Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Member Spotlight: Thomas Fawcett

Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas.

College(s) attended: University of Kansas, UT-Austin.

Degree(s) earned:  BA in Anthropology and Latin American Studies from KU, MA in Journalism and Latin American Studies from UT.

Job Title: Associate Academic Advisor in the Department of History.

What are your hobbies? I love music, collect records, and write about hip hop, soul, funk and world music for the Austin Chronicle. I like to cook, preferably over an open flame in the company of friends. I have a vegetable garden that I try to keep fruitful all year round with varying degrees of success. I enjoy exploring the parks and swimming holes of Central Texas with my wife, daughter and shaggy dog.  Some might say my love of college basketball borders on obsession.

What is your current job at UT?  As my supervisor puts it, my job as an advisor is to be there and know everything. I'm giving that my best shot.

How many years have you worked at UT? I've worked at UT just over a month as an advisor and full-time staff member. As a grad student, I worked as a TA in the Journalism School, an academic mentor in the Athletics Department and volunteered as a DJ for KVRX. 

What is the most challenging aspect of your current job? There is a lot to learn as a new advisor and my current challenge is to cram as much information into my brain as quickly as possible. Also, the mainframe is my nemesis. I'm grateful to have two experienced advisors in my office that I can reach out to for help when questions arise.

What is your favorite thing about your current job? I love being on a college campus every day and surrounded by the energy that exists at UT. I also work closely with honors students in the History Department and  have already been incredibly impressed by their work and intellectual curiosity.














Wednesday, May 8, 2013

May 2013 ACA General Meeting

  The May meeting featured ice cream!  Thanks to New Student Services for sponsoring our ice cream social!








































Appreciating Campus Administrators honoree for May was Marc Musick, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, College of Liberal Arts.  Nathan Vickers accepted on Dean Musick's behalf.



Jessica Bradford of the Awards and Recognition Committee announced the 2012-2013 ACA student scholarship winners.

The student scholarship winners are, from left to right, Elizabeth Barnes, Ayomide Fasalojo, David McDonald, and Jacob Spangler.  Not pictured is Samantha Robles, who could not be at the meeting.
McKinlaye Harkavy, also of the Awards and Recognition Committee, announced the advisor scholarships:
Kristen Anton
Anneke Chy
Gina Higby
Letita Monsey
Our NACADA honorees!  Congratulations!

Alexia Apollo, Certificate of Merit, Outstanding Advising Award--Primary Advising Role
Jinane Sounny-Slitine, Certificate of Merit, Outstanding New Advisor--Primary Advising Role
UTeach-Liberal Arts (represented by Eric Bowles), Certificate of Merit--Outstanding Institutional Program
Cristi Biggs, Assistant Dean of Students for the Office of the Dean of Students spoke on behalf of New Student Services, reviewing for ACA some of the changes in Orientation for this summer.  Also filling ACA in on 2013 Summer Orientation were:


KJ Harris
Kyle Clark












Alex Kappus (and Esmer Bedia seated to the right).



Dr. Madeleine Hsu, Director of Asian American Studies spoke on the key themes of the Asian American Studies major, its interdisciplinary nature, and the importance of the major in the study of a significant segment of US society.  


Candidates for the 2013-2014 officer positions made their campaign speeches.  Jay Guevara (Communication/PR), Sara Schultz (Historian), Alanna Bitzel (Secretary), Jessica Bradford (Treasurer), Matthew Haynes and Kelly Strait (Co-Vice Presidents), and Julia Chinnock (President-Elect) all ran unopposed and were duly elected.  Congrats!