About Stephanie Hands:

Stephanie grew up in a rural “farm and factory” town in the Midwest with a population of less than 5000. She was told in high school that she was not college material, as were many women from low income families in her hometown. She was given a chance to attend UNM after a year of part time, dead end, minimum wage jobs. She took that chance even though she did not believe she would succeed.

She has been at the University of New Mexico since she was 19 years old when she started taking courses (even though she did not have a major) and worked as a work-study student at the University College Advisement Center (UC). After six years she earned her first degree and continued to work at UC after graduation. She eventually supervised the University College Advisement Center and then the Arts and Sciences Center for Academic Success, each for over a decade. She has a Bachelor's in Psychology and an MBA from Anderson School of Management. Her goal is to continuously improve advisement standards, practices, and policies to enhance the experience for the students. She believes that advisement is an active partnership between students, staff and faculty.

Stephanie’s Advising Philosophy

Advisors are teachers – they teach students how to navigate successfully through the university system. Advisors are navigators – they give guidance that enhances students’ educational journey and personal development. Advisors are translators – they articulate for the student the language of higher education.