Shay Sandoval-Flores (she/her/hers/ella/kwe)
Academic Advisor
waressha@msu.edu
Hello/Hola/Aanii! Shay Sandoval-Flores (she/her/hers/ella/kwe) was a first-generation, low-income, Pell-eligible, undergraduate student. Like many MSU students, she entered college underprepared to succeed. Shay valued education but could not help herself navigate college or financially support her education. She struggled with academics, campus climate, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging. Shay considered giving up on college but eventually found her path. Her college experience became the catalyst for a career in Higher Education. She has been part of Michigan State University for 4.5 years. Shay understands each student brings unique circumstances, situations, backgrounds, and personalities. She realizes students’ past and present influence their college experience. Shay believes in meeting students where they are, supporting their dreams, and helping them to own and navigate their path to a degree. She comes to you with the understanding of how important advising support is to students on their educational journey, and is here to help you stay on your path to success.
I love everything about being an advisor. The ups, downs, and everything that advising encompasses. I love engaging and interacting with the students, as well as listening to them. I love helping them decide on what academic path they want to follow. I absolutely love supporting them academically, socially, emotionally, and holistically. I know I make a difference in their higher education experience and that makes me proud of being an exceptional advisor.
Honestly, I am most proud of being a mother to two of the sweetest, kindest, caring, and beautiful children. Every time I hear them laugh, I am reminded of this precious gift. Whenever I see them doing good deeds or someone shares something with me, I am even more proud that I have done a great job as a mother.
I am passionate about a lot. I have always been passionate about helping ensure that everyone has equitable economic, educational, political, and social rights and opportunities. I have been a social justice warrior since I was young and I was known for such as a student at Michigan State University in the late 1990s. I served on many student organization panels, identity affinity/racial & ethnic group boards, hall government committees, as well as being an ASMSU liaison for the LBGTQIA+ populations during my undergrad years. Those passions are still prevalent in the work I do today personally and professionally.
I have many interesting facts. One of the most recent interesting facts is in August 2022, several others and I were appointed by the Mayor of East Lansing, Ron Bacon, to serve on a committee to rename the park formerly known as Abbott Road Park and give it an Indigenous name, Azaadiika.