Alumna Samantha (“Sam”) Spiers (BSW, 2012; MSW, 2014) had never considered a career in advising, but the previous BSW advisor and alumna Lisa Burgos (BSW, 2009 ; MSW, 2010) in Sam the same passion for helping people, especially students. “Little did she know how much I would love advising students,” Sam joked when reminiscing about applying for the position. But, Sam has excelled in her role as BSW advisor for the FSU College of Social Work.

This year, Sam was the only advisor, University-wide, awarded the 2014-2015 Undergraduate Advising Award at the Faculty Awards Dinner in April 2015. This award recognizes outstanding undergraduate advising involving a number of areas, including: knowledge about curriculum; knowledge about areas of concentration and career options; sensitivity toward the pressures and demands on students; good communication skills; and a nonjudgmental approach toward advisees’ concerns. The roles and responsibilities fit in well with Sam’s passion for social work.

“I always wanted to work in a helping profession,” Sam reflected. “I am passionate about the values of the social work profession and dedicated to its mission, even in my role as an advisor.”

Sam holds the unique role as the only advisor for social work students, being the first person they encounter at orientation and the last person seeing them off for graduation. She makes it her mission to help students establish and achieve their personal, academic and career goals during their time at FSU. This includes educating students on university policy and procedures, their program of study, and connecting them to resources on and off campus. Her advising role doesn’t end there. She also serves as the mapping coordinator, keeping students on track and progressing through the program in a timely manner. She serves more than 560 students per year, sometimes advising upwards of 100 or more students per week.

Keeping track of so many students and their progress presents a unique challenge that Sam does all of this with compassion, efficiency and a friendly, welcoming attitude; and always with the needs of students as her top priority. Sam communicates actively with her students via email and even on social media. “I have a Facebook account where I post important information and this is often the best way to reach some of my students,” Sam said. “I’ve found this to be helpful get them the information through a medium they utilize and are comfortable with.”

Sam also remains active in Advising First, the network of all FSU academic advisors, serving as a member of the Fun Committee, planning outside events for FSU advisors. “Advising can be a stressful job,” Sam explained. “We need to look out for one another and stay focused on our goal of helping students.” And, she also serves as program advisor for the registered student organization, Box of Love, a local branch of a nonprofit organization founded by a social work student from Ohio.

Being an advocate for students goes beyond her role as an academic advisor, making her a frequent representative of the College of Social Work and the profession. Sam attends a multitude of events in order to discuss social work, encouraging students to consider it as a major and career path.

“I love advising social work students because I often share their values of the profession – the importance and worth of all people, diversity and social justice. I want to enhance the well-being of individuals and I’m able to do this every day as an academic advisor.”

To contact Sam regarding undergraduate advising, contact her at sspiers@fsu.edu.