Academic Advising

At MUIH, we believe academic advising is critical to your success. We strive to facilitate engagement, exploration, and student success through exemplary academic advising. We know navigating academic curriculum and professional goals can be difficult, and we are here to assist.

Welcome

Each student at MUIH is assigned an individual, professional academic advisor to guide them on their academic journey. This website provides valuable information regarding academic advising at MUIH, academic program curriculum, policies and procedures, and much more. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please reach out to the Advising Team using the contact information below.

Mission

Academic Advisors at MUIH work collaboratively with students as they pursue their academic and professional goals. Students and advisors discuss academic progress, set goals, explore challenges, and develop plans for success in an empowering and supportive environment. Advising is a shared responsibility between advisors and students; however, the ultimate responsibility for successful degree completion rests with the student.

Values

The MUIH Academic Advising community values community, mindfulness, integrity, inquisitiveness, and discernment.

Outcomes

Through engaging with academic advising at MUIH students will be able to understand, navigate, and take responsibility for their academic curriculum; demonstrate a knowledge of resources to support students in their academic journey; connect career and curricular goals; build collaborative relationships and demonstrate a healing presence in the MUIH community and beyond.

Caressa Olivo

Director of Academic Advising

With over 15 years of experience in academic advising, and over 10 years in academic advising administration, Caressa has dedicated her career to a whole-student, relationship-centered approach to academic advising.

She challenges her students to understand their personal power and agency, while supporting them in the challenges they encounter on their educational journey. In her role as Associate Director of Academic Advising at MUIH, she provides support and direction to the academic advising team, and provides academic advising for students in the Health Promotion and Health & Wellness Coaching programs. Prior to her current role, Caressa served as Lead Academic Advisor in Biobehavioral Health at Penn State University, Associate Director of Academic Advising at Penn State University – Scranton, Learning Commons Coordinator at Mt. Aloysius College, and Academic Advisor and NSO Coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown.

Education

Masters of Arts in English, West Virginia University
Bachelors of Arts in English, Penn State University

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

443-906-5813

Crystal Hoyte

Associate Director of Academic Advising & Student Orientation Specialist

Crystal is from the island of Barbados and has completed her Masters in international Business.

She has extensive experience in areas of hospitality and academia and is extremely passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals. She is trained in areas of academic advising, academic counseling and career advising which has equipped her in providing a well-rounded advising experience for her students. She is student focused and committed to seeing her students succeed. In her role as Associate Director of Academic Advising & Student Orientation Specialist at MUIH, she provides support to all new students focusing on enhancing their experiences at MUIH and provides academic advising for students in the Herbal Studies programs.

Education

Master of Science in International Business

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Laura Steck

Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist

Laura has always found passion in helping others achieve their goals.

She began her professional journey working in mental health and with children and adults with disabilities. Looking to follow her love for education, she transitioned in 2015 out of the mental health field and took a position within Johns Hopkins University’s School for Advanced International Studies as a Program Coordinator. Although she worked primarily with faculty, she quickly realized that she enjoyed conversing with students as they came into her office to discuss upcoming tests, graduations and other life events. From there, she transitioned to the role of Admissions Counselor for University of Maryland University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus). In the summer of 2018, Laura joined Maryland University of Integrative Health as an Admissions Counselor. She knew that she wanted to work with students on more of a long-term basis throughout their student experience, and in spring of 2019 she became an Academic and Career Advisor. Laura advises for the Nutrition, Ayurveda, and Yoga programs. Advising has been the perfect vehicle for Laura to provide the advocacy, resources and support that students need. Her greatest joy in this role is watching students grow during their time in graduate school and seeing them overcome obstacles to reach their professional dreams. Laura is very proud to be a part of MUIH and its mission to promote healing through integrative health education.

Education

Completed Graduate Level Courses in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Loyola University Maryland
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Spanish, West Virginia University

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

443-906-5809

Casey Simms

Senior Academic Advisor

Casey is a dedicated student affairs professional with 3 years of advising experience.

She made the transition to higher education after 5 years in the behavioral/ mental health field. With a background in counseling, Casey takes a solution focused, student centered approach towards advising. She focuses on student success through data driven approaches. One of the highlights of her job is seeing students graduate and pursue their dreams within the integrative health field. Casey advises primarily for the Nutrition programs and also for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

Education

Master’s in Counseling – School Counseling, Messiah University
Bachelors in Psychology – with a Minor in Sociology and a Minor in Gender Studies, Bloomsburg University

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

443-906-5812

Devyn Cain

Academic Advisor

Devyn has 5 years of student affairs experience working in housing, disability services, and LGBTQA+ resources.

Devyn is excited and motivated to be transitioning to academic advising, and is looking forward to assisting students in their goals through graduation. He advises primarily for Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, Herbal Medicine, and Cannabis Science.

Education:

Masters of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education, Colorado State University

Bachelors of Arts in Women and Gender Studies, Pace University

Bachelors of Arts in English Language and Linguistics, Pace University

Pronouns: He/Him/His