iSchool Advisor Profile: Danny Downes

The most rewarding part about my job is building connections with our students and helping them achieve their academic goals.

  
Danny Downes, who is originally from Ohio and joined the School of Information in 2020, advises iSchool undergraduate students, who he recommends should always be comfortable asking questions because "it's okay to not know something."

Learn more about Danny’s work with iSchool students at the University of Arizona, as well as his passions outside of work:

What brought you to the iSchool, and where did you work before joining the college?

I guess it could be said that I was recruited to the iSchool? Ha ha. I was working here at the University of Arizona on campus as a financial aid counselor and was ready for my next chapter serving students. A former colleague let me know about some position openings and that I should apply. When I went through the interview process, which was for multiple positions and departments, the hiring committee felt that I would fit in perfectly here at the iSchool.

Prior to UArizona, I worked in many different student support capacities at both four-year and two-year institutions back in Ohio, ranging from Campus Libraries to Student Activities.

Tell us about your current work as an undergraduate advisor.

My current work still has me interacting with students, while also focusing on new student orientation. While orientation is changing beginning with this cycle, I will likely act as a main point of contact for our incoming students moving forward. Though right now I work with all our programs except for the BA in Information Science and eSociety (which I have advised in the past), the iSchool is switching to generalized advising, so I’ll have a caseload that covers all our undergraduate programs.

What do you find most rewarding and also most challenging about advising students?

The most rewarding part about my job is building connections with our students and helping them achieve their academic goals.

The most challenging part of my job is coming across a situation that I simply cannot fix—whether it is something that a student needs to do on their end or it involves a process that is controlled by another department across campus.
 

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Can you share a favorite story about working with students?

There are too many stories to single out anything specific. What I can say is that my favorite time of year is always graduation, when I get to see all our students’ hard work pay off as they reach that finish line.

What professional organizations are you a member of?

I’m just starting to get involved with NACADA, the National Academic Advising Association. This semester I was able to attend the regional conference here in Tucson. It was a great opportunity to connect with other advisors and pick their brains on advising styles and see areas where I can improve.

Beyond your job, what are your passions?

I love music. I grew up in the “Warped Tour” era so I guess I can be classified as an “elder emo,” but music has always been a big part of my life. In college, I even worked on a morning radio show for our local alternative rock station. 

I also enjoy video games. I’m not super technical when it comes to how it all works, but I was able build my own PC and spend some of my free time gaming.

Lastly, but most importantly, my wife and I had a daughter in the fall and I absolutely love her, and love being a dad.
  

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What is your advice for students to find success at the iSchool and UArizona?

My biggest piece of advice is to ask questions! It’s okay to not know something. You should always feel comfortable starting out by asking me if you don’t know who or where to go. (Also, Google is your friend.)

What does the iSchool experience mean to you?

To me, the iSchool experience is directly related to everyone associated with the School of Information: the faculty for teaching pioneering curriculum, the administration and staff for always working with the students and advocating for them at every turn, and the students, who act as an incubator, supporting one another and perhaps sharing a perspective that wasn’t originally considered.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Be a good person and do what makes you happy.
  

Learn more about School of Information advisors, or explore ways you can support the dynamic, student-invested staff of the School of Information.