Rachel Osterman's Reflection on the 2013 NACADA Annual Conference

As a first-time attendee, I was able to soak up tons of new information at NACADA’s Annual Conference. I attended sessions that addressed topics like cultural competence, motivation, positive psychology, advising theory, retention, etc. I was also able to meet adviors from across the region and nation.

Photo courtesy of Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski

Jill Wilson's Reflection on the NACADA Annual Conference 2013

This was my first NACADA conference and I feel very fortunate that I was able to go.  I attended nine different sessions over three days.  My goal was twofold: first to learn more about specific student populations with whom I have not had much experience, and second to learn ways to be better at the day-to-day details of my job.

2013 Annual NACADA Conference Reflection: Using Wikis As A Training Tool by Elizabeth Archuleta

I'm a fan of technology, and I love to learn about new apps or software that will help me at home or at work. Based on this interest, I attended several technology sessions at NACADA. At one session, Brandeis University advisors shared their experience using wikis as an academic advising tool in "More Than a Training Manual: Using Wikis to Get Everyone on the Same Page." 

Attendees were given a chronological view of their processes in setting up a wiki training manual, their reasons for starting one, the pros and cons of going paperless, the skills/resources they needed to start, the ins and outs of launching and running their wiki, and the evolution of their own wiki training manual. The biggest reason for creating a wiki training manual is that it becomes a tool for training new advisors. An already established training manual becomes invaluable to new advisors. Even after new advisor training takes place, there will inevitably be procedural and policy changes that take place, unique situations that arise, and questions about where to locate needed information. A wiki becomes a clearinghouse for information that can easily be updated by anyone given access to administrative functions.

Gina Shipley's Reflection on the NACADA Annual Conference 2013

As the recipient of the UAAC NACADA Prep Workshop Series, my reflection of the NACADA annual conference connects to the workshops.  

Gina Shipley and Anna Adams working together at one of the Prep Workshops.

NACADA Scholarship recipients

Congratulations to our recipients of the NACADA Annual Conference Scholarships.

Rachel Osterman

Elizabeth Archuleta 

Jill Wilson

(Not pictured)

Kelly Olson

Tivra Marks

Each recipient shared with the selection committee a plan for attending the conference to glean relevant information and shared the impact this conference will have on their ability to support student success through advising.  

Congratulations also to Gina Shipley for receiving a NACADA scholarship for her attendance to the UAAC NACADA Prep Workshop Series. 

New Advisor Spotlight: Elizabeth Archuleta

Enjoy an introduction to one of the newest advisors on campus:

In July 2011, the Board of Regents approved the Ethnic Studies major. In August 2013, Ethnic Studies hired its first Academic Advisor to assist students. Her name is Elizabeth Archuleta—that's me! I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, UT.  I moved away in 1994 to attend graduate school at Pennsylvania State University and received my Ph.D. In English in 2002. 

Martina Stewart's Reflection on the National Career Development Association Conference 2013

I had a fabulous time at the NCDA conference!  This is always a high quality conference, and Sarah (Rollo) and I had a great time discussing all we were learning and ways to use this information within our roles in UC.  Its also an inspiring conference for me since my graduate degree was in Career Counseling – I feel I’ve come full circle with my career, and its nice to connect back to my roots in advising.

It started with a pre-conference workshop on Happenstance Learning Theory. The session was supposed to be held by John Krumboltz and Al Levin, two major figures in the Career Development world.  Unfortunately, John Krumboltz was stuck in San Francisco because of the plane crash, but Al Levin did a great job conveying the theory and how to use it with students. Sarah and I have discussed the theory and ways to incorporate ideas from the theory into our class, so it was wonderful to interact with one of the people that “wrote the book”.  One of his main messages was to encourage students to take ACTION. I like thinking about that as my major role, how to get students prepared to DO SOMETHING, whether it be meeting with a departmental advisor, doing an internship or informational interview, or joining a club. Its through doing things that we learn who we are and are given more opportunities to explore and develop skills.