Virtual Advising with Fowler: Connecting Students with Support

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Virtual Advising with Fowler: Connecting Students with Support

All Fowler College of Business students have access to the Center for Student Success. The Center for Student Succces exists to support students through their academic journey and serves as a resource to establish and maintain their path toward graduation. With ten advisors, each supporting different majors, the center offers both major-specific academic advising and insights on how to best utilize campus resources.

As the advisors have all transitioned to working remotely during COVID-19, the SDSU Fowler News Team caught up with a few staff members recently to learn more about who they are outside of the office and how they’re adapting to virtual advising.

Sarah Mercado

Sarah Mercado is the advisor for the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy and has worked at San Diego State University for nearly 20 years.  She’s a native San Diegan, growing up in Chula Vista and she comes from a long line of Aztecs. Her grandfather attended SDSU in the 1930’s, her father in the 1960’s, and both Sarah as well as her sister in the 1990’s. Sarah earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from SDSU. She shares, “the one thing that keeps me motivated to do my best are the awesome students. I am missing our beautiful campus right now, but knowing that I can still help students from home is helping me stay calm and focused.” Sarah is utilizing phone, email, and Zoom meetings to answer students’ questions and assist them with class scheduling. 

Jason Tan

Jason Tan supports Finance, Financial Services and Real Estate students as the advisor for all three majors. He attended SDSU for his Bachelor’s degree followed by USD to complete his Master’s degree. Jason is a San Diegan since birth and currently lives in Chula Vista with his wife and two children. A few of his favorite things about SDSU are “the people I'm surrounded by everyday, both students and staff.” When Jason isn’t at work he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and working on their home. Jason shares that his biggest inspiration is his two kids for making him want to become a better person every day. In this new setting, Jason strives to get back to his students as soon as possible and he makes sure the information is communicated clearly in an easy to understand manner.  Jason’s picked the right career, as he shares that “helping others around me literally puts me in a better mood and brings me joy.” 

Patrica van Damme

Patricia advises Management Information Systems students and has worked at SDSU in a variety of roles for 20 years. Originally from the town of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Patricia is trained as a ballerina and has also done both Ballroom and Latin dancing. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Pontifical Catholic University of Minsa Gerais where she became a licensed Psychologist. Eventually, Patricia moved to the United States where she attended the University of Humanistic Studies and earned a Master’s degree. When Patricia isn’t at work she loves reading and explains that “It's my way of resting my brain, and borrowing someone else's.” You can find Patricia spending time with Artemis, her hypo red tailed boa constrictor. While remotely working, Patricia connects with students over email, phone, and zoom. She tells us that “empathy and flexibility are key” to meetings students’ advising needs.

Make an Appointment Today

To connect with your advisor, visit business.sdsu.edu/fcss where you can locate all FCB advisors by major. Email them to schedule a phone call or Zoom appointment. Finally, be sure to prepare for these meetings! Have a list of questions about courses, but also questions about what you can achieve with your degree and where you can go on campus to help you make the most of your undergraduate career at SDSU. Your advisor is here to help you, but it’s up to you to ask for it.