Tag: UAC

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Office of General Education Peer Academic Leaders University Advising Center

Join the Office of General Education and the University Advising Center at Success Fest

The Office of General Education and the University Advising Center (UAC) will be hosting their semesterly event, Success Fest, on September 26th from 11:30am-1:30pm in Laura Lee Blanton rooms 108/110.

Success Fest is an event dedicated to promoting usage and adoption of Degree Planner among undergraduate students. The event was first held in Spring 2024, and resulted in 1,938 students using Degree Planner over a month long period.

Students can enter Success Fest by showing proof of a completed Degree Planner or by completing Degree Planner on the spot during the event. The event will have games, raffles, a crafting station, and free food. RSVP’s are encouraged via SMU 360, but walk-ins are welcome.

The deadlines to complete Degree Planner are now on the SMU academic calendar, with an October 1st deadline for the fall semester and March 1st deadline for the spring semester.

Advisors from the UAC and the Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) will be hosting Degree Planner workshops in the coming weeks before the October 1st deadline. Students can also book a 1-1 appointment with a PAL in Blanton suite 338.

Staff and faculty are also welcome to stop by Success Fest, and are encouraged to promote the event to undergraduate students.

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University Advising Center

University Advising Center Welcomes Two New Advisors to the Hilltop

Photo of Laura Lee Blanton Building, where the University Advising Center is located.

The University Advising Center has made some new additions to our staff this month. Veronica Gutierrez and Amy ‘Ricki’ Ward joined us just in time for the holiday season cheer.

Headshot of Ricki Ward, a new Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center.A native Texan, Ricki is a 2002 graduate of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in both History and Psychology.  She then earned her Texas Teacher Certification via LeTourneau University’s Post-Baccalaureate Educator Certification Program.  She began her career as a teacher at Dallas Academy, where she specialized in creating and implementing personalized curriculum for students with learning differences.  Most recently, Ricki taught 4th grade math and science in Garland ISD, and was awarded 2022-23 Teacher of the Year at Dorsey Elementary in Rowlett.  She lives in Rowlett with her husband, Tony, her two teenage children, Bailey and Jake, and her black lab, Charlie.  Ricki is a lifelong Texas Rangers fan and avid reader, and recently began volunteering as a camera operator for Explore.org. Her email is arward@smu.edu and her office number is (214) 768-6835.

Headshot of Veronica Gutierrez, a new Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center.

Veronica Gutierrez joins the University Advising Center after spending 29 years in public education as an elementary school teacher and counselor. Veronica graduated from Paris Junior College and Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She also received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Veronica was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and has always loved the beauty of the SMU campus. She is very excited to start this new journey. Her email is vgutierrez@smu.edu and her office number is (214) 768-6836.

Please join the University Advising Center in welcoming our two new advisors to the Hilltop!

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University Advising Center

The University Advising Center welcomes new Academic Advisor Benjamin Mandelbaum

Headshot of Ben Mandelbaum.

The University Advising Center is very pleased to share that Ben Mandelbaum has joined us as our newest Academic Advisor! Ben joins us after spending 7 seasons as a college basketball coach. In his most recent position, he coached the Alcorn State University Men’s Basketball team to the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship.  Ben is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he received his Bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received his Master’s degree in Exercise Science. New to Dallas, Ben has enjoyed exploring the Dallas area by visiting museums, attending shows, and taking in sporting events. In his free time, Ben likes following his favorite sports teams, traveling to the beach, and listening to podcasts.

His email is bmandelbaum@smu.edu and his phone number is 214-768-6790.    Join us in welcoming Ben to the UAC and to SMU!

Headshot of Ben Mandelbaum.
Headshot of Ben Mandelbaum.
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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

Michelle Gaunt joins the University Advising Center

We are pleased to announce that Michelle Gaunt has joined the UAC as our newest Academic Advisor.

Michelle is a proud SMU alumnus with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English Literature and Composition. She has taught at secondary schools in Dallas ISD, Austin ISD, and universities in Texas and Arizona.   She is dedicated to promoting art and literature in public education through PTA committees, community outreach programs, and other channels, and also co-authors contemporary women’s fiction.  She is excited to return to the Hilltop!

Michelle will carry a generalist caseload of advisees.  Her email is mgaunt@smu.edu and her phone is x8-2815.  Please join the University Advising Center in welcoming her!

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Offices & Programs Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

New Office Coordinator, Gerralynn McKenna, joins the University Advising Center

The University Advising Center is pleased to share that Gerralynn McKenna has joined our office as our newest Coordinator! Gerralynn comes to SMU after teaching elementary special education for 4 years. She recently moved to Dallas from Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband . She enjoys hiking, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and reading. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to SMU!

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Offices & Programs University Advising Center

University Advising Center – New Academic Advisor Vivian Fowler

The University Advising Center is pleased to share that Vivian Fowler has joined the UAC as our newest Academic Advisor!

Vivian is an SMU alum, having received her Bachelor’s degree here in Physical Education.  She attended SMU during the death penalty days! After moving to Alabama with her husband, she received a Master’s in Nutrition from Alabama A&M and a PhD in Kinesiology from The University of Alabama. She has taught physical education in K-12, high school biology, and was an assistant professor in HPER at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. She has also coached women’s volleyball, basketball, track and golf at the middle and high school levels.  Vivian has three children, two cats and a dog, Gus. She recently spent 3 1/2 years in Lima, Peru- returning to Dallas August of 2021.  She enjoys playing golf, practicing her Spanish, and spending time with her family.

 

Vivian will carry a generalist caseload of advisees, but her specialty areas will include:  UHP Pre-Health students, liaison to W. Golf, Rowing, Tennis, and advisor to the Prelude students.  She will also be our liaison to the Hilltop Scholars Program.

 

Her email is vfowler@smu.edu. Please join us in welcoming Vivian back to SMU!

 

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University Advising Center

University Advising Center New Staff Member

Brandi Primm, Newest UAC Advisor

The University Advising Center is pleased to share that Brandi Primm has joined us as our newest Academic Advisor! Brandi comes to SMU after working as a High School Counselor for the last twenty years in Garland and Richardson ISDs. Prior to that, she was a math teacher for 9 years.  Brandi and her husband, Rusty, enjoy attending concerts and sporting events. They also enjoy traveling and hiking whenever they get the chance. They have two dogs – a 7 year old Beagle named Dirk and a 6 year old Pug named Dez. Brandi will be a generalist advisor for now, but will likely be taking on some specialist/liaison roles in the months ahead.

Please help us in welcoming her to the Hilltop!

Brandi Primm, Newest UAC Advisor
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University Advising Center

Classes start! Last day to edit schedule on August 26th!

Today, August 22nd, SMU students are welcomed to the first day of the Fall 2022 Semester. Throughout the week students are able to make changes to their classes and schedules by adding and swapping courses in my.SMU.

On Friday, August 26th, the ability to do so will pass! Students wishing to adjust their class schedule will only be able to drop courses moving past this date.

Be sure to be in contact with your Academic Advisor if you are thinking about adding, swapping, or dropping courses that make changes to your schedule. You can make appointments through booking.smu.edu, contact your advisor through email or phone, or make an appointment in person to visit them in their office.

The University Advising Center is located in Blanton 408 on the 4th Floor, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 12:00pm, and 1:00pm-5:00pm.