Dr. Lucie Kadjo, assistant professor and coordinator of the Agribusiness Program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, says that working with students is her passion.
“I love making a difference in students’ academic lives through my advising role,” said Kadjo. “I want to be that advisor who inspires students to make strategic decisions that will lead them to success, and in turn, is inspired to learn to be a better advisor.”
She is being recognized for this work as the recipient of the 2021 UW-Platteville Outstanding Faculty/Instructional Academic Staff Academic Advisor Award.
Kadjo joined the UW-Platteville School of Agriculture in 2016 and teaches several agribusiness courses. She is also the advisor of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) club. Kadjo received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University Hassan I of Settat in Morocco, and her Master of Science and Ph.D. in food and resource economics from the University of Florida, with a specialization in marketing demand and price analysis and economic development.
“Advising is a continuous learning process, and I believe to become the model advisor that I aspire to be and to create successful students requires learning, caring, great listening, attention to details, and determination to acquire the knowledge and provide great advice,” said Kadjo. “However, despite all the trials and errors, advising at the end of the day is the most enjoyable and exciting activity for me. I want my advisees to be successful not only at school but also in their future careers. I establish high expectations for them, and I am very delighted when they graduate with good standing or honors and find a good job. I am always willing to learn new advising strategies and practices that could benefit my students.”
Kadjo’s students benefit from this approach.
“Thanks to her knowledge and advice, I will be graduating after just seven semesters with my double major and my minor,” said Catherine Austin, an agriculture business major. “She has been able to answer my several questions relating to my classes and scheduling since she became my advisor”.
“When meeting with Dr. Kadjo, she always asked how I am doing, how my classes are going, and she has a few minutes left over to socialize,” added Benjamin Woessner, an agriculture business major. “I can tell she cares about each one of her advisees. She does everything possible to make sure they are successful.”
Meagan Heine, an agriculture business major, agreed, adding “I feel like Dr. Kadjo is someone that I can talk to about anything. We have a great personal connection, and I feel very comfortable talking to her. When I am in class or when I go to her office, I can tell she cares about me and all her other students and advisees. She always asks me how things are going at school and at home.”
Kadjo will be recognized at the university convocation on Thursday, Aug. 26.
“Earning this award means a lot to me and makes me want to do more for students,” said Kadjo. “It is a confirmation of my contribution in the development and promotion of future elites. I am very thankful and grateful to the students who have acknowledged my advising efforts by nominating me.”