Spring Semester UAC Update
UAC Workshop Series
[Photo: OVC1 – Brittney Francisco and Kurt-Michael Songcog inviting students to UAC workshops.]
This spring, the Advising and Academic Achievement subunit launched a new Student Success Workshop Series, furthering the UAC’s mission to holistically support students. Open to all undergraduate students, the series of five different workshops were designed to develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Workshop topics included time management, self-assessment, faculty engagement, and building resilience. Students were not only introduced to new strategies, but they also had the opportunity to share their own “wins” and personal approaches with their fellow participants.
These sessions empowered students with actionable tools that foster personal growth and also support their academic success. We’re excited to expand the workshop offerings with more topics in the upcoming fall semester.
NASPA Conference Presentations
[Photo: OVC2 – Kurt, Sadé, and Tiffany at NASPA]
Last month, Sadé Abraham, associate dean, Kurt-Michael Songcog, staff associate, and Tiffany Low, staff associate, represented the UAC at the NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education conference in New Orleans. They delivered two standout breakout sessions that drew overwhelmingly positive responses.
In one session, first-time attendees Kurt and Tiffany co-presented with Sadé on fostering harmony within multigenerational teams in higher education. In another, Tiffany and Sadé joined Marvin Baclic, assistant director from Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, to co-present strategies for supporting FLI students in a session that was selected as a sponsored presentation by the Socioeconomic and Class Issues in Higher Education Knowledge Community.
We’re incredibly proud of our Advising and Student Belonging (ASB) team for representing the UAC and MIT with such insight, professionalism, and passion!
Student Leadership
[Photo: OVC5 – OL training and community building activity.]
The ASB and OFY teams are gearing up to welcome the Class of 2029! Student leadership positions – Orientation Leaders and Associate Advisors – have been filled by current MIT students interested in making a meaningful impact on the first-year experience.
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are upper-level students who volunteer to lead groups of first-years through Orientation Week. OLs are vital to the success of Orientation; they build community among the incoming class, and also offer the MIT student perspective. This year we’re thrilled to have over 60 OLs, including 14 captains, representing a wide range of class years, majors, student organizations, FSILGS, and athletic teams.
Associate Advisors (AAs) are also volunteer upper-level students matched with departmental advisors to provide academic support and resources to groups of first-year students. AAs offer academic guidance, share campus resources, and provide valuable insight based on their own MIT experience. Training for AAs begins in late April, and with over 130 AAs onboard, our Class of 2029 will be well-supported by peers who understand both the challenges and rewards of being an MIT student.
Events
[Photo: OVC3 – Pi Day table. Photo: OVC4 – Abigail Winn, Jocelyn Heywood, and John Sandoval pass out pies.]
[Photo: OVC6 – The UAC Team on the first day of class.]
The UAC hosted a wide range of events this semester to inform, support, and connect students – with one another, with our team, and with other campus partners.
Office of the First Year (OFY) started the spring semester off strong in February with a Night at the Museum of Science for first-years. Other events for first-year students included faculty lunches, drop-in hubs, and partner events like “Fall in Love With Your Finances” with Student Financial Services.
The UAC hosted events tailored for upper-level students like the HASS Concentration event for all HASS concentration form questions, “Sip with Diep” events with special guest Vice Chancellor Dave Darmofal, and daily drop-in advising hours.
The UAC was also thrilled to participate in RAK Week with MindHandHeart. This year, the UAC passed out mid-week sweet treats to our sophomore advisees with positive affirmations and a reminder of our drop-in advising hours. OFY partnered with MindHandHeart for Pi Day to sponsor the 5000 pies that were passed out this year. UAC staff happily donned the Tim aprons and toques with other OVC folks to celebrate π with the MIT community.
— Stephanie Hamilton, UAC