and MBA programs. She has a BS in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver and joined JIU in September 2004. Her husband, Rob, is a 2005 JIU graduate with an MBA in Global Enterprise Management.
Regan, what made you decide to pursue a degree in business administration?
It interested me because it was so broad in scope. I was considering going into a number of different fields, and I liked the sales, marketing, and other areas it could prepare me for. For instance, going into education in an advising position! It just gave me a lot of options.
What did you do before you came to Jones?
I worked for Parks College in Denver as an admissions counselor for two years. It was great experience, getting to meet a lot of students. It’s what really got me interested in helping them meet their goals and achieve their dreams.
How did you come to Jones?
My fiancé—I mean, husband!—worked at Jones in IT tech support and that’s when I first become familiar with JIU. When I knew it was time to make a move, JIU was the first name on my list. I interviewed with a couple of other companies, but JIU always came out on top.
How do you see your role as an Academic Services Counselor?
My role is to provide customer service to our students and direction for the successful completion of their degree programs. I advise them about courses, course choices and progression, graduation, and generally answer any questions they have. From the time students come ‘in the door’ until they graduate, they spend their time with me.
Do you get to know the students you counsel?
You build a relationship with the students you’re helping throughout their time here; it’s not just a one-day conversation. It could be a year, or it could be three years, but it’s a very personal relationship.
So you kind of become friends?
Yes. I recognize their voices and I really get to know them, because this is a very important part of their lives, and we work so closely together to figure out how they’re going to fit this in and what they’re trying to accomplish.
What do you enjoy most about working with your students?
That’s funny, because I do think of them as my students. They call me with confidence, knowing that I can guide them through their degree programs. They have faith in me, and trust. And I hope I can always be there for them.
Is there one student you’re working with now that sticks out in your mind?
Gosh, they’re all interesting. I do have one student that has six children who’s always taking classes and calls quite often. She says she knows she needs to do this for her kids. And I love talking to my student in Japan, whose calls I try to return as late in the day as possible, but it’s still about 4:30 in the morning there. Still, she always answers the phone!
What do you most enjoy about working at JIU?
It’s a great environment. I work with terrific people who are just as dedicated to the students as I am. I really love being here.