2011-2012 ACA Officer Elections - Vote for Secretary

For our 2011-2012 Officer Elections the ACA membership agreed to elect those candidates that ran unopposed for their respective positions. The position of Secretary  was the only contested position and now requires a vote by our dues paid members. The position has two candidates running for election and their speeches can be read below.  You must cast your vote on the following website by 5pm on Monday, May 23rd. 

https://surveystation.austin.utexas.edu//TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=920H47lK

Speeches (in alphabetical order):

Secretary Candidate: Christine Anderson

My name is Christine Anderson and I am running for ACA Secretary.  While I know a few of you well, and many of you by name, I have not had the opportunity to meet most of you.  So, I would like to introduce myself personally and professionally.  I grew up in Houston, but have lived in Austin for most of the past 12 years- I believe this qualifies me as an Austinite.  I love the Austin scene and some of my favorite things to do in town are dance at the Broken Spoke, hike a Greenbelt and go for a swim at Barton Springs.  I was born just outside of Stuttgart, Germany and many of my relatives still live there today.  I am fortunate to get to return almost every other year to visit my family.  Speaking of family, I am also “Mom” to a very cool 5^th grader named Eben. 

 Professionally, I have been advising for just under a year, but my work with students began long ago.  Before I came to UT in 1998, I served as a College Ambassador for North Harris Community College.  In this role I traveled with the College President promoting the value of an education to underserved areas of Houston.  During this time I also worked as a Math tutor.  Since moving to Austin in 1998 I have earned a BA in History and an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from UT, and have also worked as a Program Coordinator for Meals on Wheels.  Just over three years ago I joined the Bridging Disciplines Programs as the Administrative Associate and in this role I was able to learn more about how UT operates than in the previous 9 years put together.   Today, my experiences as an Administrative Associate, student, teaching assistant and community leader shape my daily interactions and broader philosophies as an Academic Advisor.   I am grateful for the path that brought me to advising because it allows me to approach my work from a variety of perspectives and experiences. 

I would be honored to serve as your Secretary for ACA and bring my background and enthusiasm to the Executive Committee.  This opportunity would allow me to contribute to the organization and also give me the chance to work more closely with many of you.  More importantly, my administrative skills will come in very handy as ACA secretary.  Sometimes when I type an email, onlookers become mesmerized by my fast and efficient typing skills.  I also have years of note taking experience.  Seriously, though- this position is important for keeping track of all the information that is shared and communicated through ACA and I would be honored to work with the Executive Committee representing advisors and student affairs professionals on campus.

Secretary Candidate: Jennifer Jordan

I have been with UT for 9 years and have served as a career advisor and as an academic advisor. During the majority of this time I have been a member of ACA, and involved with various committees over the years. I have served as a committee member for Professional Development Day, Advising Expo, the Scholarship Committee, the Holiday Planning Committee, and I was involved with the Advisory Council for two years.  Experience working on these committees provides me the perspective of the type of quality leadership ACA requires, keeping it a respected organization. My mission as Secretary would be to maintain this organization’s integrity, respect and professionalism.

I also have been a strong supporter of professional development for advisors and appreciate all ACA has been able to offer in terms of helping us stay on top of our game. Being in an office, I would strongly support this work. ACA also takes on issues around the campus, which is something I would look forward to becoming involved with. Having experience working in a Dean’s office and now a departmental office provides me with knowledge about student and academic services, which I believe would contribute to this organization.

The spirit of ACA is such that you can’t help but feel support and appreciation by a great group of people. Because of ACA’s heart and spirit and this interesting and potentially challenging role I would enjoy the opportunity to serve as an officer. In an effort to “give back” some of this spirit I offer my leadership and energy, and ask for your vote as Secretary.

May 2011 ACA General Meeting

The May 11, 2011 ACA General Meeting, sponsored by New Student Services in the Office of the Dean of Students, featured updates regarding Summer Orientation 2011, the announcement of the 2011 NACADA Award Winners, the announcement of our ACA Student and Professional Scholarship recipients, as well as speeches from our ACA Executive Officer Candidates for the 2011-2012 year.

The May meeting was moved to the afternoon to accommodate the complicated May calendar.  In an effort to celebrate SUMMER and take advantage of having a post-lunch ACA Meeting, New Student Services provided Amy's Ice Cream and toppings as an afternoon treat.

New Student Services Summer Orientation
The team from NSS graciously sponsored our May meeting and used the meeting as an opportunity to update the advising community on the changes taking place for Summer Orientation 2011.  Cristi Biggs, Assistant Dean of Students, attended a meeting earlier in the school year to preview the proposed changes, so this was an opportunity for ACA members to ask questions prior to the beginning of orientation in June.

Cristi Biggs, Kyle Clark, and Esmer Bedia present to ACA

ACA Awards and Recognition

2011 NACADA Awards
Wendy Boggs, ACA Awards & Recognition Chair, announced each of the UT NACADA Award recipients who will be recognized at the annual conference in Denver, CO in October 2011:

• Mark Bernstein, College of Communication: Certificate of Merit – Outstanding Faculty Advisor
• Aida Gonzalez, College of Communication: Certificate of Merit – Outstanding Academic Advising- Primary Role
• Brad Popiolek, School of Undergraduate Studies: Certificate of Merit – Outstanding New Academic Advisor
• Longhorn Link, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement: Certificate of Merit – Outstanding Advising Program
• Wayfinder (coordinated by Brad Popiolek), School of Undergraduate Studies: Certificate of Merit – Advising Technology Innovation


ACA Student Scholarship
This year, we were able to award three student scholarships. All three were present at the ACA Meeting to recieve the scholarship.

• Doan Phan, Psychology senior - Peer Advisor for the Bridging Disciplines Program (UGS)
• Grisel Perez, Advertising junior - Peer Advisor in the Center for Strategic Advising (UGS)
• Rene Garcia, Undeclared junior - Peer Advisor in the Center for Strategic Advising (UGS)

ACA Scholarship Recipients Doan Phan, Grisel Perez, Rene Garcia

ACA Professional Development Scholarship

This year's ACA Professional Development Scholarship was awarded to Andrea Chytil, Senior Academic Advisor in the McCombs School of Business Undergraduate Program Office.  Andrea currently serves in the role of Secretary for the Academic Counselors Association.

Andrea Chytil receives her Professional Development Scholarship

 
 
Thanks to Wendy Boggs and the committee of people who assisted with Awards & Recognition this year.  Additional thanks to all of you who took the time to nominate the candidates for the awards. 

Wendy Boggs, ACA Awards & Recognition Chair

 
 

ACA Executive Committee Elections/Speeches
ACA Members wishing to lead our organization for 2011-2012 were given the opportunity to run for office.  This year, 5 of the 6 election positions were given a "pass" because they were running uncontested.  The membership agreed to elect the unopposed nominees, and as a result, did not get an opportunity to give their speech (next time you see one of them, maybe you can get a personal reading).  The one contested office was for Secretary, so candidates Christine Anderson and Jennifer Jordan for this office were asked to give their speeches. 
 
The rest of the Executive Committee will include:

• President:  Theresa Thomas (after serving as President-Elect for a year)
• President-Elect: Nathan Vickers
• Vice President/Program Chair: Valeri Nichols-Keller
• Treasurer: Jay Guevara
• Public Relations Coordinator: Kristin Tommey
• Co-Historians: Lovelys Powell & Yesenia Sanchez

April 2011 ACA General Meeting

The April 6, 2011 ACA General Meeting, sponsored by the School of Undergraduate Studies, featured presentations on the following topics:

Dr. Gretchen Ritter, Vice Provost
Provost Ritter addessed questions and concerns from the ACA membership including topics such as:  consistency amongst colleges, new initiatives related to degree progress, and university-wide training for advisors.  Dr. Ritter encouraged members to provide feedback and expressed how much she values the relationship the Provost Office has with ACA.

David Spight, Center for Strategic Advising

JP Regalado, Longhorn Scholars Program

Patty Micks, First Year Experience (FIGs, Signature Courses & University Lecture Series)

Dr. Jeanette Herman, Core Curriculum Flags

James W. Vick Awards for Academic Advising

On March 24, 2011, five Academic Advisors were presented with the pretigious James W. Vick Awards for Academic Advising.  The Texas Exes James W. Vick Award for Academic Advising recognizes individuals who improve students’ overall experience at The University of Texas at Austin through outstanding advising. Each year, five winners are awarded $500 and are recognized with an awards ceremony in March. The nomination and selection process is done solely by students. At this year's awards ceremony, former Vice President of Student Affairs and Best Friend of ACA - James W. Vick - was in attendance to celebrate with the recipients and give remarks.  Leading ther program was Bill McCausland, Chief Operating Officer of The Texas Exes and keynote speaker, Victoria Rodriguez, Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies.  The 2011 recipients were:
•Calina Coakwell: Academic Advisor, College of Liberal Arts
•Susan Gamel Holzaepfel: Academic Advisor, College of Education
•Jennifer McHam: Academic Advisor, College of Education
•Richard Ribb: Academic Advisor, College of Liberal Arts
•Brent Winkelman: Academic Advisor, Red McCombs School of Business

Award namesake James W. Vick

Vice Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies Victoria Rodriguez

Texas Exes Chief Operating Officer Bill McCausland

ACA President Andi Poag

The presentation of the certificates and monetary awards were made by the recipient's Assistant/Associate Dean, Dr. James W. Vick, Dr. Victoria Rodriguez, and Bill McCausland.


•Calina Coakwell: Academic Advisor, College of Liberal Arts

From Calina's nomination:  “I can honestly say that Calina’s positive attitude and advice have kept me in UT. When I graduate, I will first find Calina and tell her it’s because of her. I never thought I would get into the school, let alone graduate, and I can certainly credit Calina for her guidance along the way to help me achieve my greatest and most proud accomplishment. As students, we need someone to believe in us, and Calina is that person.”


•Susan Gamel Holzaepfel: Academic Advisor, College of Education

From Sue's nomination:  “She has shown us that we can do whatever we set our minds to and that we are all basically her children and that she will guide us to our graduation day.”

•Jennifer McHam: Academic Advisor, College of Education

From Jennifer's nomination: “Because of her, I know what I want to do when I get out of college. Her advice has helped me in an innumerable amount of ways. She has been a positive role model and is someone who I can trust if I ever have a problem.”


•Richard Ribb: Academic Advisor, College of Liberal Arts

From Richard's nomination:  “Richard is genuinely concerned for the well-being of his students. He not only helps students improve their academic experience in college, but also advises them on how to maintain a good quality of life. He sees the potential of his advisees and gave me the confidence to achieve my goals.”


•Brent Winkelman: Academic Advisor, Red McCombs School of Business

From Brent's nomination:  “While my plans have changed since my freshman year, one thing has not: Brent’s ability to motivate students and give them the most relevant information to make a decision. By teaching me to manage my expectations, Brent has shaped my success as a student leader.”

2011 James W. Vick Award Winners  

A big congratulations to our colleagues and huge thanks to The Texas Exes!

Member Spotlight: Calina Coakwell

James W. Vick Texas Excellence Award for Academic Advising Recipient

Hometown:  Belton, TX

College(s) Attended:  University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (first year)/ UT Austin – B.A. in Psychology received May 1997/ Texas State University – M.A. in Professional Counseling received December 2000

Degree(s) earned:  B.A. Psychology/ M.A. Professional Counseling

What are your hobbies?  I read incessantly (fiction and horror mostly), running and walking when time permits.

What was your favorite childhood toy?  When I was very young I had a plastic riding horse with wheels I named “Oscar.”  Later on, Barbie dolls.  I also loved to play with a multitude of animals.

What is your current position at UT? Briefly explain:  I have been the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Geography & the Environment for 10 years.  I also advise Urban Studies majors in addition to Geography majors.

Have you had any jobs prior to your current job at UT?  If so, what were they?  I interned as a career counselor for a year at Texas State University.  I interned for a semester at Casa Esperanza in Kyle, Texas, doing marriage and family therapy, mostly working with children and their parents.  I taught emotionally disturbed children for a year in Manor, TX.  I worked as an after school counselor for the YMCA.  I worked at the GAP Outlet for a holiday season.  I worked at the Dell Factory Outlet for a few years.  I worked as a bank teller for a few years.  I worked at Mr. Gatti’s for 3 years.  I was a swim instructor and lifeguard for many summers.  I worked at a few day cares growing up too.  Too many “jobs,” but this is my first professional career.

What is the most challenging aspect of your current job?  Balancing advising students with other administrative tasks, and also having too few classes and seats available for students (especially with budget cuts).

Tell us about one of your success stories that happened in your current position (regarding a student, a co-worker, a project, etc.).:  There are so many over the years.  The most recent one was a very poignant one from last semester.  A student came to my office in tears with a difficult non-academic issue.  She said she couldn’t get in to see a counselor in the CMHC for an appointment for a while.  She didn’t feel comfortable calling the hotline either.  I’ll let her tell the story anonymously.  This is an excerpt from her Vick nomination:
“When the health and mental service center was booked and I couldn't get in sooner than 2.5 weeks, I had an urgent problem that I wasn't comfortable calling the hotline about. Calina opened her door and listened to me and gave advice on how I could manage the next few weeks until my appointment. She went above and beyond by checking in with me, and just making sure that I was keeping up with course work. She wanted to make sure that I had options available late in the semester like, withdrawing or getting an incomplete. She also encouraged me as a person and lifted my spirits so that I had enough courage to talk to my professors about my performance. Thanks to her, I will not be failing this semester, which in turn will not delay my graduation date.”

What is your advising philosophy?  I am person-centered and empathic.  For every student contact, whether it be face-to-face, email, or telephone, I attempt to clear my mind and give him or her my full, undistracted, positive attention.  I keep humor as a tool, and empathy as a rule.  I try to understand the comprehensive situation and provide as much relevant information as I can to help students make their own educated decisions.  I provide resources and active referrals as needed.  I try to anticipate any additional developments or help that students may need and provide information and availability for the future.  I constantly communicate with my students:  in my office, through my email listserv, individual email, student groups, and in the hallways.  I keep my door open and encourage open, respectful communication.

Title:  Senior Academic Advisor -- College of Liberal Arts

Member Spotlight: Richard Ribb

James W. Vick Texas Excellence Award for Academic Advising Recipient

Hometown: Houston, though Austin since 1973

College(s) Attended: Brown U./ UT Austin

Degree(s) earned: BA, MA, PhD American Studies, UT Austin

Title: Senior Academic Advisor -- College of Liberal Arts

What are your hobbies? Live music, fishing, dog, playing cards

What was your favorite childhood toy? Baseball glove

What is your current position at UT? Briefly explain: Senior Academic Advisor, Student Division Liberal Arts ("Dean's Office"); in addition to customary Dean's Office role of advising undeclared students and students in need, I also serve as lead advisor for International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) majors, of which we have c. 500 already, and work closely with the Director on developing course lists and other matters; coordinate SummerStart, a program for new students to start school in the summer instead of fall.

Member Spotlight: Theresa Thomas

2010-2011:  President Elect

Hometown:  I was born in Columbus, Ohio, but I’ve lived in Austin since I was 4 years old, so I consider this my home.

College(s) Attended:  The University of Texas at Austin

Degree(s) earned:  BS in Applied Learning and Development – Youth and Community Studies.  This was after starting out as an RTF major and changing it to Spanish, then to English, then to elementary education, and then to Y&CS.  Yes, I was THAT student.

Title:  Senior Academic Advisor --College of Communication