Marinette Campus Student Advisor
Bethany Welch started as the Marinette Campus Academic Advisor this year after teaching in the International Students program and other classes on campus. She was born and raised in Marinette, WI, and has always been connected to the area. She loves the opportunity to meet with students. The Driftwood talked to Bethany about her personal life and the pros and challenges of her new career.
Who are you? Where are you from? Tell us anything else about yourself that you wish (hobbies, family, animals, etc.)?
I am the academic advisor at the Marinette Campus as of January 2020. From September 2008-December 2019, I taught a variety of courses including Spanish I and II, Spanish Language Through Culture, English as a Second Language, and a Cultural Identity First Year Seminar. I was born and raised right here in Marinette, WI.
Why did you choose UWGB-Marinette Campus?
I wanted to live and work here in Marinette, where most of my family and friends are. I got my AAS from UW-Marinette in 2002, and I knew it would be a great place to work, with great colleagues—and I was right!
What do you like most about your job?
I love interacting with students, getting to see what interests them and what motivates them. I enjoy working with colleagues who are passionate about education and make lifelong learning a priority.
What can be challenging about your job?
There are certain weeks in the semester where it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything done, or to meet with everyone. I enjoy a challenge, though, and lists help me to prioritize those responsibilities. We can’t really control or manage time as well as we think we can—we can only prioritize!
What made you decide to switch jobs to Academic Advisor?
I really enjoy the opportunity it provides to meet all of the students on campus, not just the ones who take my classes. Advising appointments still feel like teaching, so I’m not missing out on the interaction—just on the planning and grading, which is fine with me! Finally, the International program on campus has not continued to grow, so it was unlikely I would be able to continue teaching ESL in the future, and I was ready for the administrative change that advising presented.
If you are an ice cream person, what would be your favorite flavor?
Of course I’m an ice cream person! Cookies and cream is my favorite.
—Interview by Breanne Bedgood, Profiles Editor &
Driftwood Social Media Coordinator