Kylie McMillon

Academic Advisor

Kylie McMillon is an A&M-Commerce (now East Texas A&M) alum who hopes to continue their education within the next year. As an undergrad, they studied sociology and psychology and were also in the Honors College. For McMillon's capstone, they participated in research and wrote a thesis about first-generation students, which is what led to their interest in working with college students! McMillon also has a passion for fitness, so on a typical afternoon you will find them in the gym lifting weights. When they are not working out, they are on Netflix rewatching their favorite shows, including The Walking Dead, Lucifer, and Orange is the New Black.

A Conversation with Kylie

What is something you enjoy about your job? Why?

I enjoy working here because I can aid students in the challenging but rewarding endeavor of higher education. Hearing students talk about how accomplished they feel as they work towards their degree is something I find great joy in. I feel especially lucky when a student chooses to open up to me and I get to learn more about them; sometimes our job does not allow for much of a relationship to be formed with the students, so I make sure to appreciate the moments when a student talks about more than just their class schedule.

How do you help students choose their majors or career paths?

Many times, when a student does not know what they want to major in or what job they want to work, I ask them, “What lifestyle do you want to have?” I have found that just asking students “What do you want to do?” is too broad and unhelpful. I think it is important to consider that some students may not have a particular passion for a job, but they do know that they want to have a flexible schedule and weekends off. In addition to this, I refer them to our Career Preparedness Office as they have different tests that students can take to highlight their strengths and weaknesses and can also talk with the student about their wants.

What does higher education mean to me?

As someone who was a first-generation college student, getting my bachelor's degree was one of the biggest accomplishments for me and my family. I find it important to remind students of their “why.” I think it is easy for students to get caught up in the “just get it done” mindset and forget why they are going for it in the first place. My “why” was to better myself and my opportunities; my “why” was to prove to myself that I could. Now that I work in higher education, my “why” is helping students achieve the same goals that I had for myself and beyond.

Education

• B.S., Sociology, Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M), 2023

Experience

• Academic Advisor, East Texas A&M University, March 2023-Current

Awards

• 2023 Summa Cum Laude, Highest Honors