College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University

Sound advice

Kathleen Timmons helps students earn ISU degrees with advice, listening.
Her job is to advise students whose academic route and goals may not follow the beaten path. That's why Kathleen Timmons' position offers a great deal of variety.

"My days are all different because each student's background and educational goals are unique," explained Timmons, an academic adviser for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Timmons is the coordinator of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies major at ISU, and she provides initial advising for students interested in the interdisciplinary studies major.

The BLS was designed in the 1970s as a joint program of Iowa's public universities. It serves the needs of nontraditional students who are unable to complete a traditional degree on campus and also on-campus students who want a broad-based education.

The interdisciplinary studies major is for undergrads who have educational goals not met by existing programs. The student creates his or her own major with the assistance of Timmons and a faculty committee.

Because each BLS and interdisciplinary studies program is based on shaping a course of study for an individual, students need varying degrees of assistance.

"Some students want extensive guidance and others know what they want, and I won't hear from them again until they graduate," said Timmons, who has been the BLS adviser since 1978.

Timmons said she aids students in a variety of ways. Sometimes it's simple guidance to weave through ISU's rules and regulations. Other times she acts as a referral service, advising students to see the financial aid or LAS Career Services offices or another campus service.

Another important role is as a listener. "If a student has a personal problem, and if they decide to share it, sometimes all they need is for someone to listen to them," she explained. "We don't play the role of counselor, but we will listen."

And she provides guidance. She will help students find their academic interests and strengths. Sometimes she also has to educate the student on what a liberal arts education is and how it will benefit them.

At other times she has to explain a BLS won't meet their goals.

"If a BLS student wants to get into elementary education, for example, we have to say, ‘No. This won't meet your educational goal,'" Timmons explained.

Not all of her advice is accepted. "I have learned you express your concerns, but ultimately the students make their own decisions and take responsibility for their actions." Timmons admitted, however, that some students who shun her suggestions succeed just fine.

"There are surprises," she laughed.

Jane Jacobson, director of LAS Student Academic Services, said Timmons often serves as the "port of last call" for BLS students not knowing where to turn.

"Frequently students might feel frustrated or lost within the system," Jacobson said. "Or they may be low on financial resources. A lot of it is listening to what the student is really saying and explaining to them how they can get this degree."

Timmons' experience with the BLS program and her willingness to go the extra mile to help students turn a collection of credits into a meaningful degree has made the program successful.

"The BLS makes it possible for a lot of students to become alumni of Iowa State when otherwise they would have left before graduation," Jacobson said.

"Kathleen is the BLS program."