by Kari Ward
The UF Advisor, a new publication created for the UF advising and student affairs community, is designed to highlight the accomplishments of UF academic advisors, encourage their professional development, and disseminate advising-related information. The publication is produced by the Undergraduate Advising Council’s (UAC) Communications Committee with assistance from the Web, Data & Communication Services department in the Warrington College of Business Administration.
The UF Advisor encourages readers to submit articles and ideas on advising-related topics, such as nominations for our advisor spotlight column, workshop and presentation summaries, advising knowledge and resources, and information on relevant advising news and events to kari.ward@cba.ufl.edu.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Advisor Spotlight: Chris Holyoak Named UF Advisor of the Year
by Jill Lingard
Chris Holyoak was recently recognized as UF’s Advisor of the Year for 2008-2009. She is an Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, where she has served for nearly 10 years. With B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from UF, she considers herself a true-blue Gator. Chris graciously agreed to share some of her advising experiences with UF’s advising community.
What’s your current position at UF?
My official title is Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science. My B.S. and M.Ed. degrees are from UF and I consider myself a true-blue Gator. I’ve been in this position nearly ten years. Prior to this position, I spent a year and a half as the academic advisor for freshmen and sophomores in the College of Health and Human Performance.
Describe the population of UF students you currently work with.
I work with undergraduates majoring in Microbiology and Cell Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most students are pre-med, pre-dental, or plan to pursue graduate studies in cell and molecular biology. They are a smart, organized, focused, and task-oriented population.
What do you like most/least about your job?
What I like best is the satisfaction I get when I see students that I have mentored graduate. Our students have a very high success rate in gaining entry into professional and graduate schools. Seeing these talented and disciplined students graduate, and knowing that I had some role in their success, is very gratifying.
What I like the least is dealing with students who either fail, or are on the brink of failure. Sometimes these are heart-breaking situations, and sometimes all I can offer is sympathy. I encourage these students to keep trying, because I have seen some come back from failure and succeed.
What keeps you motivated?
I am in the unique position of playing a significant role in shaping students’ careers. I am privileged to have such an important job at the university. Knowing that I have been entrusted with such responsibility keeps me motivated.
The peaks and valleys of the advising calendar year can be stressful so it’s important to pace myself, be fit, get plenty of rest, graze on food all day for energy, and not take myself so seriously that I forget to laugh and have fun. During lunch hour, I almost always take a long walk around campus or at the stadium with my friend or work out at Living Well. This gives us both a chance to burn off the morning stress, hash out problems, blow off steam, and get ready for the afternoon schedule.
Describe something related to advising at UF that you wish you could change.
I’d like to see a system in place that streamlines academic support services for students. I see too many students having to run all over campus to find the right person to see about their problem. I can foresee the day when a student seeing me for an appointment can also drop a class, register, pay fees, complete a petition, change a major, or have a hold lifted without ever having to leave my office to see another person on campus for additional paperwork and approval.
What’s the best thing a student ever told you?
This comment by one of my graduates describes what it means to me to be selected as the UF Advisor of the Year: “I think most people view what they do every day as just a job. Miss Holyoak isn't one of those people.” Once in a while, what we do actually gets through to our students and they value our honest advice. This student was dismissed from UF as a sophomore, attended a community college and earned his AA degree, was readmitted to UF in our major, earned all A’s and graduated, attended and graduated from medical school, and is currently doing his residency in Emergency Medicine. He deserves most of the credit for his accomplishments, but telling me how much he credited my help was one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had as an advisor.
What advice would you give a brand new advisor at UF?
Put yourself in the place of the students you are advising to understand how it feels to sit across from a total stranger who controls much of their future at UF. Be factual, consistent, and knowledgeable of policies, take the time to listen, be flexible, and treat each case as if it’s one of your family members looking for advice. Never let a student leave your office without giving them a hand shake and a smile. New hires should also ask an experienced advisor to serve as a mentor. A mentor will help the advisor avoid land mines and teach them who to call when problems arise. And finally, the new advisor should set up meetings with teaching faculty to get their input.
What advice do you give a brand new student at UF?
Pace yourself with studies and personal activities. Treat being a student as your full time job, which requires you to be organized, competent, and reliable. Introduce yourself to your instructors, keep up with your work, and if you begin to have difficulties with a class or have a problem, see your instructor and advisor right away. Don’t be afraid to seek help. Have fun within reason and make adult decisions because what you do now could have a lasting impact on your future plans. Make an appointment with your advisor, introduce yourself, and get a program designed. Make sure you go to at least one football game, volunteer at the homeless shelter, say something nice to at least one person every day, and always do the best you can.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
Away from work I love to read, go to movies and out to dinner, work in my garden, take cruises, go to the beach, go to Gator football games, and visit family and friends. I have a very special man friend, and two cats Sammie and Chunky Punky. My man friend has a basset hound named Walter and a cat named Junior, so they are all part of the group. We spend a fortune on dog and cat treats and kitty litter. I also love to travel and explore national parks and hike their trails. I’ve been to just about every national park on the west coast. Three of the most magnificent sights I have ever seen are Niagara Falls, a sunrise over Lake Powell in Arizona, and sunset at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
What’s your secret for balancing your work and home lives?
My secret is to work hard all day and make sure I have something fun and relaxing to do at home. I compartmentalize. There is the work compartment and the non-work compartment. Time is allotted to each, and I don’t allow them to encroach upon one another.
Chris Holyoak was recently recognized as UF’s Advisor of the Year for 2008-2009. She is an Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, where she has served for nearly 10 years. With B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from UF, she considers herself a true-blue Gator. Chris graciously agreed to share some of her advising experiences with UF’s advising community.
What’s your current position at UF?
My official title is Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science. My B.S. and M.Ed. degrees are from UF and I consider myself a true-blue Gator. I’ve been in this position nearly ten years. Prior to this position, I spent a year and a half as the academic advisor for freshmen and sophomores in the College of Health and Human Performance.
Describe the population of UF students you currently work with.
I work with undergraduates majoring in Microbiology and Cell Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most students are pre-med, pre-dental, or plan to pursue graduate studies in cell and molecular biology. They are a smart, organized, focused, and task-oriented population.
What do you like most/least about your job?
What I like best is the satisfaction I get when I see students that I have mentored graduate. Our students have a very high success rate in gaining entry into professional and graduate schools. Seeing these talented and disciplined students graduate, and knowing that I had some role in their success, is very gratifying.
What I like the least is dealing with students who either fail, or are on the brink of failure. Sometimes these are heart-breaking situations, and sometimes all I can offer is sympathy. I encourage these students to keep trying, because I have seen some come back from failure and succeed.
What keeps you motivated?
I am in the unique position of playing a significant role in shaping students’ careers. I am privileged to have such an important job at the university. Knowing that I have been entrusted with such responsibility keeps me motivated.
The peaks and valleys of the advising calendar year can be stressful so it’s important to pace myself, be fit, get plenty of rest, graze on food all day for energy, and not take myself so seriously that I forget to laugh and have fun. During lunch hour, I almost always take a long walk around campus or at the stadium with my friend or work out at Living Well. This gives us both a chance to burn off the morning stress, hash out problems, blow off steam, and get ready for the afternoon schedule.
Describe something related to advising at UF that you wish you could change.
I’d like to see a system in place that streamlines academic support services for students. I see too many students having to run all over campus to find the right person to see about their problem. I can foresee the day when a student seeing me for an appointment can also drop a class, register, pay fees, complete a petition, change a major, or have a hold lifted without ever having to leave my office to see another person on campus for additional paperwork and approval.
What’s the best thing a student ever told you?
This comment by one of my graduates describes what it means to me to be selected as the UF Advisor of the Year: “I think most people view what they do every day as just a job. Miss Holyoak isn't one of those people.” Once in a while, what we do actually gets through to our students and they value our honest advice. This student was dismissed from UF as a sophomore, attended a community college and earned his AA degree, was readmitted to UF in our major, earned all A’s and graduated, attended and graduated from medical school, and is currently doing his residency in Emergency Medicine. He deserves most of the credit for his accomplishments, but telling me how much he credited my help was one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had as an advisor.
What advice would you give a brand new advisor at UF?
Put yourself in the place of the students you are advising to understand how it feels to sit across from a total stranger who controls much of their future at UF. Be factual, consistent, and knowledgeable of policies, take the time to listen, be flexible, and treat each case as if it’s one of your family members looking for advice. Never let a student leave your office without giving them a hand shake and a smile. New hires should also ask an experienced advisor to serve as a mentor. A mentor will help the advisor avoid land mines and teach them who to call when problems arise. And finally, the new advisor should set up meetings with teaching faculty to get their input.
What advice do you give a brand new student at UF?
Pace yourself with studies and personal activities. Treat being a student as your full time job, which requires you to be organized, competent, and reliable. Introduce yourself to your instructors, keep up with your work, and if you begin to have difficulties with a class or have a problem, see your instructor and advisor right away. Don’t be afraid to seek help. Have fun within reason and make adult decisions because what you do now could have a lasting impact on your future plans. Make an appointment with your advisor, introduce yourself, and get a program designed. Make sure you go to at least one football game, volunteer at the homeless shelter, say something nice to at least one person every day, and always do the best you can.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
Away from work I love to read, go to movies and out to dinner, work in my garden, take cruises, go to the beach, go to Gator football games, and visit family and friends. I have a very special man friend, and two cats Sammie and Chunky Punky. My man friend has a basset hound named Walter and a cat named Junior, so they are all part of the group. We spend a fortune on dog and cat treats and kitty litter. I also love to travel and explore national parks and hike their trails. I’ve been to just about every national park on the west coast. Three of the most magnificent sights I have ever seen are Niagara Falls, a sunrise over Lake Powell in Arizona, and sunset at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
What’s your secret for balancing your work and home lives?
My secret is to work hard all day and make sure I have something fun and relaxing to do at home. I compartmentalize. There is the work compartment and the non-work compartment. Time is allotted to each, and I don’t allow them to encroach upon one another.
What's New at Preview?
by Mae Kiggins
Every year the Preview freshman orientation program helps thousands of excited, energetic and sometimes nervous students prepare for a new life at UF. This year Preview has gotten even better, thanks to UF academic advisors. Rachel Nelson, an advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), along with fellow CLAS colleagues Lynn O’Sickey, Jeff Morales, and Danae Simonsen, have created a new presentation which is now being incorporated into the regular Preview format.
Entitled “Making the Most of Your UF Degree,” this thirty minute, interactive workshop has students sharing their ideas about how to enhance their academic experience rather than solely focusing on degree requirements or preparing for medical or law school. The presentation encourages students to make intentional choices and to take advantage of curriculum flexibility when choosing electives. With the ability to apply up to 45 credit hours of AP/IB course work toward their UF degree, students have even more opportunities for exploration and enhancement. Formal options like minors or double majors and informal options like skill development, academic research, and study abroad opportunities are also discussed as possibilities for degree enhancement.
We cannot talk about Preview without mentioning the academic advisors who signed up to serve as Preview advisors this year: Sarah Eberhart, Kim Fugate, Derek Guffin, Melissa Jones, Becca Kidwell, and Martha McDonald. This is the first year that UF advisors have been given this opportunity. Here is what a few of them have to say about taking part in Preview. Sarah Eberhart, from the College of Health and Human Performance, says “Working Preview is a great way to get to know the issues/concerns of incoming freshman and to encourage them to take an active interest in their college and real world work experiences. This is such an exciting time in their lives and I just enjoy being a part of it.” Derek Guffin from the School of Business says that “The most rewarding part of being a Preview advisor is seeing the look on students’ faces after they have finished Preview and realizing that I played a small role in their successful transition. It’s a privilege to serve UF in this capacity.”
If you are interested in serving as Preview advisor next year, contact Lynn O’Sickey. Twelve-month faculty/staff who become Preview advisors are compensated with expense money, which can be used toward attendance at a professional conference, seminar, or other professional development opportunity.
Every year the Preview freshman orientation program helps thousands of excited, energetic and sometimes nervous students prepare for a new life at UF. This year Preview has gotten even better, thanks to UF academic advisors. Rachel Nelson, an advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), along with fellow CLAS colleagues Lynn O’Sickey, Jeff Morales, and Danae Simonsen, have created a new presentation which is now being incorporated into the regular Preview format.
Entitled “Making the Most of Your UF Degree,” this thirty minute, interactive workshop has students sharing their ideas about how to enhance their academic experience rather than solely focusing on degree requirements or preparing for medical or law school. The presentation encourages students to make intentional choices and to take advantage of curriculum flexibility when choosing electives. With the ability to apply up to 45 credit hours of AP/IB course work toward their UF degree, students have even more opportunities for exploration and enhancement. Formal options like minors or double majors and informal options like skill development, academic research, and study abroad opportunities are also discussed as possibilities for degree enhancement.
We cannot talk about Preview without mentioning the academic advisors who signed up to serve as Preview advisors this year: Sarah Eberhart, Kim Fugate, Derek Guffin, Melissa Jones, Becca Kidwell, and Martha McDonald. This is the first year that UF advisors have been given this opportunity. Here is what a few of them have to say about taking part in Preview. Sarah Eberhart, from the College of Health and Human Performance, says “Working Preview is a great way to get to know the issues/concerns of incoming freshman and to encourage them to take an active interest in their college and real world work experiences. This is such an exciting time in their lives and I just enjoy being a part of it.” Derek Guffin from the School of Business says that “The most rewarding part of being a Preview advisor is seeing the look on students’ faces after they have finished Preview and realizing that I played a small role in their successful transition. It’s a privilege to serve UF in this capacity.”
If you are interested in serving as Preview advisor next year, contact Lynn O’Sickey. Twelve-month faculty/staff who become Preview advisors are compensated with expense money, which can be used toward attendance at a professional conference, seminar, or other professional development opportunity.
Undergraduate Advising Council Redefines its Role
by Kari Ward
Over the past year, the Undergraduate Advising Council (UAC) has redefined its role on the UF campus. The committee, guided by business advisor Erica Byrnes, has clarified its purpose, restructured its membership, established a committee web site, assumed responsibility for the UF advising web site and UAC list serve, and developed three internal operating committees.
The revamped mission of the UAC is more student- and advisor-centered. In essence, its goal is to foster the success of our undergraduates through effective academic advisement. To achieve this mission, the UAC meets once a month to discuss and make recommendations on UF advising policy and procedures; to encourage colleges and advisors to consistently apply UF advising policies whenever possible; to share advising knowledge and proven strategies for working with students; and to promote the professional development of UF academic advisors. The UAC continues to provide regular reports to UF’s academic deans. To insure that all colleges have an equal voice on policy matters, official voting membership is now limited to one representative from each college; however, all UF advisors are strongly encouraged to attend as general members and actively participate in UAC meetings.
To help fulfill their revamped mission, the UAC formed three internal committees: The campus affairs committee, led by engineering advisor Jeff Citty, which deals with the promotion of UF advisors’ participation in the campus community and raising awareness of advising issues to other entities on campus. The professional development committee, headed by CLAS advisor Glenn Kepic, which will assess the professional development needs of UF advisors and create professional development opportunities for them. The communications committee, chaired by business advisor Kari Ward, developed the blog newsletter you are now reading and will also work to expand the UF advising web site.
Over the past year, the Undergraduate Advising Council (UAC) has redefined its role on the UF campus. The committee, guided by business advisor Erica Byrnes, has clarified its purpose, restructured its membership, established a committee web site, assumed responsibility for the UF advising web site and UAC list serve, and developed three internal operating committees.
The revamped mission of the UAC is more student- and advisor-centered. In essence, its goal is to foster the success of our undergraduates through effective academic advisement. To achieve this mission, the UAC meets once a month to discuss and make recommendations on UF advising policy and procedures; to encourage colleges and advisors to consistently apply UF advising policies whenever possible; to share advising knowledge and proven strategies for working with students; and to promote the professional development of UF academic advisors. The UAC continues to provide regular reports to UF’s academic deans. To insure that all colleges have an equal voice on policy matters, official voting membership is now limited to one representative from each college; however, all UF advisors are strongly encouraged to attend as general members and actively participate in UAC meetings.
To help fulfill their revamped mission, the UAC formed three internal committees: The campus affairs committee, led by engineering advisor Jeff Citty, which deals with the promotion of UF advisors’ participation in the campus community and raising awareness of advising issues to other entities on campus. The professional development committee, headed by CLAS advisor Glenn Kepic, which will assess the professional development needs of UF advisors and create professional development opportunities for them. The communications committee, chaired by business advisor Kari Ward, developed the blog newsletter you are now reading and will also work to expand the UF advising web site.
Appreciative Advising and Metacognition
by Karen Ehlers
Last month, I attended the NACADA 2009 South Central Region 7 Conference. I was thrilled because it gave me the chance to explore and experience the wonderful city of New Orleans. And I truly loved the region’s theme, “Louisiana Lagniappe: Offering a Little Something Extra to Spice Up Your Advising Menu.” The sessions I attended definitely lived up to this notion. My favorite was delivered by the conference’s keynote speaker, Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, Director of the Center for Academic Success and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Louisiana State University.
Dr. McGuire has developed an advising strategy which combines Bloom’s theoretical model of appreciative advising (2008) with metacognition theory by Flavell (1979). Bloom’s appreciative advising model features six phases: 1) Disarm, or diffuse students’ defensiveness; 2) discover by delving into students’ strengths; 3) dream by helping students’ imagine possibilities for themselves; 4) design by assisting students with the creation of a plan, 5) deliver by helping students develop strategies for carrying out their plans, and 6) don’t settle, or in other words, encourage students to aim for 100% mastery.
Dr. McGuire likes this model, but felt it came up short in phases 4-6 so she added another phase called metacognition, which focuses on academics. Specifically, Dr. McGuire and the Center for Academic Success created the study cycle and the intense study session which students use in conjunction with the appreciative advising sessions in phases 4–6. The study cycle consists of three phases: 1) previewing chapters before class; 2) actively participating in class; and 3) reviewing and processing class notes. The intense study session, which lasts from 30-75 minutes, involves a 2-5 minute goal-setting session at the beginning, followed by 30-50 minutes of active study, including reading, making flash cards, creating diagrams or outlines, and working problems without looking at notes. The intense study session is concluded with a five minute break and then a five minute review. McGuire recommends that students complete this process 2-4 times per day.
Personally, I have not yet mastered Bloom’s appreciative advising model given the typical 30 minute or less-once a year interactions we UF advisors tend to have, but I have been successful in creating more meaningful relationships using at least the first four phases. I hope you find Dr. McGuire’s expansion of Bloom’s theory as exciting as I do. In an atmosphere where advising often takes on a form similar to speed dating, I am hopeful this combination will help me put into practice ALL 6 phases of appreciative advising so that I can create more meaningful relationships with students and, more importantly, help students become more empowered and self-directed.
Bloom, J. L., Huston, B. L., & He, Y. (2008). The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34 (10), 906-911.
McGuire, Saundra Yancy. (2009, May). Appreciative Advising and Metacognition: An Unbeatable Combination for Student Success. Presentation given at the NACADA 2009 South Central Region 7 Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Last month, I attended the NACADA 2009 South Central Region 7 Conference. I was thrilled because it gave me the chance to explore and experience the wonderful city of New Orleans. And I truly loved the region’s theme, “Louisiana Lagniappe: Offering a Little Something Extra to Spice Up Your Advising Menu.” The sessions I attended definitely lived up to this notion. My favorite was delivered by the conference’s keynote speaker, Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, Director of the Center for Academic Success and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Louisiana State University.
Dr. McGuire has developed an advising strategy which combines Bloom’s theoretical model of appreciative advising (2008) with metacognition theory by Flavell (1979). Bloom’s appreciative advising model features six phases: 1) Disarm, or diffuse students’ defensiveness; 2) discover by delving into students’ strengths; 3) dream by helping students’ imagine possibilities for themselves; 4) design by assisting students with the creation of a plan, 5) deliver by helping students develop strategies for carrying out their plans, and 6) don’t settle, or in other words, encourage students to aim for 100% mastery.
Dr. McGuire likes this model, but felt it came up short in phases 4-6 so she added another phase called metacognition, which focuses on academics. Specifically, Dr. McGuire and the Center for Academic Success created the study cycle and the intense study session which students use in conjunction with the appreciative advising sessions in phases 4–6. The study cycle consists of three phases: 1) previewing chapters before class; 2) actively participating in class; and 3) reviewing and processing class notes. The intense study session, which lasts from 30-75 minutes, involves a 2-5 minute goal-setting session at the beginning, followed by 30-50 minutes of active study, including reading, making flash cards, creating diagrams or outlines, and working problems without looking at notes. The intense study session is concluded with a five minute break and then a five minute review. McGuire recommends that students complete this process 2-4 times per day.
Personally, I have not yet mastered Bloom’s appreciative advising model given the typical 30 minute or less-once a year interactions we UF advisors tend to have, but I have been successful in creating more meaningful relationships using at least the first four phases. I hope you find Dr. McGuire’s expansion of Bloom’s theory as exciting as I do. In an atmosphere where advising often takes on a form similar to speed dating, I am hopeful this combination will help me put into practice ALL 6 phases of appreciative advising so that I can create more meaningful relationships with students and, more importantly, help students become more empowered and self-directed.
Bloom, J. L., Huston, B. L., & He, Y. (2008). The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34 (10), 906-911.
McGuire, Saundra Yancy. (2009, May). Appreciative Advising and Metacognition: An Unbeatable Combination for Student Success. Presentation given at the NACADA 2009 South Central Region 7 Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Kep’s Corner
by Glenn KepicWelcome 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.
Advisor Toolbox
Helpful advising resources to enhance your interactions with students.
Calculating Plus and Minus Grades Quickly and Easily
Developed by UF advisors, this calculator can sum grades from both the old UF grade system and the new minus grade system. The site also features a conversion table for old and new grade values, plus links to UF grading policies.
Helping UF Students Weather the Tough Economic Climate
The UF Career Resource Center (CRC) posted this open letter to students on their website, providing them with resources and direct strategies for increasing their employment prospects during these challenging economic times.
Common Reading Program: The Devil’s Highway
If you’re teaching First Year Florida and want to incorporate the Common Reading Book into your course, check out the UF Dean of Students’ Common Reading Program webpage. There, you’ll find a list of related resources and a useful classroom discussion guide.
Calculating Plus and Minus Grades Quickly and Easily
Developed by UF advisors, this calculator can sum grades from both the old UF grade system and the new minus grade system. The site also features a conversion table for old and new grade values, plus links to UF grading policies.
Helping UF Students Weather the Tough Economic Climate
The UF Career Resource Center (CRC) posted this open letter to students on their website, providing them with resources and direct strategies for increasing their employment prospects during these challenging economic times.
Common Reading Program: The Devil’s HighwayIf you’re teaching First Year Florida and want to incorporate the Common Reading Book into your course, check out the UF Dean of Students’ Common Reading Program webpage. There, you’ll find a list of related resources and a useful classroom discussion guide.
Ask an Advisor
by Ella Tabares
Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences. The UF Advisor staff recently asked a group of advisors to answer the following question in 10 words or less: How do you define yourself as an academic advisor?
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I provide students with information needed to achieve their goals. Wanda Washington, Nursing
Our “Ask an Advisor” column allows UF advisors to share their viewpoint and experiences. The UF Advisor staff recently asked a group of advisors to answer the following question in 10 words or less: How do you define yourself as an academic advisor?
I can listen well and respond appropriately to students. Dr. Albert Matheny,CLAS
Empowering students to succeed by providing resources for informed decision-making. Derek Guffin, Business
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I provide students with information needed to achieve their goals. Wanda Washington, Nursing
I help students identify their interests and develop their talents. Martha McDonald, Materials Science & Engineering
For the next issue, we’ll ask UF advisors to answer the following question in 25 words or less: “How will you stay energized during the fall drop/add registration period?” Please e-mail your answer to Ella Tabares by August 10th.
Toby’s Tips: Improve Your ISIS Admin IQ
by Toby Shorey Did you know that if you place your cursor over certain links in the left column when you look at students’ records on ISIS Admin that a corresponding jump key will pop up? You can type that letter/number combination in the “JUMP” field on the top left side of the screen and jump directly to that screen from anywhere within ISISAdmin without having to click on the menu item.
Random Advising Trivia
Facts.org has changed the online transient form so that the GatorLink username used for the student ID can now be up to 40 characters. Thanks to Robin Rossie for this submission!
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