Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference, which was initially slated to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was held virtually during the second week of October. Sessions were available on a wide variety of advising-related topics and presented as a mixture of live, semi-live, and on demand.
One workshop that resonated with me was The Necessity of Failure for Academic Success: The Reconceptualization of Failure presented by Sean Kramer-Lazar of the University of Arizona. This workshop was able to engage an audience of over 200 via Zoom by using tools such as Mentimeter. Mentimeter enables real-time polling of the audience and displays the responses in interactive forms such as a word cloud, tabs, etc. Furthermore, audience members were able to go into small breakouts and discuss theories such as Holland’s Theory and Pattern of College Student Success, Bandura’s Theory of Self-Efficacy and best practices from their institutions in terms of working with failure.
What was impressive about this session is that in a short amount of time, it was able to breakdown tough concepts such as students dealing with failure for the first time as well as what advisors can learn about the data on failure. We often think of failure as an emotion and only an emotion, however there can be lessons learned about failure on both personal and institutional levels.
A session that I was able to watch on demand, “Instagram in a (half) hour: Tips for taking your Instagram content to the next level,” presented by the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida, was very helpful in these nontraditional times. This session focused on the partnership between students and staff to utilize a college’s social media to be effective in promoting both academic and student affairs related content. Though we know that social media is constantly changing, the presentation highlighted that 75% of 18-24 year olds use Instagram. As the ASC utilizes several forms of social media and I frequently create content as the Social Media and Communications coordinator for NACADA Region 9, I was especially keen to learn how to make this platform even more useful to our students as well as colleagues.
Overall, even though the virtual conference was a first of its kind for NACADA, it was still a useful opportunity to gain new knowledge and connect with colleagues. Though we may not able to be physically together, it was refreshing to know that we are all working together to best serve our students in an ever changing environment one day, one hour, one session at a time.
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First-Generation Celebration Week: November 6 - 13 |
ASC First-Gen Connect: What is First?
11/10/2020
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Event will include a panel discussion on what it's like to be a first-generation student and common resources and tips to combat potential obstacles. Attendees will also have the opportunity to create a visual representation and keepsake of their identity.
Free & Open to All Students
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Attend a Virtual Academic Success Coaching Workshop
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With the November Rising Toward Success Series:
- Managing Money (11/2, 11/3, 11/4)
- Creating and Giving (11/9, 11/10)
- Finishing Strong (11/16, 11/17, 11/18)
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Rebel Preview: Saturday, 11/14
Share the ASC's Live Sessions with your friends and family!
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9:00 - 9:30 AM - Exploring & Major Pathways - Explore the relationship between UNLV's majors and your career goals.
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9:30 - 10:00 AM - Placement Tests/Bridge Programs - Hear more about Math and English placement for your first semester
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10:00 - 10:30 AM - Academic Success Resources (First-Year Seminar, Tutoring, Success Coaching, and More!) - Learn about Academic Success Center services aimed at student success and transition.
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10:30 - 11:00 AM - Academic Success Center Panel for Students - Q & A opportunity for current students to hear from the academic success professionals.
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Presentations:
- Gianoutsos, D., White, M. A., Smith, B., & Stella, N. (2020). Path to success: Examining a multifaceted retention model for major pathways students at a large, diverse, research university. Paper to be presented at the National Symposium on Student Retention.
- Gianoutsos, D., Shreve, E., & Hartley, K. (2020). Smartphone appetite: Analyzing freshmen's smartphone app usage at a large, diverse, research university. Poster to be presented at the National Symposium on Student Retention.
- Smith, B., White, M. A., & Gianoutsos, D. (2020). Exploring differences in majors. Poster to be presented at the National Symposium on Student Retention.
Workshops:
- Two ASC Tutors and Goldwater Scholars, Alvaro Carbonero and Michael Schwob, together with their colleague, Ava Platt, presented a virtual workshop titled, "How to Get Into Research Programs." This workshop was in partnership with the Honors College and showed UNLV undergraduate students how they could find and apply for reputable research program opportunities.
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Recognition:
- The ASC recognized the hard work of our student staff during Tutor Appreciation Week (October 12 - 16) and Supplemental Instruction Appreciation Week (September 28 - October 2). Pictured are SI Leaders and GAs networking during an online mixer.
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STUDENT & STAFF SPOTLIGHTS |
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Lillian Shaw
UNLV Sophomore & Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
B.S. Pre-Professional Biology
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Why did you choose to come to UNLV?
I have lived in Henderson my whole life and in high school took Dual Enrollment classes through the Academic Success Center's Dual Enrollment Program. When I graduated, I wanted to stay home for family, friend, and money reasons. Since I already took classes and was familiar, and liked how the classes were, I stayed at UNLV.
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What role has the ASC played in your success at UNLV?
The ASC has been really present throughout my whole time - starting in the dual enrollment program. I even had my first UNLV class in the ASC building. It was really helpful with the transition, organization, staying on top of due dates. They give us resources that would allow us to develop easier and keep you less stressed.
What are your plans after graduating?
I want to go to medical school and become an ObGyn. I'm thinking of applying and talking to people in the hospital and medical field about where to go. I'm going to try to stay at UNLV.
What is one piece of advice you would give to new UNLV students?
I would tell new students that UNLV is just like any other university. You need to make time for yourself and time for your assignments. Make sure not to be too overwhelmed. I have a great support team and resources, which helped me a lot of times when I was stressed or overwhelmed with material.
What’s one good thing that you’ve learned or discovered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I've learned that everyone is going through it - not just you. If you feel it's unfair, it's probably not meant to be. Even if it's new, we shouldn't take it as an extended vacation.
Let's say we finish this interview and you step outside your door and find a winning lottery ticket. What would you do?
I would use part of it for my family. My dad has a small business that is really being affected by covid. I'd save part of it for medical school. Of course, I'd save some of it too, for clothes.
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Graduate Assistant,
Student-Athlete Academic Services
What originally drew you to work and attend graduate school at UNLV?
I was originally from Las Vegas and was recruited here as an undergraduate to play soccer - midfield. I did my undergraduate work here and didn't really see myself doing hospitality (my major). I spoke with Alan, the Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS), because I was interested in his type of position. Working in SAAS was something that interested me because I wanted to do it for other student-athletes. I wanted to use my experience to have a career path after being a student-athlete.
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What is your current graduate program and what do you hope to do once you graduate?
I'm in the Higher Education masters program in the College of Education. Actually, I would like to work in the same position, as a student-athlete academic advisor.
What surprised you about UNLV?
I was surprised that UNLV was so diverse. It really helps me in gaining all of the experience I need to help diverse student-athletes. It's really cool that there's so much diversity. I'm also in a diversity class in my masters program that help me understand these needs. It's a real-life experience being on this diverse campus.
Describe your role in the ASC and what you like best about your position.
As a graduate assistant for SAAS, I work primarily with the spirit squads. I have monthly meetings with the Pom team and bi-weekly meeting with Cheer. We review classes, see if adding a mid-semester class or dropping a class is necessary, overall, just making sure classes are going well.
The job is super interactive. When I started, I didn't know I would get to work with a team, but it's great to get the hands-on experience. I've also been able to learn about initial and continuing eligibility. It's super helpful to have this experience. Also, my classes align with my work - it really makes it easy to want to pay attention!
What is your favorite piece of advice for UNLV students?
Because I was a student-athlete, I always would tell others to always think about what you want to do post-athletic career. Your sport will only last so long - four years. Don't focus only on your sport. Gain experience and think about what you want after your sport is finished.
Who is someone on campus that you would like to thank? Why?
Definitely Alan Hott - he introduced me to the GA position and really shaped my experience at UNLV. He taught me to learn as a student, not only as a student-athlete - how to think about being successful after college.
What is one thing on your wish list for UNLV over the next 10 years? Something on your personal wish list?
Sports-wise - get a bigger soccer stadium. The new Women's Soccer coach can bring in a bigger fan base. For students, not only on campus, but off campus, more school spirit. I wish this was less of a commuter school. I wish there were more opportunities to get involved while on campus.
For my personal bucket list, I'd like to be an athletic advisor at a well-known university, not necessarily in the Power 5, and UNLV would be awesome, but I'd love to work with a larger athletic program. Also, I'd like to go to Switzerland over Christmastime and skydive over the Swiss Alps. I've seen people do this and it seems unreal. (When asked if she had been skydiving before) No, this would be a super cool first experience. I just got my passport right before covid and was going to go to London. I'm hoping to go sometime soon.
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Be Ready for Registration!
Registration for Spring 2021 starts November 2nd! Here are a few tips to ensure you are ready to register:
- Log in to your myUNLV portal to determine your exact date/time you are able to start registering. Click on "Student Center - Classic" and it will be on the right hand side under "Enrollment Dates."
- Take care of any holds that may be on your account before your registration date.
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Meet with your Academic Advisor to be sure you are taking the correct classes. You can schedule an appointment by contacting the Advising Center for your major.
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Reference the Registrar's Student Registration Guide to help with navigating myUNLV.
- Be sure to pay your bill on time to avoid any late fees.
UNLV's Office of Online Education put together the important graphic below to assist students in understanding the different class modes that will be available for Spring 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNLV will be offering six different modalities to best serve the UNLV community.
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Be sure to follow the ASC on Social Media! |
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IMPORTANT
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES
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UNLV's school code: 002569
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Hixson-Lied Success Scholarship Program:
Applications Open Now!
Thousands of students across Nevada may never have the opportunity to earn a college degree primarily because of economic and academic challenges, and there are very few programs in place to help these students. The UNLV Hixson-Lied Success Scholars Program helps make a difference in the lives of these students by providing both financial and academic support through the ASC.
The program provides students:
- A scholarship in the amount of $1,250 per semester ($2,500 per year) for up to eight semesters.
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Academic Success Coaching sessions.
- The ability to make a difference through serving peers and giving back to UNLV.
- Access to the Hixson-Lied Success Scholars Newsletter, a monthly newsletter created by the scholars.
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