Noël Lugo (they/them) is one of three individuals being recognized by the Office of Institutional Access this December as part of our Staff Appreciation Month celebration. Lugo is an academic advisor and Coordinator of Undergraduate Opportunity & Support Services for the Department of Psychology. As a first generation college student, they are passionate about increasing educational access and success for all students.
Lugo graduated from the University of North Dakota with degrees in psychology and interdisciplinary studies, and earned their MA in psychology from California State University Fullerton (CSUF). Their journey came with its fair share of personal tribulations, which they have translated into tailored support for students going through similar situations.
Originally planning on becoming a therapist, Lugo discovered their passion for supporting college students while working as a Graduate Assistant and Writing Specialist for the CSUF McNair Scholars Program, a Department of Education TRIO program that Lugo themselves received assistance from in undergrad. “It felt like I got to give back to the program that had given so much to me,” they said.
After building a strong background in student support services through their graduate assistantship, Lugo began their job search and found out about an opening in MSU’s psychology department, a newly created position centered around both academic advising and coordinating undergraduate diversity and inclusion programs. “I was excited to have a clean slate and be the first to do something and set a direction for the department,” Lugo said.
Lugo describes their background as a first generation college student and two-time college dropout as the ‘foundation,’ the driving force behind how they work with students. “It’s a perspective that I bring into all of the programming that I create,” they said. “I’m always trying to see how we can meet students where they’re at, normalize help-seeking, and create a culture of support- such that whether you’re a first or sixth generation to receive higher education, you can come into our institution and be oriented and supported.”
One unique program geared toward supporting students that Lugo has created is the PSY Student Success Mentors (PSSM) Program. They saw a gap in the needs of the over 2,300 psychology majors that couldn’t always be addressed by a handful of advisors, and thought that junior and senior students with more experience could take on mentorship roles, both helping to guide newer students throughout the major process and enhancing overall belonging within the department.
“Part of it was also trying to make the psychology department feel like a smaller community, to connect students who are closer in experience than we are as professional staff,” said Lugo. “Led by fellow students who can provide that student perspective, who can create and promote a growth mindset and cheerlead folks while walking alongside them.”
They also saw a way to benefit upperclassmen in the process. Students can earn course credit and get hands-on professional development experience. “Many psychology majors are preparing for people-focused careers, so we wanted to give our psych majors an opportunity to develop leadership, communication, and mental health skills that could serve them down the road,” they said. “They’re building their repertoire and getting warm fuzzies from supporting their peers.”
The people, both students and fellow staff and faculty members, are one of Lugo’s favorite parts of working for the Department of Psychology. “I really enjoy working with and deeply respect all of my colleagues, who are so passionate about what they do. I’ve learned a lot from them, and I’m grateful that I have their support and that I’m in a place where we don’t get stagnant, we’re constantly growing and improving.
Lugo has been part of a faculty and staff-led effort to reinstate several departmental awards and honors to recognize the contributions of those in the Department of Psychology. In recognition of their own outstanding contributions, Lugo was recently announced as this year’s winner of the Faculty Staff Award, as nominated by their colleagues.
To Lugo, the true meaning of student success is self-actualization, and giving a student all the tools they need in order to achieve their dreams, both on the way to graduation and beyond. They are a firm believer in the importance of community and leaning on one another to achieve these goals.
“In order for us to individually meet all of our goals and to graduate and prepare for our next steps, we need to have access to resources that support us. We need to feel like we belong and that we’re capable of accomplishing what we set up to do in a given space or towards a given goal. Student success, to me, is when folks have everything that they need to achieve what they want to achieve, and to know that they have a community that is cheerleading them and helping them get to those next steps.”
Honorees’ views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the College of Social Science.