Member Spotlight | October 2026

The MIACADA Member Spotlight showcases exceptional individuals who make a significant impact on the advising profession and our organization. Each feature highlights a member whose dedication and contributions inspire us all. Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements and commitment to advising. Know someone who should be recognized? Let us know! Nominate them today!

Tell us a little about yourselves and your professional journeys. What experiences have shaped your paths in higher education and led you to your current roles?

Megan: My career started in the Office of Admissions at Alma College and transitioned into academic advising after earning my graduate degree. Over the past 13 years at Michigan State, I have enjoyed focusing my efforts on new student orientation and supporting professional development for academic advisors.

Nicolas: I have worked as an Academic Advisor at MSU, starting at the College of Communication Arts and Science and then at the College of Social Science for 20 years. Overall, throughout my career I have continuously been part of committees that have allowed me to not only be involved in different projects but also met professionals from diverse areas at the university, with different points of view and causes to fight for. Some of these have included social science students event planning; MSU Latino community advocacy; Specialist representation at the university level; curriculum revision for undergraduate students, among others. I like to keep myself and my mind busy to grow professionally.

When you’re not working in higher education or supporting students, what are some hobbies, activities, or interests that bring you joy?

Megan: Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling – send me your favorite vacation destinations!

Nicolas: I enjoy playing sports in general, but I especially like playing pick-up soccer, with the members of my community on Sundays. I also really like playing tennis. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, having meals or going on fieldtrips together, or just watching college football games. I do translations on the side (English-Spanish); finally; I enjoy graphic design - logos, t-shirt designs - with my small business: www.loveeastlansing.com 

What inspired you to take on the role of co-chairing MIACADA’s fall virtual conference, and what has that experience been like so far?

Megan: Nico asked me to join him on this adventure, and it has been a great experience. I love working with colleagues across the state and making new connections. It is exciting to see how well committee members are collaborating and supporting each other to bring the conference to life.

Nicolas: Submitting the proposal was a difficult decision because I had never organized a big event before. I strongly believed in the ideas and the objectives of the proposal, so it was a great, and scary surprise to know it had been chosen.

The work with both the committees and the MIACADA Board has been a great experience. When we've had questions, they've guided us and supported us greatly.

As for all the members of the planning committees we created, the work has been extremely efficient and very enriching. We have met all the deadlines we set from the beginning, and we are confident it will be a great event.

This year’s conference theme is “Inclusive Excellence and Innovation for All.” What does this theme mean to each of you, and why is it particularly important in academic advising today?

Megan: “Inclusive Excellence and Innovation for All” is essential in today’s advising landscape because our students, student needs, and advising community are so diverse. I believe we need to be purposeful and innovative in our advising strategies and practices so that we reach all students, not just the majority.

Nicolas: The idea came from my experiences of attending conferences in general. I thought it was important to have conversations about topics we don't usually hear about. That is where the idea came to include different groups of students - adult learners, athletes, to name a few. The idea for biases came after attending many workshops and constantly being asked: "how can you apply this to your own experience, or to your own job?" I realized we all have biases, but we have to learn more about them to be better professionals.  Finally for AI and technology, it has become a topic we can't ignore, and we simply have to keep up with and know the most innovative methods if we want to stay relevant.

What are you most excited about for this year’s virtual conference, and what do you hope attendees will take away from the experience and apply in their own advising practices?

Megan: I am most excited that the virtual conference is free to members! I hope that the conference reminds all attendees of the importance of connecting as a community to share innovative practices and ideas. Teamwork makes the dreamwork.

Nicolas: I am excited for attendees to be able to see all the results of the hard work that all committee members have put into it. It is remarkable what they have come up in two months.

I hope the people who listen to the speaker and attend the sessions learn something new about the advising profession in terms of techniques and practical knowledge, and learn something about themselves in the process.

I hope the event, as the first one in its class, becomes an annual event based on the success of this conference.

As co-chairs, how have you worked together to bring this conference to life, and what has been the most rewarding part of collaborating on this effort?

Megan: Nico and I have known each other for many years, but this is our first chance to work together on a large project. Our work styles complement each other well, and we are both open to ideas and feedback. Getting to know Nico better as both a collaborator and person has been the most rewarding for me.

Nicolas: I really have enjoyed working with Megan; she listens very closely, and I enjoy how we are able to exchange ideas and opinions, about the little details, or big picture issues of the conference.

From her experience in past roles and as Director of Academic Initiatives, she knows how to engage, organize and reach out to big groups of people. Megan is way ahead of me when it comes to the efficient use of technology. She also is more practical, so if I go off in tangents, Megan brings me back to task.

Finally, the most rewarding, is that overall, the process has not felt stressful. Even though we've had to meet deadlines, we've had to remind people to submit their presentations, and the event is two weeks away, it hasn't been a stress-filled process. Sure, it might change right before, but we have been able to make it work very well.

What would you say to someone considering attending their first MIACADA conference about why they should join us this fall?

Megan: Register today! The conference is free, so you can save your PD funds for the in-person conference this spring! You’ll make new connections and leave with inclusive strategies to support your work with students.