Curriculum Vitae

Michael T. Dial, M.Ed. · University of South Carolina

Current Position

Senior Program Manager, Advising Technology Innovation & Assessment Dec 2024 – Present

University of South Carolina, University Advising Center

Oversees the strategic implementation and administration of campus-wide advising technologies, serving as program owner for CRM Advise and other key advising systems. Collaborates with stakeholders across academic advising, student services, and technology teams to ensure effective deployment, training, and utilization of tools including DegreeWorks and referral management systems. Leads initiatives to streamline advising workflows, improve registration processes, and support advisor training.

Education

M.Ed., Higher Education and Student Affairs

University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

B.S., Recreation Administration

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Administrative Experience

Associate Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising Mar 2019 – Dec 2024

University of South Carolina, University Advising Center

  • Led recruitment, hiring, and training of a growing team of advisors through a 200%+ staff and program expansion while improving key outcomes.
  • Directed creation and implementation of an integrated database to streamline training, technology access, and assessment.
  • Oversaw enhanced implementation of EAB Navigate, DegreeWorks, and other advising technologies.
  • Leveraged Power BI to create responsive dashboards visualizing key advising metrics for data-driven leadership decision-making.
  • Developed the University of South Carolina Model of Comprehensive Academic Advising.
  • Supervised the Undergraduate Academic Advising team of 100+ advisors and one Assistant Director.
  • Earned 2020 NACADA Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Advising Programs.
Assistant Director for Peer Leadership Aug 2016 – Mar 2019

University of South Carolina, University 101 Programs

  • Recruited, trained, matched, and supported 230+ undergraduate student leaders who co-taught UNIV 101, supporting 4,500+ first-year students.
  • Grew peer leader nominations by 166% and increased new applications by 20% through new recruitment initiatives.
  • Won 2018 NASPA Gold Award in the Student Union, Student Activities, Greek Life, Leadership, and Related Excellence category.
Coordinator of Early Intervention Dec 2014 – Jul 2016

University of South Carolina, Student Success Center

  • Managed Success Connect, an award-winning retention initiative recognized as a 2015 University Business Model of Excellence.
  • Used predictive analytics to identify high-risk students, achieving a 16% higher retention rate for engaged students.
  • Achieved 39% growth in faculty referrals for at-risk students in 2014–2015.
  • Played an integral role in the original rollout of EAB Navigate 360 for Student Success Center initiatives.

Teaching Experience

University of South Carolina

Academic Recovery: Supporting Students on Academic Probation Continuing Education · Instructor, Fall 2020, Fall 2023
EDLP 520 — The Teacher as Manager Instructor, Fall 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
UNIV 101 — The Student in the University Instructor, Fall 2015 – Fall 2023 (multiple sections)

Florida Atlantic University — Office of Appreciative Education

Appreciative Advising Online Seminar Instructor, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2023

Publications

Edited Books

  • Campbell, S., Dial, M., & Taylor, C. (2023). Academic Advising Administration: Essential Knowledge & Skills for the 21st Century, 2nd Edition. Routledge.
  • Dial, M. T. (2022). Academic Recovery: Supporting Students on Academic Probation. National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition.

Book Chapters

  • Campbell, S. M., Stevens Taylor, C., & Dial, M. (2024). Concluding thoughts and future directions for research and scholarship. In Campbell, Taylor, & Dial (Eds.), Academic Advising Administration (2nd ed., pp. 359–366). Routledge.
  • Morris, C., McKeown, P., & Dial, M. (2024). Leading and creating a culture of authenticity. In Campbell, Taylor, & Dial (Eds.), Academic Advising Administration (2nd ed., pp. 345–358). Routledge.
  • Robinson, C., & Dial, M. (2024). Advisor retention and intentional career paths. In Campbell, Taylor, & Dial (Eds.), Academic Advising Administration (2nd ed., pp. 318–331). Routledge.
  • Campbell, S. M., Stevens Taylor, C., & Dial, M. (2024). Introduction. In Campbell, Taylor, & Dial (Eds.), Academic Advising Administration (2nd ed., pp. 1–8). Routledge.
  • Dial, M. T. (2022). What we know about students on probation and supporting them. In Dial (Ed.), Academic Recovery (pp. 1–14). National Resource Center.
  • Dial, M. T. & McKeown, P. (2022). Early alert and academic intervention. In Dial (Ed.), Academic Recovery (pp. 83–102). National Resource Center.
  • Gebauer, R., & Dial, M. T. (2022). Intentionality and integration within academic probation. In Dial (Ed.), Academic Recovery (pp. 161–170). National Resource Center.
  • Robinson, C., Dial, M., & Bouknight, J. (2021). Organizational restructure toward improved equity for all undergraduates. In Fountain, C. (Ed.), Academic Advising as a Tool for Student Success and Educational Equity. National Resource Center.
  • Newton, D., Bouknight, J., & Dial, M. (2020). Academic planning and advisement. In Van Haren, C. & Friedman, D. B. (Eds.), Transitions (pp. 83–89). University of South Carolina.
  • Dial, M., Estrada, S. M., & Young, D. G. (2019). Discussion and implications. In D. G. Young (Ed.), 2017 National Survey on The First-Year Experience (Research Report No. 9). National Resource Center.
  • Dial, M. (2018). Group work. In Van Haren, C. & Friedman, D. B. (Eds.), Transitions (pp. 83–89). University of South Carolina.
  • Dial, M., & Winfield, J. (2018). Goal setting. In Van Haren, C. & Friedman, D. B. (Eds.), Transitions (pp. 77–81). University of South Carolina.

Refereed Journal Articles

  • Dial, M., Bouknight, J., & McKeown, P. (2021). Appreciative onboarding and professional development of academic advisors. Journal of Appreciative Education, 2(1), 47–61.
  • Moschella, E., Bouknight, J., Dial, M., & Winfield, J. (2015). Connecting students to success: A comprehensive approach to retention and persistence. In S. Whalen (Ed.), Proceedings of the 11th National Symposium on Student Retention (pp. 160–171).
  • Dial, M. T. (2015). Success Connect: An appreciative approach to early alert at a large flagship university. Journal of Appreciative Education, 2(2), 24–33.

Articles in Newsletters & Practice Journals

  • Dial, M. (2024). Without governance, there is no vision: The case for leadership in student success. eCampusNews.
  • Dial, M. (2024). Why digital literacy is critical for academic advisors in 2024. eCampusNews.
  • Dial, M. (2023). On cruelty-free advising: An organizational philosophy. Academic Advising Today, 46(3).
  • Dial, M., & McKeown, P. (2020, December). Academic early alert and intervention: Why academic advisors are best suited to intervene with at-risk students. Academic Advising Today, 43(4).
  • Dial, M., & McKeown, P. (2019). Beyond faculty referrals: Advisor facilitated early intervention. Academic Advising Today, 42(4).
  • Dial, M. (2019). Academic recovery: The first-year seminar for students on probation. E-Source for College Transitions, 16(3), 10–12.
  • Dial, M., & Stuart, J. (2018). Training first-year seminar peer leaders through extended orientation. E-Source for College Transitions, 15(2).
  • Dial, M., & Winfield, J. (2016). Digitally connecting students to success: Engaging first-year students through intrusive email outreach. E-Source for College Transitions, 13(2).

Selected Conference Presentations

Pre-Conference Workshops

  • Dial, M., & McKeown, P. (2022, February). Developing Academic Intervention Initiatives to Enhance Student Success and Persistence. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Orlando, FL.
  • Dial, M., & McKeown, P. (2021, March). Designing Early Alert Programs Aimed at Fostering Student Success and Persistence. NASPA Virtual Conference.
  • Dial, M., & McKeown, P. (2021, February). Designing Early Alert Programs. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Virtual.
  • Dial, M., & McKeown, P. (2020, February). Designing Early Alert Programs. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Washington, D.C.

National

  • Dial, M. (2021). Academic Recovery: Designing a Seminar to Support Students on Probation. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Virtual.
  • Dial, M., & Greene, M. (2020, February). Assisting Students on Probation: The Seminar as Intervention. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Washington, D.C.
  • Dial, M., & Young, D. (2019, October). Leveraging Early Alert Programs to Foster Cross-Campus Collaborations. NACADA Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
  • Dial, M. (2019, October). Academic Recovery: Leveraging the First-Year Seminar as an Intervention. NACADA Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
  • Dial, M., & Young, D. (2019, March). Leveraging Early Alert Programs for Belonging and Student Success. NASPA Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Dial, M. (2019, February). Academic Recovery: Designing Intervention Seminars for First-Year Students on Probation. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Las Vegas, NV.
  • Dial, M. (2018, November). The University 101 Peer Leader Program. National Mentoring Symposium, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Dial, M. (2018, March). The University 101 Peer Leader Program. NASPA Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Dial, M., & Stuart, S. (2018, February). Extended Orientation for Peer Educator Development: The University 101 Model. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, San Antonio, TX.
  • Dial, M. (2015, January). Success Connect: An Appreciative Approach to Early Intervention. Appreciative Education Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC.

National Service

NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising

  • Member, Publications Advisory Board (2020–2024)
  • Reviewer, Annual Conference Session Proposals (2020)

National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience

  • Reviewer, Outstanding First-Year Advocate Award (2019, 2020)
  • Program Proposal Reviewer, Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience (2017–2019)

Editorial & Review Boards

  • Building Bridges for Student Success: A Sourcebook for Colleges and Universities (2018–Present)
  • E-Source for Student Transitions (Jul 2017 – May 2020)

Honors & Recognition

  • NACADA Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Advising Programs (2020)
  • NASPA Gold Award, Student Union, Leadership & Related Excellence (2018)
  • University Business Model of Excellence — Success Connect (2015, National)
  • M. Stuart Hunter Award for Outstanding Teaching in University 101 — Nominee (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
  • Stand Up Carolina Hero (2016)

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising