Updates from the Undergraduate Advising Center
We are thrilled to share exciting updates and developments from the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) as we continue to strive towards enhancing the academic experience of our students.
Welcoming New Team Members:
We are delighted to announce the addition of four new exceptional individuals to our team, who will play pivotal roles in furthering the mission of the UAC:
- Sara Leavitt, Assistant Dean of Proactive Advising Initiatives
- Haneen Jaara, Assistant Dean of Academic Enrichment and Advising Support
- Laura Harvey, Staff Associate, Advising and New Student Orientation
- Valerie Nam, Staff Associate, Advising and New Student Programming
Their diverse expertise and previous experiences will undoubtedly enrich our efforts to provide comprehensive support and guidance to MIT undergraduates.
Student Leader Updates
A new cohort of 190 outstanding Associate Advisors (AA) has been selected for the 2024-25 academic year. In addition, the UAC has identified 3 AA Captains, each selected for their experience and exceptional dedication to the AA program: Caroline Ibanez, Gabbie Girard, and Kate Sanderson. This important role will set the tone for advising in the 2024-2025 academic year, align with the UAC mission, and bring associate advising to the next level.
The Office of the First Year is already gearing up to welcome the class of 2028! We trained 70 of our new Orientation Leaders (OL), a group of students from nearly all majors. Our Orientation Leaders are excited to share their wisdom and insight, guide new students, and introduce our new community members to MIT. They will assist with CPW and participate in a multi-day training this summer to prepare to welcome the new class of students.
Engaging Student Events
Prior to the start of spring term, the Office of the First Year hosted a First Year inFormation Fair (F3) where students attended sessions on major exploration, career preparedness, and experiential learning opportunities. The day finished with a keynote from Vice Provost Paula Hammond, where she spoke about intellectual curiosity and how to succeed at MIT. The next day, OFY hosted the Night at the Museum, where the blue wing of the Museum of Science was rented out for the entire first year class. Well over 600 students attended and several students said it was the highlight of their first year at MIT!
Over the past few months, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting numerous engaging events aimed at fostering student success and community-building. Highlights include several “Sip with Diep” boba tea events, including a special session with Chancellor Melissa Nobles. On Add Date, the UAC hosted an “Addition Competition” where students were challenged with addition problems and we crowned one student the fastest and most accurate additionist. We also partnered with MindHandHeart to distribute 5000 pies on Pi Day, adding a touch of sweetness to the academic hustle. Additionally, we facilitated a series of “choice of major” events, helping first-year students navigate their academic pathways with confidence.
As part of our commitment to comprehensive advising, we are continuously expanding our UAC advising curriculum. We’re thrilled to announce our inaugural UAC advising event for rising sophomores, “Meet Your UAC Advisor,” scheduled for May 2nd. This event will provide students an opportunity to meet their assigned UAC Advisor, and to learn more about UAC support services for the duration of their tenure at MIT. Furthermore, the UAC is in the final stages of selecting a student success platform. With just four remaining demonstrations to evaluate, we are nearing a decision that will significantly influence the advising experience of MIT students and advisors.
Expansion of UAC Advising Curriculum
The UAC has had a fantastic spring semester. With the addition of our talented new team members and the expansion of our advising initiatives, we are poised to enhance the academic experience for all MIT undergraduates in the coming Fall semester and beyond.
— Katy Warner, UAC