Susie Fann has been advising students in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering for 15 years. But that doesn’t mean she’s all-knowing when it comes to working with the graduate students who come to her seeking solutions to both academic and personal issues.

That’s why she’s so excited by a new series of courses offered by Staff Development and Professional Services starting later this month. The program will help staff advisers across campus communicate and problem-solve with their students better. The courses, generally limited to 30 students, have been full since December.

In her department Fann might find herself helping a depressed student cope with classes or another student not getting along with his or her thesis adviser – as well as doing basic academic advising.

"I think the series is a good thing," Fann said. "It will give us some confidence. By being in these classes we can do a better job."

The series, designed as a certificate program of four courses, is the brainchild of former chemical engineering and material science department student adviser Carissa Love and her management services officer, Tracy Lade.

When Love – who left the university recently to move to South Carolina – started in her adviser post in April 2000, she believed she was prepared to deal with students’ academic questions but not their queries on personal issues.

"You might get the student who is totally stressed and thinking about suicide," said Lade, who talked to Love about the situation. "You can’t (formally) counsel them, but it’s important how you talk to them."

Advisers often act as a "first line" for students who don’t know where else to turn, Lade said; after hearing them out, the advisers usually direct students to places like the Counseling Center or The First Resort, and its peer counseling services. But the staff advisers, too, wanted to have well-rounded skills, she said.

After learning that no classes in crisis management and communication skills specifically for advisers existed on campus, Lade and Love set about trying to create some.

With the help of Sally Harvey, director of Academic and Staff Assistance, and other student advisers, they formed a committee to develop a series of classes.

Now, under the auspices of Staff Development, Harvey and Paul Porter, a counselor and Sacramento State professor, will guide enrollees through four one-class courses on effective communication, dealing with angry and difficult students, advising resources, and other challenges the employees face on the job.

Gathering advisers, who assist both graduate and undergraduate students, will also be an important part of the certificate program, said Carina Celesia Moore, manager of Staff Development.

"This gives them a chance to cross-pollinate and share ideas and stories," she said.

Lucy Day is looking forward to that. As the undergraduate adviser in the small art and art history department, her duties range from answering the phone to helping students choose courses and soothing them when they become overwhelmed. She looks forward to her yearly meeting with other undergraduate advisers across campus but has always craved more interaction with them.

"It’s always helpful to get listening skills and to hear from other advisers on how they do things," she said. "As an adviser, you need to have your ears sharp (for listening). It’s not always easy, though, with the telephone ringing.

"Hopefully after the courses you can come back to the maze and have your feelers sharpened."

When advisers finish the four courses they will receive a certificate of completion. Having the courses offered through a formal program ensures that advisers will take the courses in a progressive manner and get the most out of the classes, Moore said.

Although the courses are full for this spring, Staff Development hopes to offer another series next year. Already for the upcoming sessions, Staff Development has decided to offer two sections of the courses to accommodate the number of people interested in the program.

"When we get feedback like this, we will work for a group." Moore said.