John Perez, Carla Jordan And Dan Freet Receive University Of Missouri-St. Louis Hero Awards

Press release from the University of Missouri-St. Louis:

January 13, 2022

University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and her cabinet continue to recognize the exemplary efforts of staff and faculty members from across campus by bestowing the UMSL Hero Award on up to three individuals each month.

This month’s honorees are John Perez, a senior academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences; Carla Jordan, the director of undergraduate advising in the College of Business Administration; and Dan Freet, UMSL’s chief of police and director of institutional safety.

John Perez

John Perez is now in his 17th year working at UMSL. He started as an administrator and then became an advising associate at the Pierre Laclede Honors College. Currently, he works in the College of Arts and Sciences, helping students navigate and carve out their paths.

Perez veered in a few directions before first coming to UMSL as a student. He calls them “a few education hiccups”.

“Like many students, I was an 18-year-old, clueless kid,” Perez said. “I came here with one major and when that didn’t stick – I see now as an advisor – I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. I struggled academically and ended up taking some time off.”

Perez wound up going back to school and was encouraged by a couple of professors to major in English.

“I found a major that was a good fit,” he said. “It just became a much more positive experience after that bump in the road and a little time away.”

His experience has helped him better understand the needs of his students, and he works hard to support them. His dedication to helping UMSL students figure out and reach their goals is what prompted Sylvia Harris, the assistant director of advising in the College of Arts and Sciences, to nominate Perez for the UMSL Hero Award.

“It is difficult to estimate how many students John has advised over the years he’s been at UMSL, but the impact is immense,” Harris said. “John takes a keen interest in the academic and overall well-being of his advisees. As an observer of his work with students, he is kind yet direct, considerate and knowledgeable. I think what students love about him is his quick responses and accessibility to him. John wants his students to access all that UMSL offers in order to remove as many barriers as possible so that they can academically prosper.”

This show of support in the form of an UMSL Hero Award wasn’t something Perez was anticipating. His affinity for UMSL and the students has developed naturally over his long history with the institution.

“I got the email right before I left for break, and it was a very nice surprise,” Perez said. “UMSL is still sort of my home away from home. I started my undergrad before many of our students were born, so I’ve been attached in one way or another. We’re not a traditional four-year school. So I just enjoy helping those types of students who are working and have families. And this office is very dedicated to that.”

Carla Jordan

Carla Jordan began her experience with UMSL as a graduate student, and is now pursuing her PhD in the College of Education and will graduate later this year. But her journey did not happen without challenges. Jordan’s experience has aided her in helping students meet their goals.

While in grad school Jordan was overwhelmed by a number of circumstances. She was undergoing cancer treatment, had a heavy workload and caring for her family. This all made it difficult for her to keep up with her coursework. She didn’t want to continue. One day she broke down in tears and left the classroom.

“I wasn’t coming back,” Jordan said. “I decided I was going to quit. I couldn’t do it.”

But her professor, E. Paulette Isaac-Savage, wasn’t going to let that happen. Isaac-Savage told Jordan to “collect” herself and encouraged her to stay in school.

This press release was produced by the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.