Academic Advising Services

We’re here for you. As you earn your online or evening degree, your University of Mary Student Success or Faculty Advisor will provide personalized, one-on-one assistance, ensuring you’ll always have someone to turn to when you need help or advice.

How Advising Helps

Whether you are an undergraduate student who hasn’t been in the classroom for a while or you’re on your way to earning a graduate degree—or you’re any other student learning online or in evening classes—your advisor can help you:

Connect to campus resources.
Select a course schedule that meets your degree requirements and personal needs.
Register for classes.
Add/drop courses.
Develop a manageable study schedule.
Plan to complete your degree on time.
Establish personal and academic goals.
Cope with academic stress.
Navigate roadblocks to academic success.

How We’ll Assign Your Advisor

We assign every online and evening student at the University of Mary a Student Success Advisor or faculty advisor. All of our locations include advisors while our online students connect to advisors by phone or email. Work or live near one of our locations? You are always welcome to stop by!

How You’ll Connect With Your Advisor

As you prepare to start classes, your advisor will be in contact with you to assist with orientation and help prepare you for your first semester in your program. Throughout your program, your advisor will be available by phone, email, or at any of our locations. We know you’re busy, so our advisors will reach out to you with important information about your schedule and classes, allowing you to focus on what’s most important—your coursework.

How Our Student Success Advisors Can Help As Well

In addition to providing every student with a faculty advisor, we also offer student success advisors, specifically committed to assisting online students.

If your advisor is unavailable or if you have an academic question or an issue of a more general nature, you can contact one of our student success advisors by emailing or calling an advisor directly.

Our online student success advisors are:

Hello,

I am Pattie McWilliams and I am the Director of Graduate and Distance Retention for the University of Mary, Worldwide. I work directly with the Student Success Advisors with advising/retention questions as well as advising undergraduate business majors.

I grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota and I hold both a Bachelor degree in Special Education and Master's in Counseling and Educational Psychology from Tennessee Technological University. I have been working in Education for the past 29 years in teaching, counseling and advising.

Director of Graduate and Distance Retention
pattiemc@umary.edu | 701-355-8133

Hello!

My name is Shelby Imdieke, Assistant Director of Retention and International Student Services here at the University of Mary! I hold a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Masters of Education in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment both of which are from the University of Mary.

I have spent the last few years working with international students in a variety of different capacities including, international student advising, support services and institutional compliance with federal immigration law. I'm also an active member in NAFSA - Association of International Educators.

As a member of NAFSA, I have the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders and colleagues within the international education community. My office is located on our main campus in enrollment services (lower level of the Benedictine Center). If you cannot stop by my office to see me in person, you can always reach me by phone, email, or Skype (Username: Shelby Imdieke).

I look forward to meeting all of you!

Assistant Director of Retention and International Student Services
saimdieke@umary.edu | 701-355-8134 | Skype username: Shelby Imdieke

Greetings,

I am a Senior Student Success Advisor, serving on-line graduate students in the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, Master of Education students in the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and Master of Science in Bioethics students. My wife Sharol is a Math and Religion teacher at the St. Mary's Academy in Bismarck. We have one late daughter, Sarah Ann. I also serve as a Paramedic for the Garrison-Max Ambulance District and I enjoy golfing and traveling in my free time.

I have 30 years of experience in teaching and advising adult students. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and a Master of Education degree both from the University of Mary. I have a passion for serving and enjoy working with advisees, whether finding solutions to their questions or guiding them through the course registration process. It gives me great satisfaction top serve student from admission to graduation and seeing one of their life goals achieved.

Senior Student Success Advisor
mkhaugen@umary.edu | 701-355-8231

My name is Julia Bagnell and I am a Student Success Advisor for non-traditional, undergraduate students. I am located at the Bismarck main campus.

The past five years I have spent working in the field of Student Affairs specifically within Housing and Residence Life at institutions in Idaho and most recently in California. My goal is to ensure students are successful, feel supported and grow personally and professionally during their time with us.

My hobbies include, hiking, golfing, and watching football.

I look forward to meeting you!

Go Marauders!

Student Success Advisor
jmbagnell@umary.edu | 701-355-5148

Hello!

My name is Mike Jennens and I am a Student Success Advisor for non-traditional graduate students in the Gary Theraldson School of Business. My office is in the Butler Center in Bismarck. I advise online students from North Dakota, onsite students at the Butler Center, and military students east of North Dakota.

I look forward to helping students be successful in reaching their goals. I have a true passion for what I do and thoroughly enjoy facilitating students in whatever way I can. I love being able to turn a problem into an opportunity. I am committed to the Benedictine values.

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Grantham University and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership Degree from the University of Mary. I retired from the military with more than 33 years of service. I have been married to my wonderful wife, Cindee, since 1979. We have two awesome children and three wonderful grandkids. I enjoy hunting, fishing, woodworking, building loudspeakers, and spending time with my family.
I look forward to being able to serve you!

Student Success Advisor
mwjennens@umary.edu | 701-355-2967

Hello!

My name is Jennifer Hackler and I am a Student Success Advisor for non-traditional, undergraduate students. Specifically, I advise online students, onsite within the Fargo/Moorhead and Grand Forks areas, and all students majoring in Psychology.

My passion lies in higher education and working with students by supporting them in reaching their personal and professional goals. On a day-to-day basis, I communicate with students and assist them with topics related to degree planning, course planning, registration, tutoring services, graduation and commencement, and connecting students to additional resources.

For the past four years, I have had experience in the world of student affairs and advising through graduate school and professional experience. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Bemidji State University in 2011, and earned a Master's of Science degree in College Counseling and Student Development from St. Cloud State University in 2014.

I look forward to working with you!

Student Success Advisor
jahackler@umary.edu | 701-353-3180