Academic Advising in Higher Education
Daneiva Allevato
ELCS - Spring 2015
David Spight- Dean of Advising
After years of workin gin the residence halls, he found his passion providing academic advising to undecided students. In 2008, David was named the Assistant Dean for Academic Advising in the School of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Texas at Austin and was tasked with developing a new advising center for a new academic unit aimed at helping students explore majors. He has served as chair of the National Academic Advising Association’s (NACADA) Commission on Undecided/Exploratory Students. David earned an M.A. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a B.A. in history from Truman State University. David is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in higher education administration through the University of Alabama (University of Texas website, 2015).
Melanie Robinson- Academic Adviser
Before joining the Vick Center for Strategic Advising and Career Counseling, Melanie worked with several college access and readiness programs. She previously served an AmeriCorps term as a College Access Coach for College Forward in Austin, TX. While a coach, she worked with high school juniors on SAT and ACT test prep and assisted with college and financial aid processes and major exploration. Through her work in Texas at Austin Partners in Education and Sociedad Latina and Mujeres Unidas in Acción in Boston, she has experience in offering creative academic support and guidance to students from underserved populations. Melanie earned her B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Simmons College in Boston in 2012 (University of Texas website, 2015).
Melva Harbin- Program Coordinator
Melva joined the Vick Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling in November 2008 after serving as an advisor in various departments at UT, including the College of Liberal Arts, Department of Government, and McCombs School of Business. Prior to her academic advisor positions, she served as an admissions counselor at UT and Concordia University. In addition, Melva has served in many leadership roles within the Academic Counselors Association (ACA) and National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Melva earned a B.A. in behavioral sciences from Concordia University (University of Texas website, 2015).
Alexia Apollo - Senior Academic Adviser
Alexia first began working with college students as a resident assistant and peer advisor while completing her B.A. in psychology from St. Edward’s University. Inspired to continue helping students, she then went on to earn an M.A. in professional counseling with an emphasis in student affairs from Texas State University. As a graduate student, Alexia served as an intern in the Career Services office at Texas State University and in the College of Communication at UT. Prior to working at UT, she also gained experience in residence life at Concordia University and worked with students with disabilities at James Bowie High School and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (University of Texas website, 2015).
At the Vick Center, there are several different levels advisers can obtain with experience. For example, senior advisers generally have a graduate degree, while other advisers only have an undergraduate degree. This is different compared to Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) Advising at the University of Washington, which requires at least a Master's degree. The Vick Center also has a program coordinator, which UAA advising at UW does not. Instead, UAA advisers all have the exact same role, and work as a team to coordinate the program with the help of the Director of Advising.