I was in college for almost 20 years because I was working full-time and was busy exploring what was possible for me. I graduated high school without good enough grades to go to a 4-year university, so I went to my local community college and just started taking random classes. I wish I had known about advisors, but I also don't think there were advisors there. I also didn't understand anything about college or graduation, so I struggled for two years before I chose to serve a mission in Londrina, Brazil speaking Portuguese.
When I got home I realized I had just done something that felt totally impossible to me before I left. This changed the way I saw myself and what was possible for me going forward. I finished my Associate's Degree in Mathematics and Physics at the community college and then transferred to a 4-year university to complete a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I then joined a group of my friends and colleagues to complete an MBA program. As I sat in the graduation ceremony for my MBA program, I just felt like there had to be more for me. So I started and dropped out of three PhD programs: Educational Leadership; Instructional Leadership; and Religion, Theology, and Philosophy. I just felt like I needed to pursue something different. So, I applied to BYU and was accepted into the Master's and PhD program in Instructional Psychology and Technology, which I finished in 2017.
While I was working through all of these educational programs, I started my career in Higher Education in 2003 and continued to develop my understanding of students and higher education institutions so I could better help students achieve the impossible in their lives like I had. Along the way, I learned a lot about how to learn and teach effectively and have found so much joy in working with struggling students so that they can work through their challenges and experience success.
What was your major exploration path?
Associate's Degree: Mathematics and Physics
Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration
Master's Degree: Business Administration
Master's Degree: Instructional Psychology and Technology
PhD Degree: Instructional Psychology and Technology
What jobs and careers have you had since college?
Enrollment Specialist
Finance Counselor
Collections Agent
Admissions Counselor
Regional Trainer
Academic and Career Advisor
Training and Development Manager
Director of Research, Planning, and Strategy
Director, University Advisement Center
What are your areas of specialty when it comes to advising?
Business, Education, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and STEM Fields
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Wing Chun Kung Fu, Travel, Chess, Reading (fantasy novels), Learning and Teaching Theories, Video Game Design, Motivational Speaking, Religious Conversion, Epistemology and Ontology
Are you involved with any groups or organizations on campus?
I have served as the faculty advisor for the BYU Leadership Club and the BYU Wing Chun Kung Fu Club.
LinkedIn: keithrproctor