Kep’s Corner

by Glenn Kepic

Welcome to “Kep’s Corner,” part of The UF Advisor newsletter that will be devoted to professional development topics, announcements, and upcoming events. As the newly elected chair of the UAC's professional development committee, it is my pleasure to provide this information to the UF advising community.

I began advising at UF in 1995 and immediately got involved in the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), the only professional association entirely dedicated to academic advising. The association currently has a membership of over 10,000, making it one of the largest higher education associations in the country. There are many ways to get involved in NACADA, including attending regional and national conferences, conducting advising-related research (and publishing the results), presenting at conferences, and running for one of the many leadership opportunities available. My involvement in NACADA has helped shape my advising philosophy and I have grown from each and every NACADA experience. I have served in several leadership roles and was recently elected to a three year term on the Board of Directors. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the association.

The UF advising community has grown and matured into one of the largest in the country. Buy we can’t be satisfied with simply being one of the largest; we must strive to become one of the best. Through a campus wide commitment to promoting academic advising as a profession, the pursuit of professional development opportunities, and regular and meaningful communication, we can improve the advising experience we provide to our students and gain national recognition as an institution committed to quality advising.

Thanks to the support of key UF administrators, the 4th Annual Advisor’s Workshop will be held on September 11, 2009. We are currently looking for volunteers to organize the event, so please contact me if you would like to serve on the planning committee. Please also consider submitting a proposal for a presentation on an advising topic or program of your choice.