Friday, March 23, 2012

Advising Network Seeking Nominations for 2012-13 Executive Committee

The Advising Network is seeking nominations for the 2012-13 Executive Committee for the positions listed below.

Chair Elect – This is a 3 year commitment.  The Chair-Elect's responsibility is to learn from the Chair and past Chair. The position allows for a year of understudy before assuming the leadership of the network. The Chair-Elect coordinates the annual network elections and chairs the elections committee. In addition, the Chair-Elect is responsible for planning the calendar and network meetings. 

Secretary – The Secretary position is responsible for preparing the annual membership drive, maintaining the membership database, preparing minutes of network meetings, and assisting the Chair in compiling the Annual Report for the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. The Secretary is also a member of the Day of Service committee.

Public Relations Coordinator: This position will oversee the electronic newsletter, post information to the advising network Web site, chair the public relations committee, and assist other committee members as needed to coordinate publicity.

Events Coordinator: This position coordinates, with additional help from the membership when needed, Advising Network events to include Advising Week, Answer Day, Holiday social event, Advisor Awards, and other events developed in the future. For each event, the coordinator handles event invitations, tracks attendance, reserves rooms, negotiates menus and prices with catering, and event publicity. Also, this position chairs the events committee, which completes all pieces for an event to include decorations, publicity, programs, IT support, and budget.

Admissions & Academic Standards Committee: Represent the Advising Network on the University's Admissions and Academic Standards Committee. 

Undergraduate Council: Represent the Advising Network as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Undergraduate Council. The Undergraduate Council functions to proposals for new and revised undergraduate courses and degree programs.

Please take a moment to nominate yourself or someone you know who you think would be interested in serving on the UK Advising Network Executive Committee through the link below.


If you have any questions, please contact Matt Waitkus, Chair-Elect, at matt.waitkus@uky.edu.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

New Advisor Q&A: Wayne Centers, College of Health Sciences

Name:  Wayne Centers

Hometown:  London, KY

Tell us about your educational background.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from Berea College in 2005.  Influenced by my involvement in college, I went on to the University of Kentucky to pursue my Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Higher Education, which I finished in 2007.

Tell us about your work history.
Prior to becoming an academic advisor, the bulk of my work history was earned through Housing and Residence Life programs.  I served as a Graduate Hall Director for two years in UK’s South Campus Complex.  I accepted my first professional position as a Residence Hall Director for Northern Kentucky University in 2007 and served there until June 2011.  Through these experiences, I oversaw several significant initiatives including RA training, selection, RSA/RHA advising, as well as graduate and undergraduate supervision.

What will you be doing in your new position?
Pending approval of the newly proposed Human Health Sciences degree, I will serve as a primary advisor for the students of that cohort.  I currently advise undergraduate pre-major students within our Clinical Leadership and Management, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Medical Laboratory Sciences programs.  I also provide pre-professional advising for students interested in Physician Assistant Studies and Physical Therapy.  My responsibilities also include advising our College of Health Sciences Ambassador program and serving as the Athletic Certification officer.  In addition, I routinely hit the recruitment trail and meet with prospective students frequently.

Why did you want to be an advisor?
I have always valued the advising and mentoring relationships of my prior experiences.  Academic advising provides me an opportunity to specialize within this area in a very focused way.  While helping out students navigate the curriculum is important, I also strive to find opportunities to be that resource agent when it comes to any aspect of their student experience.  I also looked forward to the possibility of gaining academic affairs experience and find that all of my talents have been utilized in my transition.

What is your favorite part of working with college students?
I’ve especially relished the opportunity to work with students from the beginning of an experience to the end – especially when that experience is entering as a first-year student and finishing with a degree.  There’s nothing more professionally satisfying than seeing a student capture their potential and then do big things.  It’s fulfilling to think that you’ve helped open doors along someone’s path toward success.

What do you love about UK?  
I love the sense of identity and pride that comes with being a student and working at this institution.  More than any other place I’ve been, there is a distinct energy on this campus – all it takes is a simple walk around campus to realize it!  This all translates to our people.  I thrive off the high level of competence of my colleagues and am continually impressed with our talented student body.