More Than Academics: Meet Rachel Waxler, Commonwealth Honors College's New Advisor

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Rachel Waxler is a new academic advisor at Commonwealth Honors College. She earned her bachelor’s in psychological sciences at the University of Connecticut and her master’s in counseling at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Waxler brings a unique perspective to our advising team as a former peer advisor at UConn, English teacher in Europe, and mental health counselor in both university and K-12 environments. Her path has wound its way to Amherst, where Waxler is thrilled and committed to holistically advising students through their journeys of exploration and growth.

A Winding Path

Waxler’s journey began with an ever-present north star, one which called her to work with people in meaningful ways. During her undergraduate years studying psychological sciences, she discovered that this passion extended beyond the classroom. Her role as a peer advisor for her psychology program was formative in this discovery.

"That was my favorite job that I had held at that point," Waxler recalls. 

"I felt so fulfilled helping students navigate their academic paths and college life. I’ve been searching for that sense of fulfillment since.”

Waxler recounts that she was bitten by the travel bug following graduation, so she took some time to explore and relocated to Spain in September of 2022. She taught English for nine months to kids in first through sixth grade and traveled across the country, taking in the beauty of the Iberian Peninsula. 

Waxler in Spain, photo courtesy of Rachel Waxler

While abroad, her career path began to materialize. Immersed in an academic environment, Waxler recognized that she wanted to pursue graduate education in school counseling. "I loved being in the school setting," she explains, "so at the time, that seemed like the most obvious next step."

She enrolled at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she pursued a master's degree in counseling while working as a graduate assistant in admissions and interning at a middle school. Upon graduating, Waxler worked as a school-based mental health counselor in Connecticut. However, after approximately a year in this role, she recognized a dissonance between her work and her passion.

“The work was important,” she reflects, “but I realized it wasn’t quite the right blend of my skills and interests for how I wanted to help people.” 

Waxler realized that she thrived in higher education environments and loved advising students in this critical juncture of their lives. This recognition redirected her career search, ultimately leading her to Commonwealth Honors College.

A Holistic Approach

Given Waxler’s background, her approach to advising is distinguished by its integration of mental health awareness and her expertise in counseling. 

Rather than separating academic concerns from a student’s well-being, she views students as complete individuals who may require support in every facet of their lives.

"It’s a priority for me," she explains, "that well-being is part of the conversation I'm having with students, just to check in and make sure that, on top of all the amazing things they're doing academically, they're also getting enough sleep, eating, and doing other things that allow them to grow as a person, not just a student." This holistic perspective stems directly from her background in mental health counseling.

Waxler considers college as a pivotal period in the development of a student; one that transitions students away from the structure of elementary/secondary education and introduces autonomy in a much more significant way. This in-between phase represents an opportunity for meaningful support.

For the upcoming academic year, Waxler aims to develop expertise in Commonwealth Honors College's flexible curriculum, building meaningful connections with students, and establishing her office as a welcoming space for students of all identities and backgrounds.

Waxler at her Masters graduation, photo courtesy of Rachel Waxler

Why Advising?

When asked why students should seek out CHC advising, Waxler emphasized the excitement and passion the advising team has for students.

“It's a space where all of us are in this role because we really want to help students. Supporting students in achieving their goals and dreams is my dream, so coming to advising is a mutually beneficial interaction," Waxler notes. 

She also noted that advising led her to different paths that she would have never considered without an advisor during her time as a student. Waxler notes that by meeting with an advisor, students can further enrich their experience at CHC. In addition, she pointed to research highlighting the importance of forming meaningful connections on campus. 

“Studies show that students who have at least one close connection with somebody on campus increases their retention and feeling of belonging. That's part of what we're here for—to help you feel like you belong and have a home here,” she said. 

Looking Forward

Though Waxler’s path has wound from psychology, teaching in a foreign country, and counseling, it has equipped her with a diverse toolkit to become an effective and considerate advisor. Her commitment to students is informed by and reflected in her understanding of what students need during this period of life. 

"This is a really pivotal time of your life. Having somebody to walk alongside you through it—everybody deserves and can benefit from that," Waxler explained.