Gabby Strzalkowski

What do you like about advising?
Advising feels like a really fun puzzle for me. I enjoy helping students problem-solve, whether that means piecing together a course schedule or brainstorming new approaches to studying to prepare for upcoming exams. I also love meeting new people and learning about their previous life experiences and goals for the future, so advising allows me to have really interesting and fulfilling conversations with students across the College of Engineering.

What do you like about working with engineering students?
I am continuously impressed by the ways in which engineers address the world's most pressing challenges. I am a lifelong learner, so I enjoy hearing about what students are reflecting on in their courses and exploring through their research. I do not come from an engineering background, so gaining new perspectives from students I interact with is really interesting to me.

What was your major in college, and why?
I majored in Secondary Education and English, with a minor in Psychology here at the University of Michigan. I always loved school and loved to learn, which influenced my decision to pursue education as a career path. I also love reading, so my English major was a great way for me to strengthen my critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills through literature. After teaching high school English and Psychology for a few years, I decided to transition into higher education to apply those skills towards facilitating student development through the college experience.

What is your best piece of advice for first year students?
Try new things! It can be intimidating to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, but the unique nature of a college environment is a great opportunity for you to discover new interests and passions!  Taking courses in new subject areas, getting involved in student organizations that are interesting to you, expanding your worldview by studying abroad, and simply meeting new peers are all going to facilitate your growth and help you along your journey. At the same time, college can be a very busy time, so don't forget to pace yourself and engage in self-care along the way! 

What is the best kept secret at the University of Michigan?
Women's athletics! While the men's football and basketball teams get a lot of (well-deserved) attention, Michigan also has stellar women's gymnastics, basketball, softball, and volleyball teams (to name a few). Tickets are very affordable, and those games are a great way to see some great sports in action! I love attending games to cheer on our Wolverines, and our competitors are fun to watch, too; Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins, and Jordan Chiles have all come to Ann Arbor to compete against the Michigan Wolverines.

What do you spend time on outside of your work?
After work, you will typically find me running, reading, and hanging out with my cat, Jolene. On the weekends, I love catching up with friends over a good cup of coffee at RoosRoast. I also have a passion for musical theatre; I've seen dozens of musicals, with Rent, Hamilton, and Company being a few of my all-time favorites. I love live music as well, so you will find me at Sonic Lunch, Top of the Park, Folk Fest, or The Ark for some live music opportunities around Ann Arbor!