Eileen Hoy began her pursuit of helping students while working toward her master’s degree in the early ’80s when she decided to earn a certification to teach high school.
While she was not able to complete the coursework upon graduation, she did teach high school science in Louisiana on a temporary certificate.
“While teaching, I spent a lot of time working with and talking to students individually on topics other than science and their coursework. We discussed personal issues, decisions they were making about coursework, going to college, working after high school, what careers they wanted,” Hoy said.
Hoy and her family moved to the Bryan/College Station area in 1994, and she looked to continue teaching. However, because she had not completed her original certification coursework, that effort was unsuccessful. After moving through different jobs, she started working for the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University as the stockroom manager. After a couple of years, the department’s advisor position opened up. Hoy applied and was hired, and she continued to grow her love of working with students and helping them navigate new knowledge.
“There is so much, especially at the university level, that can remain uncovered unless they really research or have someone help them find those hidden opportunities that can make a real difference in a student’s career path/life,” Hoy said. “I love seeing the changes they make and the process of maturing as they progress through the years to graduation.”
Hoy joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering as an undergraduate academic advisor in December 2018. She said she likes that the department has a family feel despite being part of a large university.
“I do feel very comfortable and enjoy working with the faculty and staff,” Hoy said. “Getting to know the students coming into the department for the first time and spending the next three years with them is amazing.”
Hoy’s exceptional academic advising has been recognized many times. She was a recipient of the 2020 President’s Award for Academic Advising and the 2019 Commitment to Students Award from the student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
Hoy feels she received those honors because throughout her career she has continued the strong work ethic both her parents demonstrated in their lives.
“Anything I do, big or small, has an effect on the student,” Hoy said. “I make every effort to make certain that what I do makes that effect a positive one. I do make mistakes, but I try my best to make them right. Being selected for these awards is awesome, but I don’t do what I do for any award, I do it for the students. They deserve it.”