Advisor Spotlight: 2011-12 University of Florida Professional Advisor (and Pizza Maker) of the Year: Erica Byrnes

by Jill Lingard 
Erica Byrnes, Associate Director of Advising in the Heavener School of Business, was recognized as UF’s Professional Advisor of the Year last April.  Joann Mossa was named Faculty Advisor of the Year, and we hope to feature her in our next issue.  Given the favorable response to the ‘Inside the Advisors Studio’ interview with Albert Matheny at our Advising Conference this spring, I thought we’d take a similar approach with Erica and ask her some off-beat, ‘Lipton-esque’ style questions.   Editor’s note:  Erica was just honored at the NACADA national conference with an Outstanding Academic Advising Administrator’s award, as well!  Also, a special thanks to Jill for writing this article before her departure from UF!

What was your favorite subject in elementary school? 

I liked social studies, mainly because I really enjoyed learning about different places and cultures.  You didn’t ask this, but my worst subject by far was penmanship and I often got in trouble for talking in class.

Does anything stand out in your childhood that signaled a future career in higher ed?

Yes.  The Ninja Stick of Death.  When I was little, my brother (who’s four years younger than me) and I used to play ‘school.’  I was always the teacher and a strict disciplinarian.  When I asked him questions that he got wrong, I’d hit him on the wrist with a stick.  He nicknamed it ‘The Ninja Stick of Death’ and we both laughed about it later when we found it during a move.

Did you ever change your college major?

No, but I added a second one.  I had been interested in studying psychology since high school and never veered from that path; however, I took a philosophy course during my second term to meet a humanities requirement and LOVED it.  It was incredibly challenging, but it was a challenge that fascinated me.  I decided that studying philosophy would help develop the analytical side of my brain and it really has.  Score one for general education! 

Did you have a favorite college professor or mentor?

I interned in UF’s Counseling Center and had an incredible mentor there named LaTrelle Jackson.  She had this uncanny ability to be soft-spoken and firm at the same time and was gifted at delivering difficult news in the most growth-oriented way possible.  The wisdom she imparted is still very useful to me today.

How did you decide to get into this academic advising gig?

For years I was on a clinical psychology track, but a couple internships taught me that the medical setting and biological model were not a good fit for me…nor was working with younger kids or older adults.  When I reflected upon my UF Counseling Center work experiences, I realized that I really loved working with college students on the concerns typical to that age group…especially career development issues.  

What’s wrong with college students these days?   What’s right with them?

They lack accountability.  Many of them seem hard-wired to not understand causality.  They’ve grown up in a very sheltered culture where everyone wins an award.  As a result, they’re often uncomfortable feeling the whole range of normal human emotions because they’ve been protected from them their whole lives.  On the ‘What’s right?’ side, I’ve never seen a generation so motivated to pursue avenues they’re really passionate about and determined to change the world.  

You supervise a team of academic advisors in the Heavener School of Business.  What’s your advice to those who might aspire to this kind of position?  What are the keys to leading an advising team effectively?

Challenging a team of people to be their best starts with yourself, yet few of us in these roles ever receive formal management training.  So I’ve had to seek that out for myself, and am often drawn to books or podcasts about various higher ed/management issues.  I have a democratic management style—I like to generate lots of ideas and feedback from my team.  I believe we all have a ‘sphere of expertise’ and it’s my job to match those up as well as possible with the tasks and projects we have to perform.   I am also a big fan of setting goals, in all areas of my life….that really helps me keep on track. 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I’d be a bread baker.  (For the next 20 minutes, Erica and I talk about the best bread we’ve ever eaten.)

What’s cooler—dogs or cats?

Dogs.  Cats aren’t as smart as dogs, at least not in our house.  I see our cat repeatedly catch her paw under one of the wheels of my chair.  Our dogs only did that one time.

Words and photo by Erica Brynes

You’re known in some circles as a fan of haiku.  What’s your favorite advising haiku?

Informal teaching

Lessons on college and life

Advisors make a difference

…and…

Emails are not texts

Rules apply

Grammar and spelling

I know you are a talented cook.  Describe the best dish you have ever prepared.

For the past year, I’ve been on a quest to invent the world’s most awesome pizza from scratch.  One of my favorites featured sweet potato mash, topped with sopresatta, chiffonade of Swiss chard, caramelized onions, and mozzarella.  I also make a mean chicken piccata.

Photo and pizza, by Erica Byrnes

Top 5 places you want to visit someday?

Seattle, Ireland, Argentina/Chile, New Zealand, and the western Caribbean.  Not necessarily in that order.  (Erica pulled up her ‘travel goals spreadsheet’ for this.  She’s definitely a goal setter!)

You’ve started a PhD program.  What’s up with that? 

I started UF’s PhD program in Mental Health Counseling this fall, with an emphasis on career development.  Years ago when I was starting my Master’s program, I was so certain I wanted to go straight through and earn a PhD then.  I remember a practicum supervisor telling me what a bad idea that was, and I did NOT want to hear that at the time.  She was so right.  The past decade of work experience has exposed me to so many elements of academic advising and student affairs.  It’s really helped shape my interests and now I come to this PhD program with a more fully informed sense of purpose and direction. 

Describe one of your pet peeves. 

Redundancy.  I don’t like to repeat myself.      

What’s the last book you read for enjoyment?

American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza by Peter Reinhart.

What did it mean to you to be recognized as UF’s Advisor of the Year?

I am very grateful for the affirmation that what I do appears to be working.  

What are you going to spend your award money on? 

You’ll enjoy this, Jill—possibly a kayak!  Or maybe this scooter: 
http://rodem.es/lomolitio.html. We’re also remodeling our kitchen (to make more room for pizza).

Advisor Spotlight: Farewell to Jill Lingard

by Kari Ward

Having served the university and its students for 23 years, Jill Lingard has decided to refocus her energies and concentrate on her volunteer work with environmentally-focused, non-profit organizations.  Jill began her career here in Admissions in 1989, worked as an academic advisor in the College of Engineering from 1996 to 2001, and spent the last eleven years in the Heavener School of Business as the Associate Director for the Online Business Program. Jill, your friends at UF wish you well in your new endeavors. If you give your new career the same devotion you gave to all of us over the years, you’ll have North Florida’s waterways spic and span in no time!  Many thanks to you for being our inspiration and our champion!  [Why am I feeling the urge to sing "Happy Trails to You . . ."?]

Jill and her Dad, Bil Lingard

You hiked the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to New Hampshire.  You went skydiving with your students.   And now you’re walking away from a secure job that you enjoy.  What is it in you that makes you do such crazy things, Jill?

Something in me is attracted to the potential of experiences in which outcomes are undefined, but where my actions make a direct impact on those results.  I’m comfortable with ambiguity and enjoy not knowing from day one ‘how it will all work out.’  I also enjoy exploring my physical and mental limits.  To me, nearly all fear is of the unknown.  If I’m willing to stretch myself and get to know an unfamiliar experience, the fear nearly always dissolves.  By the way, I think this trait is what drew me to the job I‘ve had for the past decade, so it’s not just about climbing mountains or jumping out of planes.  Launching an online degree like ours had never been done before, and I was very drawn to all the possibilities of that process.

Jill at her going away party with friends from her old stomping grounds in Admissions

You’ve told us that you’ll be continuing your volunteer work with Paddle Florida and Current Problems in your new life.  Can you tell us more about these organizations and how you got involved with them?  What kind of work have you done with them in the past and what will your new role be?

When I returned from my attempted thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail with a fractured hip, my mobility was severely limited for a few months.  But paddling was something I could continue to enjoy.  When I heard about Paddle Florida’s inaugural week-long trip down the Suwannee River in 2008, I jumped at the opportunity and have been a fan ever since.  Our paddling experiences brought us into contact with folks doing cleanups of North Central Florida’s waterways, which is the focus of Current Problems.  In 2010, Paddle Florida was granted non-profit status with the mission of supporting water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection through paddling trips staged in each of Florida’s five water management districts.  In addition to the ongoing cleanup efforts, I will assist both groups with grant writing, marketing, and PR work.   

Jill, goofing around with longtime co-worker and friend, Joe Rojo

What are you most looking forward to in your new life?

Refining and applying my writing skills to causes I believe in and working with an amazingly talented and dedicated group of citizens who have similar interests in Florida’s ecosystems.

What will you miss the most about your old life at UF?

Whether they’re 18 or 60, in front of me or online, I will miss being able to impact college students.  What an honor it has been to be able to influence people as they’re engaged in the process of ‘becoming themselves.’  I will also miss my colleagues tremendously.  They’ve become a second family to me and I will make every effort to maintain those relationships. 

The Online Business Program is your baby.  You built it from scratch, starting in 2001, and since that time over 800 students have graduated with their business degree.  What does this mean to you? 

Due to geography, fulltime jobs, or family obligations, the vast majority of those 800 graduates are students who lacked access to a UF degree before our online program launched in 2002.  It has been deeply rewarding to open up educational access to these students.  I get to see the meaning this has written all over the faces of their family members at commencement. 

What piece of advice would you give to student affairs professionals who are responsible for creating and managing programs?

Study the market to assess potential demand for the proposed program.  Surround yourself with an excellent team of individuals who have complementary skills sets.  Build good relationships with all the external offices and institutions you’ll need to depend on to make this thing work.  Ensure students, not tuition dollars, remain the focus of why you come to work each day.  (Take care of students, and finances will fall into place.)  Cultivate a sense of humor.

Jill, with the Online Business Program Staff

In the two plus decades you’ve spent at UF, you’ve focused much of your work on building relationships with community/state college students and advisors.  Why were you drawn to this group?  Where do you see university-community/state college relations going in the future?

Florida’s community college system launched my own education and subsequent student services career.  I had a really wonderful experience at IRCC in the mid-80’s.  Having flourished in that environment, I was thrilled to work with a program in which our success depends in large part on the ability to cultivate relationships with community/state college students, advisors, faculty, and administrators.  It felt like ‘coming home’ to me. 

I believe community and state colleges will continue to play a crucial role in higher education because of their open access and affordability.  They’ve also been quick to meet the current demands for flexibility by developing online and hybrid courses and programs.  I question the viability of some of their recently developed Bachelor’s degree options, especially when they duplicate available options through Florida’s state universities.  But their role in providing lower division and technical education remains unquestionably important.

From L to R:  John Laibson, the new Director of the Online Business Program, Jill, and Dr. Albert Matheny

What do you foresee for the Online Business Program, distance learning, and higher education, in general?

Tremendous growth and increasing quality as more excellent institutions get into the game and interactive technology improves.  In another decade, I don’t think ‘going to college’ will look anything like what it did as recently as a decade ago.  We can all sit around and complain about that OR get busy shaping what the higher education experience will be.  It’s been great fun to be part of a team which has taken the latter approach.

Your love of the written word led you to a position on the Common Reading Program Book Selection Committee.  Out of the zillion or so books you've read for them, which one was your favorite?  Of the books you’ve read for your own pleasure, which one is your favorite?

I think my favorite ‘chosen’ CRP book was last year’s Outcasts United.  I’m not a team sports enthusiast, nor do I have a clue about soccer.  So my enjoyment of this book is a measure of Warren St. John’s ability to tell a much richer story.  For every year’s chosen book, the committee reads dozens more behind the scenes.  One of my favorites this past year for sheer hilarity was Mary Roach’s Packing for Mars.  Roach does a superb job in all her books of reaching non-science-types like me with her layman’s take on science topics.  Packing for Mars looks behind the curtain of what it’s really like to train for and live in space.  I enjoyed it so much, it led me to read the memoir of shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane (equally comical and engaging)—not a typical selection for this former English major!  Outside of CRP circles, my favorite author is Charles Frazier.  I loved every word of Cold Mountain and Thirteen Moons.   I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Frazier at a book signing once and my knees nearly buckled from star-struck awe. 

Jill and one of her favorite professors, Dr. Rich Lutz, and friend Julia Smith

Who is the person who has influenced you the most in your time here at UF?

I would have to say Brian Ray, for bringing me into a team of such innovative and dedicated individuals, giving me the opportunity to help build something very meaningful from scratch, and doing whatever was necessary to support that process along the way. 

What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned here at UF?

Focus on what’s working and do more of that.  Don’t dwell on the negative.  Fix it and move on.

What do you view as your greatest accomplishment?

I have stared at this question with a blank mind for several minutes now.  I guess I don’t think in terms of one greatest accomplishment or accolade.  Every student I’ve impacted who has walked across the commencement stage is a greatest accomplishment.  I’m not sure who said "You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give," but that sums it up nicely for me.

And finally, “If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?”

“Finally—you’re here!  Bill Maher saved you a seat!”

Advisor Spotlight: Wanda “College of Public Health, Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy” Washington

by Kari Ward

Hi Wanda!  Sorry about the name of this article, but I couldn’t resist.  Every time I think of you, I always think about how much fun it is hear you introducing yourself with this mile long title!  You’ve been a fixture in the UF advising community for a long time.  Still, I imagine there is a lot we don’t know about you.  Please tell us more about yourself, like where you’re from and how long you’ve worked at UF?

I was actually born in Gainesville, but my family moved to Miami when I was in 4^th grade. After graduating from high school, I came back to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida.  I graduated with a degree in history in 1980 and earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership in 1998.  I can’t even begin to explain how much I love UF and Gator football!  I have worked at UF since 1987, beginning at the Marston Science Library and then moving on to be an Admission Officer before becoming an advisor.  I am an only child and, if you ever come to my house, I will show you the shrine erected to me by my mother.   

OK, I want to know more about this shrine.  And why did you major in history?

I am an only child and the shrine consists of pictures of me at various ages from nine months to adulthood, along with a Lladro figurine coincidentally named Wanda, grouped together in the living room.  I still get asked by people who have not been to my house in a while if the shrine is still up. I majored in history because, since childhood, I’ve enjoyed learning about historical figures and biographies are still my favorite reads.

What do you like most about your job? 

Interacting with the students and seeing them go from nervous freshmen at Preview to graduation gives me the greatest enjoyment in my career.  I love encouraging students to strive toward reaching their goals and not to settle for less. I encourage them to try some of the fun activities I didn’t do as an undergraduate, like studying abroad.  Something else that is great about my job is that I get to teach the pre-pharmacy First Year Florida class. Seeing so many of my former students exceling in pharmacy school is one of the coolest things about my job.

What do you like least about your job?

Having to explain to a student why they were denied admission to one of our majors.  Also dealing with parents who are trying to push their child into a major they clearly do not want and have no interest in.  I also get frustrated sometimes by students who I know can do better and choose not to.

Tell me a funny story about a student . . .

One of the funniest I remember is about a student who had been admitted to pharmacy school.  His mother actually pulled me aside because she wanted to know what type of clothes she should buy him.  When I realized she was serious, I suggested long pants and a couple of collared shirts.

Wow, I’ve can’t say I’ve ever been asked for wardrobe advice.  So, what is a typical day like for you, Wanda?

A typical day is seeing lots of students and answering lots of emails. Spring is particularly hectic because, in addition to appointments and emails, I have to review admission files and serve as an interviewer for pharmacy school admissions. I see a lot of students, but I am blessed to have colleagues in all of my colleges who help with advising and keep me sane!

What’s it like to work with nursing and pre-pharmacy majors? 

In addition to nursing and pharmacy students, I also advise public health and health professions students.  Most of my students are great to work with.  I enjoy them because most of them want to make a difference in the world and make it a better place.

We see you at UAC all the time.  Are you active in any other groups or committees?

I’m currently a member of the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Committee and am the advisor for the College of Public Health and Health Professions Health Science Student Organization.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

When I lived in Gainesville, I went to P.K. Yonge and marched in the Gator Parade with my 3^rd grade class.

What is your favorite TV show?  What kind of music do you like?

Anyone who is my friend on Facebook knows I am a notorious trash TV watcher.  If a show has “Real Housewives” in the title, I’m watching.  Watching trash TV is fun because it makes my very large family seem normal. Did I mention my mother had 21 brothers and sisters?  This probably explains why I am an only child.  Right now I am listening to Adele, Whitney, Lady Antebellum, and Pitbull on my iPod.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

My two favorite outside activities are reading and traveling.  I have been to Europe twice and am hopelessly in love with Paris. New Zealand is my goal for this summer

Advisor Spotlight: UF Advising Guru, Lynn O'Sickey

foreward by Jill Lingard

Who at UF hasn’t been positively impacted by Lynn O’Sickey in some way over the years?  While her position may be in UF’s Academic Advising Center (AAC), Lynn has trained and mentored dozens of advisors all over campus.  She is an important voice for our profession among academic and student affairs administrators at UF and around the nation through NACADA.  We caught up with this busy lady recently to ask her some questions about her nearly 20-year UF advising career.   

Describe your professional background and current position. 

Prior to UF, I worked for about three years in an administrative position with UPenn’s Wharton School, and then as an advisor for two years at Ohio State’s pharmacy school.  I came to UF’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1992.  Our office was in Little Hall back then—the Academic Advising Center wasn’t built until 1995.  And back then, before universal tracking, we advised all first and second year students in ‘1UF’ and ‘2UF’ classifications.  Our more seasoned advisors will remember the ’80-hour rule’ from those days, which gave students to the 80-hour mark to declare a major or they were asked to leave the university.  We’ve come a long way since then!

I currently serve as Associate Director of Advising in CLAS.  I oversee three assistant directors, who in turn work with five advisors each.  When fully staffed, we have 19 fulltime advisors in the AAC, plus three IT positions that report to me.  At the university level, we’re responsible for freshman Preview, exploratory students, AIM, pre-health and pre-law advising.   Within CLAS, we employ a dual advising model.  Our individual departments focus on upper division requirements.  The AAC advisors focus on universal tracking for our degrees, college requirements, transfer admissions/orientation, probation, and monitoring progress.

What’s a typical work day like for you?

My days are split between administrative activities like supervision, policy meetings, training (about two-thirds) and advising students (about one-third).

What do you enjoy most about your job?

It’s never dull!  Things are always in a state of change…and even when they’re periodically stable, there are always ways to improve upon what we’re doing.  I enjoy problem-solving and collaborating with other units on campus to clearly communicate policies which affect our students.

Of course, I enjoy working with college students.  They’re still ‘forming’ themselves and it’s wonderful to be able to impact that process.  Students often enter our offices with similar refrains (I need to drop a class, I want to change my major)…but if you dig a little bit below the surface, the conversations can take off to a million different directions from there.

In addition, I really love the people I work with.  We have a great group who are all focused on the same goal of empowering students for success.  My colleagues are supportive, make me laugh when things are stressful, and can cook up a storm.  You haven’t lived until you have been to an AAC potluck!

What do you like least about your job?

Tenured or tenure-track faculty who don’t even try to understand or respect the role of academic advisors.  Occasionally, laziness on the behalf of students who then take no responsibility for their (lack of) actions also irks me.  Be a slacker...just don’t expect the world around you to accommodate that behavior.

What’s the best thing a student ever told you?

I have received two emails recently from students who graduated 3-5 years ago telling me that they want to go to graduate school now to become academic advisors because of their experience with me!

What’s the craziest thing a student ever told you?

After nearly 20 years of UF advising, the best I can come up with is the most recent craziest thing.  I had a student in my office who was petitioning for an extra course drop.  Her justification was that she absolutely HAD to withdraw from a course (spending her last available drop) the previous term because it was “just too early.”  She couldn’t find her way to class at that hour, never mind think, take notes, or pass exams.  I asked her when the class had met.  “Fourth period.”  “That’s 10:40 a.m.,” I replied, with a puzzled expression. “I KNOW—right???” answered the exasperated student.  I asked her if she had some kind of medical condition which limited her morning activities, to which she replied “No.”  She was a UF junior and had a solid academic record.  I asked her if she thought she might find herself working a full-time job after she graduated in about a year and a half, and pointed out that workdays often begin before 10:40 a.m.   Maybe it would be good to practice that new schedule at UF…?   The concept of life before noon had clearly never dawned on her.

What advice would you give a brand new STUDENT at UF?

First, don’t assume that UF is going to be the same as high school or (if you transferred) your previous college.  You’re going to need to adapt to survive here.  And doing more of the same old thing that doesn’t work here won’t fix the problem.  

Second, start researching careers and the majors which can get you there early.  You don’t need to have all these questions answered from day one (it’s probably better that you don’t), but don’t squander years here with no sense of direction.  Students who explore early are usually the ones that find multiple areas of interest and leave with minors, certificates, internships, etc. that are really satisfying for them.

Third, there is tremendous support and service to be found at UF for those students who behave courteously.  (Pretty much how it works after college, too.)   If email communication isn’t resolving an issue, be prepared to meet with your professor or advisor or RA or whoever’s help you need in person, and politely. 

What advice would you give a brand new ADVISOR at UF?

Expect it to take a 12-month cycle before you’ll understand everything that happens in your office.  Ask lots of questions.  Don’t ever be afraid to tell a student you don’t know the answer to a question, but are willing to research it and get back to them with the right answer.  Students will respect that much more than your best guess of what ‘might’ be accurate.

What’s your secret for balancing your home and work lives (and avoiding burnout)?

HAHAHA!  Good one, Jill!  I have very patient kids and a pretty great husband. 

What are you reading for fun right now?

In between trashy romance novels, I read some real literature…recently finished A Tale of Two Cities.  I’m a big Dickens fan.

What’s the last movie you went to see in a theatre?

The last Harry Potter film, with my kids.

Do you have a favorite TV show?

Several:  It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Modern Family, 30 Rock, and Community.

What do you do to relax?

One simple strategy is to not open my laptop at night.  I also take wonderful family vacations to places like England, Aspen, and (most recently) Alaska.

What might UF’s advising community be surprised to learn about you?

Folks might be surprised to learn that I pretty much flunked out of college!  I attended an expensive private school, so they never really kicked me out since they liked my tuition dollars.  These were the early 80’s, in the aftermath of universities letting go of their in loco parentis reigns.  Students could get away with a lot, and I did.  After many poor-performing terms, I took myself out of college for a couple years.  I ended up getting a job on campus and then slowly returned to classes (for free this time, as an employee).  The time off did me a world of good…I had time to grow up a little and reconnect with academics on my own schedule.  And ironically, working in that campus office eventually sparked my interest in student affairs as a career.  

Feel free to make comments on this article, and let others know how Lynn has helped or influenced you.

Advisor Spotlight: Jeff Citty

foreword by Deb Mayhew 
  

 

Congratulations to Jeff Citty, who has just successfully defended his doctoral dissertation!  As chair of the UAC campus affairs committee and chair of communications for the Engineering Advising Council, Jeff is a very active member of our UF advising community.  In 2009, NACADA recognized him as an Outstanding Advisor, and this year he will present at the national NACADA conference in Denver.  Jeff is also the director of the Engineering Freshman Transition program, which has significantly increased freshman retention. His undergraduate internship at Disney gave Jeff a strong foundation in management, which is evidenced today in both his leadership skills and the Disney memorabilia that is spread throughout the Engineering Student Affairs offices.

Jeff, why don’t we start off with some background on you?

I am a native Floridian, born and raised in Tampa.  I am married and have two wonderful children, Matthew (9) and Meghan (13). I am passionate about helping students and parents work toward common educational, personal and professional goals.  I am a huge Gator Fan.  I attended UF for my undergraduate and graduate degrees and began working for UF in 2001 in Student Financial Affairs.  After several years in financial aid, I obtained my Master’s degree and decided to become a part of the College of Engineering’s student affairs team where I have been working for the past eight years. During this time, I decided to return to complete my Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration and I am set to graduate this fall.     

Your current advising position is not altogether conventional.  What else do you do besides advising?

I like to classify my position as a hybrid advising/program director position.  In this role, I have the privilege of advising prospective engineering and undecided engineering students year round, but I also direct the Engineering Freshman Transition Program (EFTP).  This bridge program allows incoming engineering students to come to campus Summer B and take a set schedule of courses that has been proven to retain engineering students at a higher rate through the first year.  The classes include reviews in calculus, chemistry, AutoCAD, computer programming, engineering design, and student success.  These courses allow us to build upon students’ strengths and prepare them to tackle the fall semester with confidence.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Among the most satisfying experiences for me as a student affairs professional, has been advising and mentoring students on an individual basis and watching them develop and achieve their goals and graduate. I find that I always look forward to the individual conferences that I hold with students several times during the semester because I believe this kind of one-on-one interaction to be essential to their overall development as young adults. 

Is there anything that you don’t like about your job?

Counseling a student out of engineering. As an advisor, I want all students to succeed in their goals; however, engineering is sometimes not a good fit and holding those conversations with students can be difficult.

How is it, working with engineering majors?

It is truly amazing! Engineering students are creative, interesting, intelligent, and driven to excel. I enjoy watching these students come in to UF with ideas about what they what to do with their education and watch them turn them into reality.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

I am a Disney fanatic!  I did my college senior internship at Blizzard Beach and I just fell in love with the place.  If I am not in Gainesville at a Gator game, I am most likely at Disney.

What’s your favorite movie?

I am a big movie fan and my favorites change a lot, but here are a few:  Harry Potter series, Borne series, Iron Man, and the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Lots of things:  Working out; yard work; golf; shooting some hoops, tossing the football, playing acoustic guitar, reading, and riding roller coasters!