Ask an Advisor

by Dana Myers

Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or life in general. We recently asked some advisors to answer the following questions:  With the upcoming election, discussions of politics are everywhere.  Do you feel comfortable with, or even enjoy, discussing your political opinions?  If so, does it vary by context?  Would you ever discuss your political orientation with students?  If you don’t feel comfortable discussing your political opinions, would you mind telling us a bit about what makes you uncomfortable?

I am very comfortable with discussing all of my political opinions with my friends and colleagues and rather enjoy the discussions. However, if I get the feeling that a colleague is very sensitive or uncomfortable talking about his or her political opinions, then I will usually refrain from political discussions. I feel that political opinions are personal and I would not discuss political opinions with a student unless the student specifically asks my opinion.  Wanda Washington, Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health and Health Professions

My husband and I are on opposite political sides and have learned to “agree to disagree,” so I rarely talk politics at home or work.  My top five StrengthsQuest values include Empathy and Harmony, so I tend to be of the “can’t we all just get along?” mentality!  In my First Year Florida class, we talk about the importance of taking civic responsibility and voting, but do not discuss specific parties or political hot topics.  Sarah Eberhart, College of Health & Human Performance
 

 Yes, I'm actually quite passionate about political issues and I feel very comfortable discussing them.  With students, however, I don't really think it's appropriate.  They will have plenty of time to form their own political opinions in college and as academic advisors I don't think it's our role to try to influence them.  Our Governor, on the other hand, is a different story. There's someone who could use my influence.  ;-)  Kevin Austin, Theatre and Dance, College of Fine Arts

Even though I coordinate this column, I’m going to go ahead and throw in my input on this one!  I find that I sometimes really enjoy listening to others express and debate their political opinions; however, I usually like to lay low in terms of disclosing my own opinions.  Not that I don’t necessarily want others to know what I think, but rather, I’ve found that when I do disclose (usually with close friends and family), arguments tend to ensue… and I can quickly get a bit too riled up!  So I’ve learned it’s better for me to sit back and try to learn from others’ discourse and keep my political opinions to myself.  I adhere to this with students as well, unless I’m specifically asked (which I never have been...).  Dana Myers, School of Art and Art History, College of Fine Arts

Ask an Advisor

by Dana Myers

Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or just life in general. We recently asked some advisors to respond to the following:  In light of much heaviness across the university related to the budget situation, can you share a couple of your favorite activities that help bring some levity and balance to your life?

Some of my favorite activities that help bring levity and balance to my life include focusing on the moment; staying active physically and intellectually; and spending time/laughing with friends, family, and colleagues.  Also, years ago, a student affairs professional told my first year experience class something I still remember:  MOOMBA, which stands for "My Only Obstacle Must Be Attitude.  [Note:  This picture was taken is honor of Dr. Albert Matheny, who is widely recognized for his bowtie-wearing habit!]  Greg Champion, Liberal Arts and Sciences

My life outside of work has gone to the dogs. I started volunteering with Phoenix Animal Rescue about a year ago. And now I spend my weekends helping with adoption events, reviewing adoption applications and arranging home visits. One night a week I take a Phoenix foster dog to obedience school so the dog can become more adoptable. I’m also training my own dogs to compete in agility trials. When I’m not hanging out with the dogs, I’m working on my PhD in Education Technology and watching the Rays play baseball. I love being busy and I especially love that I’m able to donate a little time to a cause I’m passionate about. Catherine Coe, Heavener School of Business

Advising a large number of students can sometimes be a little overwhelming, particularly during advance registration and with other administrative responsibilities. During the evening, I relax by reading an inspirational book or taking a walk in the park. While at work, I try to go outside during my lunch hour to get fresh air and enjoy a change of scenery.  Cynthia Blunt, Industrial and Systems Engineering

One of the activities I found that helps me cope with everything is yoga. It’s practice helps counteract all the sitting I do at work and has made me physically stronger, more flexible, and more peaceful. Also, I have a small dog that suffers from delusions of grandeur. She believes herself to be a Greyhound and races endlessly around the yard (and house) hurtling any obstacles in her path. She is quite entertaining and a good laugh always helps release pent up stress.

Jean Burns, Public Health and Health Professions

Ask an Advisor

by Dana Meyers

Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or just life in general.  We recently asked some advisors to answer the following question:

In recalling spring breaks past, what’s a favorite memory?

During my undergraduate years, I always worked full time at Old Navy to earn extra money.  However, when I was a graduate student, I purposefully took spring break off from both school and work to decompress from the first half of the semester and mentally prepare myself for the second half.  This “time off” included visiting family, planned shopping trips to the outlets with friends, and going to St. Augustine.  Holly Turner Moses, Health Education & Behavior

I was born and raised in Michigan—my grandparents and various relatives lived in the Tampa Bay Area.  Over the years we travelled to Florida as a family for Spring Break.  In high school and college I continued the tradition, driving the distance with best friends.  No Daytona Beach hotels for us, though.  We always stayed with family in Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.  Even though my relatives passed away years ago, it’s still my favorite vacation destination.  Since moving to Florida almost 18 years ago, I’ve been able to visit the area throughout the year—now I don’t have to wait for Spring Break!  Judy Hunter, Journalism and Communications

As a college student, my breaks were usually spent camping with friends as I couldn’t really afford to go on big trips. However, my best Spring Break memories are as a parent, taking trips with my own family. My favorite Spring Break vacation was a week-long cruise with my family, sister, and parents to celebrate my father’s 75^th birthday. Cruise vacations are still one of our favorite ways to spend time together, but it’s a lot harder to coordinate schedules now with adult children who live far away!  Robin Snyder, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

It’s hard to narrow down my favorite memory of SB.  I could go with the cold beaches in mid-March, fighting spiders while kayaking through mangrove tunnels in the Keys, or stumbling across endless bear feces hiking through the Ocala National Forest (I swear they come to the trail just to relieve themselves!)  Without a doubt, my choice is the delightfully empty streets and empty seats that allow us to take a much needed break from the normal rush of campus life.  Barbi Barber, Environmental Engineering Sciences

If you are talking about when I was an undergraduate student... my favorite memory is something that did not happen.  Every spring break, I was invited to play in Madison Square Garden for March Madness NCAA basketball.  [I played cornet and was a member of the Syracuse University Sour Citrus Society . . .  “Go Orange!”]  And every March Madness week, I was unable to go play with the band because of mid-term exams, and the exams that came after March break. It was difficult that I could not attend, but I needed to study and graduate on time!  My advisor use to give me pep talks about this!  Karen Bray, Natural Resources and Environment

Ask an Advisor

by Dana Myers

 Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or just life in general. We recently asked some advisors to answer the following questions:

1.       Do you have any plans for the winter break?   What would be your ideal holiday gift?

For the winter holidays, I’m going to Montreal to see my brother.  We’re going to spend two days in Montreal, two days camping in the Adirondacks, and then head down to Virginia to see our family for a few days.  I have two ideal holiday gifts, one practical and one dream gift.  My practical gift would be a half dozen Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs steamed with Old Bay seasoning.  My dream gift would be pilot lessons.  I’ve always wanted to learn how to fly a small plane and I can’t imagine anything more exhilarating or empowering than being able to fly.  Robbie Shields, School of Business                                             

I make so many plans for the winter break there is no way humanly possible to do them all! At the top of my list, is spending time with family, taking a kayaking trip, playing with my Jack Russell’s Max and Lily, indulging in pleasure reading and “catching up” on sleep!   My ideal gift would be a gift that the entire world could share---compassion and understanding of others and peace on earth.  Anne Marie Mattison, Food and Resource Economics

Over the holidays, I’ll be spending some time visiting family, probably eating more than I should, and regretting said over-indulgence while I work those pounds off.  (It’s a holiday tradition!)  As I believe this is a time for sharing, my ideal gift would be something that could benefit all of humanity, like a German sports car.  This would help foster diplomatic relations between our two countries.  Wait a minute….what did Wehle say?  World peace?  Yeah . . . well, of course that, too.  I meant like –after world peace!     Nicholas M. Mrozinske, Liberal Arts and Sciences

My winter break is going to be a fun filled time of tearing out kitchen cabinets, pulling up old flooring, painting, laying ceramic tile, and installing new cabinets, sink and appliances.  Anyone handy with a hammer?  My ideal gift would be a second advisor for our office!  Other than that, my ideal gift would be just getting together with my family. We're spread out all over the country now, so it would be nice to see everyone again in one place.  Matt Williams, Electrical Engineering

Ask an Advisor

by Dana Myers

Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or just life in general. We recently asked some advisors to answer the following questions:

1.       How do you regularly get to work?  (i.e., walk, bike, drive your car, carpool, bus, etc.)
2.       Have you ever considered a different mode of transportation? 
3.       What makes your trip to work enjoyable and/or productive? 


I typically drive to work.  I have only been living in Gainesville for the past few weeks, so I am still learning the best routes to get around.  I did check the bus system, but it seems overcrowded at this point.  Good music makes the commute bearable!  Dawn Shores, Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, HHP

I drive my minivan after dropping off two of my three children at school. This is the only way for  me to get around, given the distance and need to cart my kids around.  Talking to them about their school day and then listening to the radio after I drop them off makes my trip to and from work more enjoyable.  Meggen Tucker Sixbey, Counseling & Wellness Center

I reside in Citra, which is five miles south of Micanopy, so the best mode of transportation for my daily 54-mile commute is to drive a gas efficient vehicle.  Recently, due to the rise in gas prices, I have considered going horseback down HWY 441; unfortunately, I don’t think  my orange decal would give me authorization to park the horse, thus,  I most likely would return to find a yellow ticket placed underneath the saddle.  My trip to work is very productive--I have been given an opportunity to receive a free workout. Yes, I’m blessed with the opportunity to walk half a mile every day from my sought after parking spot located in the garage across from the police department. This opportunity has allowed me to sweat off any stressful issues that I may have experienced prior to beginning my day. Henry Anderson, Fisher School of Accounting

I drive to work each day, though I will on occasion use the bus if I’m starting my day in the Union or if my car is in the shop. I did try carpooling when I first started working here but it was too inconvenient since there would be at least one day a week I would want to run errands or go to the store directly after work. The radio in my car broke five years ago so on my way to work I use the Voice Memos app on my IPhone to make a list of things I need to do for the day and I talk to friends and family on my way home (hands free!).   Rachel Nelson, CLAS

Ask an Advisor

by Dana Myers

 Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or just life in general. We recently asked some advisors to answer the following questions:

1.       Do you have plans for (or have you already gone on) a summer vacation? 

2.       Where to, and for any particular reason? 
3.       If you don’t have any summer vacation plans, where would you like to go?

Tim and I are taking our girlie, Aurora, on a week-long Alaska cruise to celebrate her 13^th birthday.  On our to-do list: ride a glass train, pan for gold, see the aurora borealis (her namesake), and try to not gain too much weight!  Robin Rossie, College of Education

I'm originally from Michigan, so we plan to head there in August for a quick summer vacation. We're going to visit family and hang out at my Dad's lake house.  My four year old loves to play on the little beach and collect snails from the bottom of the lake.  We also like going to the nearby strawberry farm to pick fresh berries.Christine Richmond, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

I recently returned from the NACADA Region 6 conference in Winnipeg, Canada and I really enjoyed the professional discussions, all the friendly people, and the beautiful city.  By the time you read this, I will be in Salzburg, Austria assisting with the UF in Salzburg study abroad program.  I will then head to Marmaris, Turkey with my family for our summer vacation. Glenn Kepic, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

In addition to attending a family reunion in Osierfield, GA, I will return to Boston in July to complete an accelerated campus based course.  It will be my last residency course for my Doctorate of Education program at Northeastern University!  The city is lovely, but the courses are exhausting. Because I’m not taking a full summer vacation, I’ll be taking a cruise with four of my best friends to Jamaica this fall!  I’ve never been, so I’m super excited. The fact that I get to experience it with the greatest girls I know makes it that much better!  Katrice Graham, School of Business

Ask an Advisor

by Dana Meyers

Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences regarding advising or just life in general. We recently asked some advisors to answer the following questions: Have you ever played a musical instrument of any sort? If so, what? Is there an instrument you wish you could play? What are you currently listening to (i.e., what’s on your i-pod, car radio, cd-player, etc.)?

Yes, I have played piano. It was lots of fun for me, especially during my high school years. I would have loved to learn how to play the violin. In my car I am listening to Jayz and U2! They performed at a concert in Australia this past fall when I visited as a part of Oprah’s Ultimate Adventure and I have absolutely loved them ever since! Liz Kazangu, Liberal Arts and Sciences

I have a guitar and really wish that I had more time to play it. Over the years, I have wanted to learn how to play the cello. It’s such an expressive instrument with a certain depth of emotion that I find irresistible. My iPod is always filled to the brim. Recent stuff in rotation: Grinderman “Grinderman 2,” Dead Weather “Sea of Cowards,” Bob Dylan “The Bootleg Series Vol 9: The Witmark Demos 1962-1964,” Gorillaz “Plastic Beach,” Morningwood “Diamonds and Studs,” Scissor Sisters “Night Work,” Arcade Fire “The Suburbs.” Andrew Wehle, Design, Construction, and Planning

Does playing 1st chair recorder in the third grade count? Sadly, I do not play an instrument; the ability to whistle even escapes me (laughing permitted). Fortunately, I live vicariously through my daughter who is learning to play the piano and trombone. I always wanted to learn how to play the sax--there is something so soulful about it. My listening interests are eclectic. Our mutual colleague Robin Rossie teases me about my country music. What can I say, I enjoy a little twang! Currently I’m alternating between Johnny Cash and EARLY Rolling Stones with a little Sugar Coma on side. Ron Wright, Education

I do play an instrument—the accordion! I started playing a few years ago and love it! Don’t ask me to play a polka, I don’t like them. I play mostly Eastern European, Russian, and Jewish music. I like a lot of world music and recently have been listening to classical guitar and tango. Gregg Henderschiedt, Career Resource Center

I played the mandolin (classical) for about 10 years, took a long break, and picked up again when the director of one of the ensembles here at the School of Music asked me to play it. This past fall, I played with the University Symphony Orchestra at the UFPA in Respighi’s Roman Festivals for the brief mandolin part. I always wanted to play the cello; the cello professor here keeps offering to teach me, so one day it may actually happen. I listen to a lot of piano music, mostly Fazil Say, Alfred Brendel, Vladimir Horowitz, Daniel Barenboim, etc. I-Pod, car radio, and CD-player has pretty much all classical: Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Beethoven, and Vivaldi. Don’t mind some Jack Johnson, Lenny Kravitz, Sister Hazel, and Journey every so often. Mutlu Citim-Kepic, Fine Arts

Ask an Advisor

Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences. We recently asked some advisors to answer the following question: What is the most useful advice you’ve received about being an advisor?

Try to be a good listener and "clue in" on the full range of each student's needs or concerns. Here in Wildlife, I work in partnership with our faculty by encouraging students to seek out mentorship. By listening well, I can direct students toward the kinds of mentoring relationships with faculty that really enhance their education and carry forward into their future. Claire Williams, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

To take the time to listen and understand what the student's needs are and then do my best to help them succeed. Sallie Schattner, Rinker School of Building Construction

Be a good advisor not for accolades or monetary reward, because you will receive none. Be a good advisor because you love to help students succeed in college. If you do get rewarded, it will be years later when an alumnus tells you that you had a positive influence on his or her life. Bon Dewitt, Geomatics

Academic advisors don’t tell students what to do. Academic advisors provide accurate and informative information so students can make the best decisions about their academic , career, and personal goals. Academic advisors help students visualize the possibilities for their future. Renee Clark, School of Business

Remember that people do not always come to ask for your help or a solution to their problems or struggles. Many just want to be able to talk to someone and feel validated that what they are feeling is okay, that it is not out of the ordinary for them to feel stressed or overwhelmed. This helps me keep things in perspective. Robert Kwong, Liberal Arts & Sciences