Every person in the GW Engineering community contributes to the fabric and culture of what makes us great and unique. As an institution of higher education, we often celebrate the achievements of our students and faculty. However, without the tireless work of GW Engineering staff, nothing would be possible. From our facilities, to our technology, to supporting our events, the staff at GW Engineering keeps our school moving forward. Each month we will highlight one staff member in our Local Hero editorial feature. Take the time to meet the people who are at the foundation of our school.
The Office of Undergraduate Student Services, Advising, and Records is the home of the professional advising team that guides GW Engineering students throughout their entire time at the school. Advisors, such as Senior Academic Advisor Lisa Redman, work hard to ensure all undergraduate students achieve academic success and are connected to the countless resources available to them at GW Engineering. Read below to learn more about April’s Local Hero, Lisa Redman! :
Q: How long have you been working at GW and what is your position?
A: I’ve been at GW since July 2021. I originally started in Milken as an Academic Advisor and then transitioned to GW Engineering in May 2023 as a Senior Academic Advisor, which is my current position.
Q: What led you to this career?
A: My interest in working in higher education started when I was in college and had just returned from my study abroad experience in Rome, Italy. I was really passionate about helping other students have a similar experience because I felt as though I had grown so much as a person during that semester abroad and knew the benefits of the experience could similarly impact others, so I decided that I wanted to work in a study abroad office to help promote abroad opportunities to students. My first job out of graduate school was at my alma mater, West Chester University, in their study abroad office. After three years in that office, I wanted to explore more of the academic affairs side of higher education and turned to academic advising.
Q: Why did you choose GW?
A: I chose GW at the time because my now husband was looking for new positions in the DMV area and I was also looking to start fresh at a new university. I chose GW because of its focus on student success and I really like the location of the university within the city.
Q: What is one thing you wish you’d known when you started working at GW?
A: I wish I had known more about the different databases that GW uses before starting here. I was not previously familiar with Banner, DegreeMap, GWdocs, and so on, but fortunately, they were all very easy to pick up as time went on.
Q: What is your favorite part about working at GW Engineering?
A: I really appreciate the supportive environment of everyone around me which makes supporting students a lot easier. It’s always nice to see how GW Engineering is evolving and growing and being a part of that change.
Q: Why would someone want to work at GW Engineering?
A: There is so much going on within GW Engineering that makes every day exciting. There are so many opportunities to grow and gain new experiences, which is not only great for students but also for staff. Everyone is also very kind and supportive of one another.
Q: What is your biggest work pet peeve?
A: Students who ask questions before looking for the answer on their own. We provide undergraduate students with countless resources on our website and via email, so it can be difficult when they don’t take the time to read before reaching out.
Q: What’s your ideal way to spend the weekend?
A: Relaxing at home with my husband and dog and enjoying a new or repeat DC restaurant that we love. We also love going back to Pennsylvania to visit family and friends when we get the chance to!
Q: What's one of your favorite memories from the past year?
A: I married my best friend this past May and we went to Sorrento and Rome, Italy for our honeymoon! It was my first time being back in Italy since my study abroad trip in the Fall of 2014.
Q: Tell us something people don’t know about you.
A: I try to go to New Mexico at least once a year to visit my two nieces who live in Albuquerque and I love to go on hikes and rock climb while down there.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes! We have a four-year-old rescue doggy named Lily, we also call her Lily Girl, and she is our world. She is a mix of pitbull, chow chow, English springer spaniel, German shepherd, and husky and she is a sweetheart.