Excellence in Academic Advising

EAA Taskforce

This project requires involvement from institutional stakeholders from across the institution as well as support from the external partners. The taskforce consists of: EAA Fellow, Institutional Liaisons, and five workgroups.

EAA Fellow: Amelia Noel-Elkins )

Noel Elkins

The EAA Fellow functions as the primary point of contact for the cohort institution liaisons who are leading the EAA process. Dr. Noel-Elkins provides feedback and guidance throughout the process to support the development and implementation of an evidence-based set of institutionally prioritized recommendations for change.

Institutional Liaisons

Dr. Allison Crume (Co-chair), Associate Vice President – Student Success, and Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Melissa Irvin (Co-chair), Assistant Dean of Advising & Analytics – Undergraduate Studies

Institutional Liaisons serve as the leaders of the EAA effort. They are responsible for the management of the Task Force and the completion of associated deliverables. They serve as the primary point of contact for the institution’s appointed EAA Fellow.

Conditions Committees

The EAA taskforce is rounded out with committees (or workgroups) based on the Nine Conditions of Excellence in Academic Advising. These workgroups are expected to collect evidence/examples (e.g., websites, job descriptions, training documents, professional development, communications, etc.) of advising work taking place on our campuses and share observations about their assigned condition. Participants include staff and faculty within and external to the academic advising community as well as undergraduate students.

Workgroup 1: Commitment group (Also serves as Steering Committee)

The Steering Committee serves as an advisory and support board for the EAA liaisons to aid in shaping the direction and progress of the taskforce. This team will also assess the Commitment condition, which is measured by the institution’s acknowledgement that academic advising in integral to the progress and success of students. This is demonstrated by establishing a mission and vision that reflects the core values of effective advising practice and aligns with the institution’s strategic priorities.

Workgroup membership

·         Dr. Allison Crume (Co-chair), Associate Vice President – Student Success, and Dean of Undergraduate Studies

·         Dr. Melissa Irvin (Co-chair), Assistant Dean of Advising & Analytics – Undergraduate Studies

·         Dr. Allison Cleveland-Roberts, Associate Dean for Academics – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Dr. Cindy DeLuca, Associate Vice President – Innovative Education

·         Julie Harding, Coordinator of Academic Advising – Muma College of Business

·         Solitaire Kelley, Senior Academic Advisor – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Melissa Lee, Academic Services Administrator – College of Public Health

·         Michelle McNulty, Assistant Director – New Student Connections

·         Dana Moser, Associate Director Resource Management & Development – Student Success

·         Glenna Schubert, Assistant Registrar

·         Daniel Shelnutt, Academic Advisor – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Dr. Jennifer VanDeWoestyne, Assistant Director of Academic Advising at USF in Sarasota-Manatee

·         Laura Zuppo, Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success 

 Workgroup 2: Learning + Student Purpose & Pathways Conditions group

This workgroup focuses on the Learning and Student Purpose & Pathways conditions. Learning is measured by acknowledging that “advising is teaching” and that effective advising experiences are aligned with specific student learning outcomes. Student Purpose and Pathways is defined by establishing comprehensive student planning experiences to integrate their programs of study with their educational, personal, and professional goals.

Workgroup Membership

·         Jessica Davis (Co-Chair, Learning Condition), Science Transfer Advisor – College of Arts & Sciences

·         Katie Pazda (Co-Chair, Student Purpose & Pathways Condition), Curriculum Integration Coordinator – USF World

·         Audra Santerre, Provost’s Scholars Program Advisor – Judy Genshaft Honors College

·         Jacoby Waldron, Academic Recruiter/Advisor – Office of Transfer Student Success

·         Lindsey Williams, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Retention – College of Education

·         Dr. Matthew Simmons, Experiential Learning Specialist – Office of Undergraduate Research

·         Sara Friedman, Learning and Developmental Facilitator – Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence

·         Shane Combs, Exploratory Academic Advisor – Office of Undergraduate Studies

·         Jessica Szempruch, Assistant Librarian – USF Libraries

·         Dr. Jeff Raker, Associate Professor – Department of Chemistry/College of Arts and Sciences

·         Dr. Anne Latowsky, Associate Professor – Department of World Language/College of Arts and Sciences

·         Antonia Robinson, 3rd and 4th Year Student Success Advocate – COMPASS Student Experience

·         Chazman McKoy, Coordinator for Academic Initiatives – Residential Education

Workgroup 3: Advisor Selection & Development + Improvement & Scholarship of Advising group

This workgroup focuses on the Advisor Selection & Development and Improvement & Scholarship of Advising conditions. Advisor Selection and Development is shaped by establishing effective and equitable search and hiring processes, onboarding, ongoing development, and reward and recognition practices for all levels within the advising community. Improvement and the Scholarship of Advising is exemplified by implementing a systematic assessment and iterative improvement cycle of academic advising programs. 

Workgroup membership

·         Dr. Joan Eldridge (Co-Chair, Improvement & Scholarship of Advising Condition), Coordinator of CAS Advising

·         Julia Myers (Co-Chair, Advisor Selection & Development Condition), Interim Director Student Programs and Academic Support – College of Nursing

·         Amanda Yesilbas, Assistant Librarian – USF Libraries

·         Brian Brennan, Academic Advisor – College of Engineering

·         Elissa Santos, Academic Advisor II – College of Public Health

·         Ashley Sowell, Academic Advisor – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Stephen Darville, Director Football Academics – Academic Services for USF Athletics

·         Leah Lapszynski, Academic Advisor II – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Dr. Kiri Kilpatrick, Associate Director – Office of Graduate Studies

·         Joseph Contes, Assistant Director – Student Outreach and Support

·         Chris Haynes, Assistant Director Student Services – USF Education Abroad

·         Justine Nandkishorelal, Academic Advisor – College of Nursing 

 Workgroup 4: Collaboration & Communication + Technology Enabled Advising group

This workgroup focuses on the Collaboration & Communication and Technology Enabled Advising conditions. Collaboration and communication are measured by building effective partnerships between the advising community and stakeholders across campus. Technology enabled advising considers the role technology plays in facilitating effective advising practice, and the process and practices around the use of technology.

Workgroup membership

·         Reggie Lucien (Co-chair, Technology Condition), Director of Advising – Judy Genshaft Honors College

·         Kelly Pearson (Co-chair, Collaboration Condition), Academic Services Administrator – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Amanda Vasquez, 1st and 2nd Year Student Success Advocate, COMPASS Student Experience

·         Cristina Ramirez, Assistant Director Recruitment – Innovative Education

·         Leslie Tod, Director – Office of Academic Advocacy

·         Shaina Gonzalez, Academic Enhancement Coordinator – Office of Veterans Success

·         Sharon Loschiavo, Academic Advisor – College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

·         Aaron Reecher, Graduate Academic Advisor and Admissions Specialist – Student Success

·         Mary Cuthbertson, Academic Advisor – College of Arts and Sciences

·         Erik Tandberg, Product Owner Archivum – Office of Information Technology

·         Tanya Vomacka, Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement – Office of the Provost

 Workgroup 5: Organization + Equity, Inclusion & Diversity group

This workgroup focuses on the Organization and Equity, Inclusion & Diversity conditions. Organization considers assess whether advising programs are intentionally designed and resourced for effective practice. Equity, inclusion, and diversity are measured by evidence of an inclusive and respectful culture of diverse identities and beliefs, both experienced by advising and created by advising for others.

Workgroup membership

·         Kilpatry Cuesta (Co-chair, Organization Condition), Director Academic Advising at USF in St. Petersburg

·         Kevin Lee (Co-chair, Equity/Diversity Condition), Academic Advisor – Judy Genshaft Honors College

·         Kydani Dover, Director of Student Learning Services – Academic Services for USF Athletics

·         Dr. Alexis Mootoo, Assistant Vice-President Resource Management & Development – Student Success

·         Wayne Taylor, Assistant Director – Office of Veterans Success

·         Jenny Schultz, Associate Director Academic & Learning Support – INTO USF

·         Serge Desir, Director – Student Access & Support Services

·         Mike Stowe, Academic Advisor, College of Arts and Sciences

·         Topher Mowry, Academic Advisor – USF in Sarasota-Manatee

·         Maikelyn Lopez, Academic Advisor – College of Nursing

·         Megan Anthony, Academic Advisor – College of Behavioral and Community Sciences