Lauren Elan
Graduate student Lauren Elan is “eager and very involved when it comes to the students and problem solving,” says Andrea Torres, director of Student Support and Advocacy.
During her final year of the Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) program, Elan is serving as a graduate intern in Student Support and Advocacy.
"I read the daily DPS logs and follow up with the students who have had problems, big or small -- everything from students who went to the hospital to those who cut their hand in a lab," says Elan. "I follow up with the parents, as well as with the student's professors to update them and ask for leniency, if necessary."
In addition to her work for Student Support and Advocacy, Elan is also a graduate assistant for Parent Programs and a residence coordinator at Troy Hall, where she oversees the resident advisors and works with students in crisis.
"She's wonderful," says Torres. "We work very closely with the resident advisor staff, and last year we worked with her on a few cases. As a result of that experience and her great interview, she was one of two graduate assistants that I chose for this year."
Elan earned her bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA, and served as an RA for four years. "I was involved in the greek community and wanted to live in my sorority house, but when I was accepted as an RA, my mother urged me to try it for a year,” she says. “Here I am five years later looking to make a career out of it."
In March, Elan will travel to Seattle for the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education conference to participate in a job placement exchange program with universities across the country. A native of Tarzana, she plans to work in student affairs and eventually pursue a doctorate in education, possibly at USC.
"I love the PASA program,” says Elan. “There are many opportunities for field work. I made the right choice."