Martina Stewart's Reflection on the UAAC Campus- Wide Inservice: MUSE

I attended the March Campus-wide In-service presented by Patrick McShane of MUSE.  I had known about MUSE primarily as a portal for students to explore involvement and engagement opportunities on campus.  This was a helpful session in that I learned about other exciting ways students can participate in MUSE.

First off, students (and ADVISORS !) can join MUSE to receive emails about upcoming events and programs.  Here are some of the options for engagement through MUSE:

• MUSE Lunchtime Lectures:  free lunch and faculty lecture relating to MUSE Theme Year      
• MUSE Night Out: small group of students and faculty attend a campus event, and then go out for dinner and discussion
• MUSE Discussion Groups: these are student lead, and students are trained and paid to facilitate
• MUSE Internships: paid on campus internships with a strong learning component

As soon as I returned to my office, I joined MUSE .  This will help me to be better informed about events and activities that may interest the students I advise!

And finally, Patrick promised an exciting Theme Year, book and keynote speaker for next year. We promised not to spill the beans, so you’ll have to wait to learn more about this….

UAAC Food Drive Success

In the month of December Steve Hadley, Director of Campus- Wide Advisor Education and Development,  challenged UAAC members to gather food and personal care supplies to fill the donation bin outside of the University Counseling Center.  Members from around campus brought nearly 100 food and personal care items.  

Thank you to all UAAC members that participated in this holiday drive.  The Counseling Center's bin is located outside of their office in the Student Services Building Rm. 426.  The bin remains outside of their office year round for anyone looking to donate or for students in need.

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.