May 11, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College adviser Erin Busscher was honored recently for her advocacy for students and career of helping them along a pathway to success.
Busscher, an associate professor in GRCC’s Academic Advising and Transfer Center, was presented with the Outstanding Academic Adviser Award from the Michigan Academic Advising Association at the organization’s recent conference at Kalamazoo Community College.
“This award means so much to me!” she said. “I strive to contribute to the advising profession at GRCC and at the state and national level. It feels wonderful to be recognized for those contributions! Working alongside advising colleagues across the state supports me in my unique role as an adviser who helps students transfer, and together we are supporting seamless transfer from GRCC to all of our colleges and universities in Michigan.”
The award’s selection committee considered evidence of qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as an outstanding academic adviser, faculty adviser, advising administrator, graduate student, or pacesetter.
Busscher started her career as a student employee at Grand Valley State University and enjoyed the environment and helping students succeed.
She worked in various positions at GVSU for more than 10 years before coming to GRCC to serve as the transfer and articulation coordinator. She quickly missed working with students and was able to step back into an adviser role.
Busscher earned a Bachelor of Arts from GVSU in Professional Writing with a minor in Public Relations. She then earned her Master of Education - Higher Education, College Student Affairs Leadership at GVSU. She is certified as a Global Career Development facilitator and enjoys helping students with career exploration.