“I truly appreciate the opportunity to support our students and make a positive impact on their progress, not only during their academic studies and professional preparation but also in their personal lives,” Demirag said. “I am especially pleased to receive this nomination in a year that has presented unprecedented challenges in higher education, and I believe my holistic approach to advising that considers students’ academic and professional development in conjunction with personal well-being and growth has helped my students successfully navigate these challenges.”
Demirag said it’s important to stay on top of the latest policies and procedures and to keep detailed notes of interactions with her students. She advises students who are pursuing dual majors, minors and varied certificates in academic programs. Her job, she said, is to understand the complex requirements to make viable plans for her advisees.
Many of her students manage multiple responsibilities in school, work and personal life, so she’s highly flexible to meet their needs. She makes herself available at times best for them and puts effort into thorough and accurate responses to her students’ questions. Their time is valuable, she said, so she wants to make the most of these interactions.
For Demirag, student success means more than academic success. She empowers her students to make informed decisions about their education and career goals so that they can explore their options and attain their optimal outcomes, both inside and outside the classroom.
“I build multiple possible scenarios or pathways to achieving a student’s goals and provide a clear explanation of the pros and cons of different decisions. This approach enables the students to have plans that are robust and adaptable to change,” Demirag said. “The benefits of this approach extend beyond college education and help students learn how to gain resiliency in their future life plans.”
Students also praised Demirag for helping them get the most out of their college experience.
“Dr. Demirag wants me to get the most out of my education here at Behrend,” a nominator said. “She lets me know of any opportunities that I have and makes sure I am doing well in all of my classes. Having an adviser like her makes my experience at Penn State easier and makes me feel that coming to Behrend was my best choice.”
Susan Sanders
Sanders, who has worked in higher education for almost 25 years, said that no training module can prepare you for advising students because each student and scenario is unique. She said that’s what drives her to do great work. She’s inspired by her students’ unique stories.