By Denise Thomas, OMVAE
WSU is lucky to have Brandi Walthall-Johnson as a new academic advisor in the Mike Ilitch School of Business Administration (MISB). She joined the undergraduate advising community in August 2020 but has not met her colleagues or advising peers in person. Regardless of her virtual onboarding, she has learned a lot in a short time through her MISB colleagues and the Advisor Training Academy (ATA). Her caseload consists of students’ majoring in management and marketing, but she is willing and prepared to hop on a meeting with all students in need of assistance. When I asked Brandi why she decided to join WSU’s advising community she stated, “The WSU guiding values of collaboration and integrity resonated with me, and these shared traits have directed me throughout my professional career. Collaboration - I always prefer working together. No one person knows everything. And integrity - I am always faithful to the service I promise others including my co-workers, supervisors, and students.
Brandi is new to the WSU metropolitan Detroit area. She has student affairs experience, having previously worked as an enrollment representative at Stark State College in Akron, Ohio and as a Career and Academic Advisor at Loran County Community College in Elyria, Ohio. Growing up she frequently heard about WSU from her father, a WSU alumnus. She herself is a graduate of the University of Toledo, earning a bachelors in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in Higher Education.
To stay safe during COVID Brandi says she has not done much outside of the house. She has discovered a newfound interest in DIY decorating projects and is currently working on building an ottoman out of a car tire. How fun is that? Also keeping her interest at home is a beautiful 10-month-old baby girl, Faith. She admits that working from home has its challenges, but she cherishes the extra time spent with her daughter.
Brandi has the true Warrior Spirit. She is enjoying WSU and her new position despite the isolation of our virtual environment. She has adjusted to the metro-Detroit area, being a new mom and the COVID pandemic and her passion to serve students and to be a good colleague resonates when you talk with her. Please welcome Brandi to WSU! She can be reached at hg3066@wayne.edu.