Greetings TennACADA! programs for every topic of interest, nor can the members attend them all. The Roundtable Lunches allow a broader range of topics
I hope everyone’s semester is off to a fabulous start. It is hard to to be discussed and provide members with the flexibility to attend believe that the busy advising season is already upon us. the roundtables in which they are the most interested. To set up a
Roundtable Lunch, select a topic, find a location, and e-mail the
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who completed the details to [email protected]. We will send the information to the survey we sent out earlier in the semester. The TennACADA community inviting them to join you.
Executive Committee used your responses to plan the
programming this year. Your feedback drives what we do, and I hope you will take this opportunity to engage with other I cannot thank you enough. members of our advising community across campus.
One of the new programs we are excited about introducing is Shanna Roundtable Lunches. Roundtable Lunches provide members of
the UTK advising community with the opportunity to pick a topic Shanna Pendergrast
of interest and invite colleagues to join them (over a brownbag President, TennACADA lunch) to discuss it. Topics can range from completing 4-year 2014-2015
ROTC plans, to conference proposal ideas, to recent articles regarding advising/college students, etc. The TennACADA Executive Board recognizes that it is not possible to implement
New to the UT Advising Community: Demetria Mells
Demetria Mells comes to UT from Tennessee Tech
University with ten years of academic advising experience working with students pursuing a teaching license in the College of Education. She has joined UT in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences as a coordinator.
How did you get involved with academic advising, and how long have you been working at UT?
I started at UT on July 7th, so I have only been here a short two months. I previously worked at Tennessee Tech University in the College of Education and had been there for the past ten years in academic advising. I was interested in academic advising because I completed my own education as a “transfer” student and often felt that those students didn’t really have a voice on campus, so when the opportunity became available to work primarily with the transfer population in education at TTU, I jumped at the chance. During the ten years that I worked at TTU, I had the wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience by working with a variety of different student populations and helping them meet their educational goals, and I look forward to continuing that at UT.
What do you like most about working with students in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences?
I enjoy working with all students, and I love working with students that want to become future educators. The educational path can be a challenging one, and I hope, as an advisor, that students know I am here to help them walk the path and know that they are not alone. Students have such passion and desire to give back, and when they find the career path that they know is right for them, it is such a joy to be a part of the process and see them accomplish their goals.
What qualities and characteristics do you think are important for an academic advisor to be successful?
I think advisors need to be empathetic and able to communicate effectively. Often times the advisor may be that one constant individual that students see for their entire academic careers. Advisors need to be able to communicate with patience and understanding but still convey what is required for students to be successful, and when life happens, be there to help students still meet their educational goals.
Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have?
I love to read!! Not too exciting to some, but I always say a new book is a new adventure (when I can’t get away, because I also love to travel with friends and family). My son turned me into a football and basketball fanatic (I like basketball more), so you can frequently find me watching a game as well.
New to the UT Advising Community: Tim Dolan
Tim Dolan joined the College of Architecture and Design’s
Student Services Office earlier this summer following a tenured design professorship. He is NCIDQ-Certified and a Registered Interior Designer with over twenty years experience as a practitioner and educator.
How did you get involved with academic advising, and how long have you been working at UT?
Before coming to UT, I was a professor at Appalachian State University. Academic Advising was part of my Faculty responsibilities. The opportunity at UT allows me to turn my previous professional-practice experience, academic experience, and passion for helping students into a pretty exciting day job! I have been at UT for about two and a half months.
What do you like most about working with students in the College of Architecture and Design?
Having been trained and practiced as a professional designer, I understand the unique challenges facing our design students. All degree programs have their specific rigor and processes.
Design, however, is a pretty rare experience. The amount of external time required to complete a design degree has little equal. We also ask, and expect, students to check their feelings at the door. Fundamentally, the educational design process is one that solely evaluates the work. Unfortunately, we [designers] are human with egos, issues, and needs, and most have at least a little issue with perfectionism [yes, some of us have been accused of and diagnosed with OCD]. You have to embrace what you’ve been given! So to answer the question, I’ve been there, done that, and have the t-shirts…I believe people are called to design. My role with students in the CoAD allows me to advise and encourage while possessing some empathy for their progress and efforts. I have the opportunity to both teach in the design programs and advise. These dual roles provide a pretty clear insight into what our students are doing and where we can best try to assist them. Students challenge me. Challenge requires change. Change means I’m still growing and learning!
What qualities and characteristics do you think are important for an academic advisor to be successful?
Transparency would be at the top of my list. I’m human and I make mistakes. However, I also learn more from my mistakes than I do my successes. This is a huge lesson.
Shared investment also quickly comes to mind. I think students want to know that we’re in this with them; that means being honest (both good and bad). As an understatement,
this job isn’t always easy! I don’t want to be viewed as someone who has all the answers, because I don’t. I want students to know that I’m willing to work with and for them. Servant-leadership rarely gets the headlines but almost always gets a considerable return on investment.
Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have?
Music has played a considerable role in my life. I’m highly involved in the marching arts as a designer, adjudicator, and instructor. Yes, I’m still a band geek and love it! Travel is always a welcomed distraction. Generally, if I’ve not been, I want to go. Most importantly, I enjoy doing life with my wife and our chocolate lab. A good glass of red wine and a tennis ball make for a pretty great evening!