Student Perspectives: Supporting the ASN Mission

Student Perspectives: Supporting the ASN Mission

Welcome back to the Student Perspectives blog series. We are Lilly Baron and Elegy Garcia, the Marketing and Communications Interns with the Advising Success Network (ASN).

Lilly supports ASN through social media analysis across our three major platforms, translating data into meaningful recommendations. She also leads resource repackaging strategies and testimonial outreach that highlight success within the ASN community.

Elegy is supporting the Services side of ASN by updating and refreshing internal communications templates, and working on this year’s Student Choice Awards case study collection. She occasionally works on social media posts as well.

The third and final post of our Student Perspectives blog series explains where we are now and what our semester has been like working at ASN. Interning these past two semesters has given us valuable insight into how institutions can meet student needs using holistic advising practices and resources. We will also share our individual experiences and how they highlight our passion for ASN’s core mission of supporting students and strengthening advising systems across all institutions. 

We hope this blog helps students understand the power of utilizing resources and find confidence as they navigate higher education in their individual identities. At the same time, we invite practitioners to see these blogs through a student lens, offering insight into individual student experiences to further reinforce the value of holistic practices. We also wish to showcase what we do at ASN and how students and practitioners can work together, find opportunities, and support ASN’s vision:

“A higher education landscape where institutions align to provide holistic support to students that is sustained, strategic, integrated, proactive, and personalized and take the whole student – their goals, intersectional identities, and experiences – into account.”

Elegy’s Contributions: Continuing the Work That Matters

Transferring schools isn’t always an easy decision, but for me, it was the right one. After completing two semesters at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), I realized I was struggling with attending in-person classes. I made an appointment with my program director, who acted similarly to an advisor for the graduate program I was in, and discussed my options. With her help, I decided to continue my education by transferring to an online Master of Public Administration program at Texas State University. Making the transition from one university to another as a graduate student took careful thought, as I wanted a program that would provide a quality education while also working logistically with my credits and time to graduate.

As a disabled student who works best in my own space and manages various health needs, the opportunity to study from home opened new doors. It allowed me to fully engage with my courses while balancing part-time work, internships, and other life responsibilities. I learned from my program director that education doesn’t have to follow a traditional format, and that it can adapt to you, not the other way around.

Part of my graduate program required completing an internship, but I saw that as more than just a box to check. Some key things that shaped my decision included the following:

• I had already built a foundation of professional experience through my earlier roles in nonprofit and communications work
• I wanted an internship that would show me new applications of my work.
• My undergraduate advisors consistently told me about new educational and professional opportunities that could align with my goals

I am thankful to my advisors for being proactive and letting me know about NASPA so I could keep tabs on them for future opportunities like this internship with ASN. Through this internship, I’ve been able to combine my skills in writing, research, and communications, as well as my commitment to equity, into meaningful work that helps improve advising systems nationwide. It’s been a rewarding experience to collaborate with professionals who are as passionate about student success as I am. This internship has shown me how advising and public administration intersect, and how thoughtful communication has the potential to create lasting institutional change.

Looking back, transferring to Texas State wasn’t just about continuing my degree; it was about redefining what success looks like for me. Education, work, and service can take many forms, and with the right support and mindset, every step forward becomes part of a bigger purpose. My advisors across the institutions I’ve attended have all helped me succeed, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without their help and dedication to students.

Here’s what I’ve accomplished so far during my intenrship:

• Conducting interviews for the 2025 Student Choice Awards Case Study
• Designed templates for internal and partner-specific use
• Supported communications efforts related to event and panel participation 
• Collaborated on this three-part blog series with my co-intern, Lilly, to highlight diverse student voices and experiences

This spring, It has been great continuing to work with Lilly on future collaborative projects, helping across teams internally, and embrace any new projects with excitement. This internship has been fun, educational, and inspiring, as well as a way for me to build confidence in myself as someone who can make meaningful change. My time at ASN has been very rewarding. I am thankful for everyone I have been able to work with and learn from, and I am excited for the future as I finish my degree and my work with the ASN team.

Lilly’s Journey Supporting ASN: Continuing the Work That Helped Me Grow

Now that I have walked through my journey entering college in Blog 1 and how advising shaped my higher education experience through support during my sophomore year in Blog 2, I would like to bring you back to the present, where I have been supporting the Advising Success Network as a Marketing and Communication Student Intern. 

I was drawn to the opportunity to support ASN because of my increasing passion for supporting higher education and the meaningful guidance of my advisor. This began shaping a “full-circle” moment when my advisor sent me a post on LinkedIn: “Apply for the Marketing & Communications Internship at ASN.” 

As I eagerly began the interview process, I realized just how passionate and hopeful I was to get this role where I could support a great cause amongst many outstanding professionals who shared the same values. 

Here is what I have accomplished so far:

• Organized and gathered 12 ASN testimonials, strengthening ASN’s support for both students and practitioners
• Completed social media analytics to continue reach and awareness of ASN
• Supported social media publishing to bring awareness of ASN’s involvement in the higher education community
• Assisted with website development to enhance how ASN’s mission and resources are communicated online
• Published this three-part blog series with my co-intern, Elegy, bringing student voice to the center of ASN

As you can see, working as a student intern for ASN has not only been personally rewarding but has also deepened my knowledge and appreciation for holistic advising.

If you had told me during my first year of college that I would one day have the chance to support a cause I care so deeply about while continuing to grow my marketing and communication skills, I never would have believed you. Yet every bit of support and growth I’ve experienced over the years has led me to this moment, making me even more grateful to contribute to ASN’s mission.

As my intership ends, I am happy to have supported ASN, especially duing my final semester in college. This opportunity has been both rewarding and impactful, and I could not be more grateful for the things I have learned and will continue to learn. 

From Students to Interns: Strengthening Student Success with ASN

We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to support ASN and bring student voices to the forefront of the work we do. Although our experiences vary in different ways, it’s evident that advising plays a powerful role in higher education, no matter what level, modality, or institution type you are in.

As stated in ASN’s vision, we aim to provide advising practices that take “the whole student – their goals, intersectional identities, and experiences – into account.” By showcasing our individual goals, intersectional identities, and experiences throughout our higher education journeys, we hope you have learned more about how powerful holistic advising is and what it looks like from the voices of students.

We are grateful to support this vision and proud of what we have accomplished!

Lilly has continued her work on ASN social media and strengthened our presence on LinkedIn by revamping how we share our resources and highlight our work.

Elegy has served as the lead author in drafting our case study collection, which celebrates the five awardees of the 2025 Student Choice Awards for Holistic Advising.

Follow ASN on LinkedIn and stay tuned to see some of our interns’ content contine to come to life!