Lindsey Fincham

For new adviser Lindsey Fincham, working with WVU students is a sort of homecoming.  A graduate of the College of Creative Arts, Lindsey spent four years as a secondary art teacher before returning to WVU to advise, now as a colleague of her former professors and staff in the recently merged College of Creative Arts and Media.  “I was looking for something that was still in the realm of education in some aspect,”she notes. “I love connecting with and helping people. I have always been passionate about higher education.  I was a first-generation student, and college was very transformative for me as a person.”

Lindsey works with students studying Fashion Design and Merchandising, Design Studies, Interior Architecture, Art History and Museum Professions, Art Therapy and occasionally Art and Design.  She encourages students to learn to advocate for themselves and hold themselves accountable in their academic career.  She encourages them to learn tools like DegreeWorks and communicate with staff and professors without being afraid.  “You’re here to learn,” she points out.  “It’s totally okay if you don’t have everything figured out. But don’t let this stop you from actually trying to problem solve the situation yourself.”

Lindsey is one of many new faces across campus working hard in student support roles like advising.  She takes her own advice and offers the same to new advisers.  “Don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions.  Seriously, because you’re going to have a lot of them.  Own it.”  Colleagues like academic advising coordinator Kim Nichols recognize how Fincham does truly try to own it.  “She knows her craft,” Nichols says.  “She is willing to help, volunteer, and be a great team player.  Lindsey is what all advisers should be.”

Ultimately, Lindsey loves being able to connect with students who she sees so much of herself in.  “It’s as though I am giving back to the program that gave me so much.” she says.