Engineering advisor and former international student Joyce Pei-Hsuan Lien receives inaugural Transfer Champion Award

College of Engineering Division of Engineering Technology Academic Advisor Joyce Pei-Hsuan Lien has been named Wayne State University's Transfer Advising Champion for her work in helping transfer students both before and after they come to WSU.

Joyce Pei-Hsuan Lien

The award is given to transfer advisors who aid the advising and retention of transfer students via their dedication, innovation and advising approach. The award is co-sponsored by the Transfer Student Success Center within the Office of Educational Outreach and the Advisor Training Academy.

"Transfer students are essential to WSU's community," says Lien. "Close to 50 percent of the student population has transfer backgrounds. It is significant to me because all engineering technology programs are transfer-based, and I get to establish that advisor/student relationship before they attend WSU. Most technology students have community college experiences during their degree seeking process. This makes my job complex yet special because I get to work with each student closely on developing individual transfer plans of work."

"One plan does not fit all when it comes to transferring. However, with the help of WSU's Transfer Student Success Center, the college/department and other community college partners, we're building transfer plans and articulation agreements that will put every transfer student on the most efficient route. It is meaningful to me because I get to be part of this process, and pass on the knowledge with other colleagues."

An advisor at WSU since 2015, Lien is also an alumna, having graduated with her master's in public relations in 2009. A native of Taiwan, she started her studies in the U.S. as an international student at WSU in Fall 2007. From student visa, to OPT (a temporary working visa), then H-1B (work permit) and now a permanent resident, Lien says it has been an unexpected yet fruitful journey.

Joyce and Warrior Racing team member Alexander Kraft

The Transfer Advising Champion Award is new for the Advising Training Academy awards slate, making Lien the inaugural recipient of the honor. Lien was selected by a committee that included TSSC Manager Ranae Hamama.

"Joyce was selected to be the recipient of this award due to her strong commitment for transfer student success," says Hamama. "She has played a pivotal role in developing transfer pathways, articulation agreements and is very involved with the recruitment of transfer students. We are excited to continue to work with Joyce and want to congratulate her for winning this award. "

Lien says that getting to work with her fellow "outstanding and supportive" engineering advisors and faculty makes her job that much better. "It's been my priority in the past five years as an advisor to encourage students tot reach their best potentials at WSU and beyond," she says. "It's wonderful to learn many students carry that spirit after they graduate. Many had landed on their dream jobs, some went on to pursue grad-level programs, some returned and taught for us as part-time instructors, some participated in student mentoring programs, and so on. Being part of this community and able to witness students' success stories made me proud and stronger at each day of my work."

By Jacob Stocking, Office of International Programs communications associate.

The Office of International Programs leads Wayne State's global engagement by creating opportunities that foster international education and research, facilitate the exchange of individuals and ideas that promote global competencies and citizenship, and provide resources that support the expansion of the university's global agenda. Follow us @WayneOIP.

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