While working in the Office of Admissions prior to transitioning to the Academic Success Center (ASC), incoming students shared with me a wide variety of feelings that they were having about the possibility of returning to, or not returning to in-person instruction for the Fall 2021 semester. I am proud to discuss a few of the most exciting initiatives that Academic Success Coaching has implemented to account for these varying feelings.
Academic Success Coaching has transitioned to a fully-fledged, hybrid-operating model. This year, whether students want to meet 1-on-1 with a coach or attend one of our Academic Success Series Workshops, they have the option to meet in-person OR virtually. In addition, select students are now able to self-schedule with a coach directly through Campus Connect, which makes it much easier for a student to find a time and format that works best for them.
A second initiative set to curb anxiety about returning to campus was achieved through a partnership with COLA 100E first-year seminar instructors. Prior to the start of the semester, the Academic Success Coaches brainstormed common concerns and considerations that students may have related to the return to in-person learning and helped generate this handy list of tips. COLA 100E instructors then shared it with all students who had been enrolled in their courses virtually last year. This tool can serve as a useful resource for any other student who is transitioning back to in-person learning this year.
Academic Success Coaching is designed to help students from all majors! We also create unique collaborations to better reach specific majors. In a new partnership, the ASC and College of Engineering worked together to establish an Academic Success Coach that is specifically trained to work with undergraduate students of any class standing and any major within the College of Engineering. This adds to our existing collaborations with the Honors College as well as several individual instructors and student service offices in an effort to find the most helpful ways to reach different student populations.
Regardless of an undergraduate student's major, GPA, class standing, or comfortability being on-campus, we have an Academic Success Coach waiting to help them meet their academic goals. Students can learn more about Academic Success Series workshops and 1-on-1 coaching appointments here: unlv.edu/asc/coaching.
|
|
-
For the third consecutive year, the UNLV Baseball program earned the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association. UNLV head coach Stan Stolte recognized ASC Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services' Alan Hott as a driving force behind this award, stating, "They know what we expect out of them in the classroom and Alan does a great job of putting them in a position to be successful."
-
The ASC held its Fifth Annual Scavenger Hunt as part of UNLV's Welcome Weeks events. Students virtually visited the ASC webpage, completed tasks, and followed the ASC on social media. All students, who gained valuable information on ASC services, were entered into a drawing for prizes.
-
Dr. Joe Ervin, Assistant Professor-in-Residence, will serve a second year as a Faculty Fellow with the UNLV Faculty Center. In addition to leading UNLV's Philosophy of Education Society, Dr. Ervin will be co-leading a non-tenure track faculty mentoring group.
-
Dr. Joe Ervin, with colleagues Jasmin Özel and Dave Beisecker, published the article titled, "A new conatus for the new world: Dewey's response to perfectionist conceptions of democratic education" in Conatus - Journal of Philosophy.
-
Jennifer Villalobos, Coordinator for Student-Athlete Academic Services, was named Regional Outreach Sub-Committee Co-Lead for the Ethnic Concerns Committee of the national professional organization N4A.
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Johnson
Academic Advisor
|
What led you to work at UNLV as an Academic Advisor?
Growing up, I heard “you can’t” from institutional representatives when, in fact, I could and I did. I like to provide students with all their options, all of the information out on the table and help them make a decision that will benefit them. I wanted to be that person that says, “Let’s figure out how you can do this” for my students, which is why I chose this field.
|
|
|
A large part of why I became an Exploring Major Advisor is to help students who are exploring their options or are considering a change. All colleges have so many degree options. Coming into college, not a lot of students know that and focus on maybe one or two things. As an advisor, you try to help the student get on the right path with them, making their own decisions.
What is your favorite part about your job as an Academic Advisor?
My favorite part of my job is the satisfaction of knowing that I helped students. I do get happy emails, like when a student writes to me after they pick their major and they’re doing really well. They say, “Hey, I just wanted to let you know that everything that you’ve done has really helped me move forward to my degree.” Happy emails. I really like them.
In addition to being an Academic Advisor, you're also a student. What degree are you currently pursuing?
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Anthropology. One thing that I like about Anthropology is that you can advocate for interdisciplinary research. I focus on biocultural approaches to human behavior and anthrozoology. These include human animal kinship and attachment dynamics, stress response mediation, emotional regulation and social engagement.
What made you choose that path?
A lot of my background and interests steered me here. While attending Humboldt State University, I applied as an apprentice at Kendalia Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation where I worked with exotic and native wildlife as well as companion animals. I realized I enjoyed caring for animals but also educating individuals on care and companionship of animals, and teaching others how to create exhibits. I was offered an opportunity to earn a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) at UNLV and decided to take it. During this time, I realized I really enjoyed education and advising individuals as well as learning about the mental health and well-being of individuals and how animals played a big role, which led me to the degree I am currently pursuing.
What has been the most challenging part of your academic journey to where you are now? What helped you face that challenge?
The most challenging part of my academic journey was being so sure of what I wanted to do and then realizing that I had no idea what I wanted. I was able to face this challenge by taking the time to figure it out: apprenticing, taking different jobs, and exploring different courses. Just talking to people, networking, exploring and figuring out what you want helps to ultimately make a decision.
In terms of your career, what are your hopes for the future?
My hope is to grow professionally in my advising career, but also to further explore my research interest in human-animal bonds which helps me draw in my passion for working with animals.
When you aren't at work or school, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy creating paintings, photography and building art with others. These activities are relaxing. It’s not just me thinking about what I’m doing. It’s incorporating a whole other person in the process and then having this really cool outcome.
What are your tips and tricks for balancing the various aspects of your life (school, work, family, etc.)?
Create a schedule and set goals and make sure you have a lot of time for school, work, family and most importantly, yourself, to do the things that you love. It’s a little hard to balance at first. I just have to create my schedule and say, “take this time.”
Based off your own journey, what is your advice to students who are exploring majors/careers?
You don’t have to make a decision on your major right away. Take the time to explore all your interests that you have as well as think about the career goals and how you want to get there. It’s okay to take your time.
What has been your silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic?
I learned about many hidden talents my cat possesses. She made a great office assistant.
|
|
|
Daniela Ramirez Varela
UNLV Freshman
UNLV Women's Soccer
|
Why did you choose to come to UNLV?
The main reason why I decided to come was because I was injured and I hadn’t played in a while. The head coach actually came to see me while I was injured. She told me it didn’t matter that I was injured. She still knows I’m a great player. I admired that a lot because a lot of other universities that I was talking to stopped talking to me because I couldn’t play. Also, there’s a lot of great programs here that I want to get into.
|
|
|
I've heard you took a COLA 100E First-Year Seminar in August. What was your experience taking that course? Where are you in your declaring a major or career path?
The class was very helpful. It gives you an understanding of the process of picking a major and everything about the major. For my major, I had declared to be a theater major but unfortunately it interferes with soccer. So right now, my two other options I’m choosing between for a major are psychology or criminal justice.
What is the most challenging thing about being a student-athlete? What helps you face that challenge?
The most challenging thing is not having enough time to just settle down. As a student-athlete, I get very stressed out because of all the homework, training, and rehab. Luckily, I’ve been able to learn skills to make that easier. The thing that helps most is being able to even just take 5 minutes at the end of the day before I go to bed. I do some breathing. I read a book. I just let all of my thoughts settle and be like, “Okay, you had a rough day. It’s been stressful. Just breathe. And then we do it again tomorrow and see if it will be better.”
What is the most rewarding part of being a student-athlete?
At the end of the day, I’m doing something that I love. I get to do that everyday and I think that’s such a reward. At the same time, I’m making my family proud. I’m making my friends proud. I think every student athlete can say that they are so grateful to have this opportunity.
How long have you been playing soccer? What do you love about soccer?
I started playing soccer when I was 4. From then, I’ve just loved playing it. Soccer is an outlet for me. If I’m stressed out and I just play soccer, I feel like I’m letting it all out. It’s a very comforting place and that’s why I love it so much.
How do you manage your time as a student-athlete?
I do all of my homework at the beginning of the week. Other than that, I just try and make sure that I know how my day looks so that I can say here’s the time that I can do homework.
What do you like about being back on campus now? What did you miss in virtual learning that you appreciate now?
I felt like it was way harder to learn via a camera and laptop. You don’t get as much of that one-on-one support that you may want. Especially in college, it’s so much harder to get in touch with a professor. You feel like you can’t understand it as well as you could in person. This was also my first time being on campus. I only saw it virtually. Being able to walk on the campus, it’s beautiful. I love it.
What role has the ASC played in your success at UNLV?
I’ve had one meeting so far with my academic success coach and they’re just so helpful. If you’re struggling to manage your time, if you’re just stressed out about your load, they’re a great outlet to talk about your goals and what you can do to achieve those goals.
Who is a person in your life that has been extremely influential to you? Why?
I really look up to my older brother. I almost quit soccer two years ago because of a bad injury and bad mental health. But my brother, he told me, “Daniela, you’re in a place where you can go and do amazing things, anywhere you could possibly imagine. That’s how talented you are. You are stronger than whatever it is that you’re feeling right now. So, fight through it.” When my brother got injured, he completely stopped playing. When he told me that, I was like, “I do want to play soccer. It is something I love. I want to do this for the rest of my life.” I’m not only going to do it for myself, I’m going to do it for him, because he couldn’t finish doing it. He couldn’t do what I’m doing right now and I want him to be that reason why I’m doing it.
What is one piece of advice you would give to new UNLV students?
Try new things. Don’t shy away from anything. That’s one thing I want to do. I want to enjoy the college experience because that’s what college is. It’s a new chapter in your life and you have to make the most of it.
|
|
|
|
The ASC has partnered with the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs' Department of Communication Studies to Launch a New Communications Lab! |
Prepare for class presentations or speeches
- Bring in your assignment and a rubric, if available
- Build your outline
- Refine your content
- Practice effective speaking strategies
Our Coaches
- Graduate students seeking M.A. degrees in Communication
- Experienced teaching COM 101 classes
Try our New Sound-Isolating Whisper Rooms!
|
|
|
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
3-5 PM
Thursday
2-5 PM
Virtual Drop-in Friday
11 AM - 1 PM
For additional information or
to make an appointment:
|
|
|
Academic Success Series:
The Nature of Success
Academic Success Coaching holds workshops throughout the semester to help students with a variety of topics.
|
|
-
Try Branching Out: Stay Connected - Learn about different involvement opportunities on campus. This workshop will discuss student organizations, volunteering opportunities, student employment, and the benefits of getting involved.
-
Cactus Makes Perfect: Create a Study Plan - Learn about different strategies to help you study for your upcoming exams. This workshop will discuss approaches to studying and identify different study aids to help you prepare for the rest of the semester.
-
Be-leaf in Yourself: Prepare for Exams - Learn about what preparation strategies you can take, outside of studying, to succeed on your next exam. This workshop will discuss creating a positive testing environment, identifying and coping with text anxiety, and steps to take to learn from your mistakes.
-
Against the Wind - Push Past Procrastination - Learn how to tackle procrastination! This workshop will discuss motivation, setting goals, and planning ahead.
|
|
Be sure to follow the ASC on Social Media! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
