CoffeeBreak is an e-newsletter distributed to Averett faculty and staff to keep them up-to-date on campus activities and information. Please send information you would like included in CoffeeBreak via this form by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Mar. 10, for a Wednesday, Mar. 15, publication.

GPS Education Employees

Ashley S. Patterson, the part-time administrative assistant to the program director of GPS Education, has been working in the Richmond office since January. Ashley is an alumnus who earned her bachelor’s of science in clinical counseling psychology from Averett College in 1998, and her master’s in business administration from Averett University in 2015. She previously taught special education in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia school systems.

Dr. Cathy Cutright was named the program director for GPS Education in July 2016. She holds a Ph.D. in leadership K-12 from Walden University. Before starting this position, Dr. Cutright taught in the MED/GPS program as an adjunct for six years. Dr. Cutright has experience as a professional developer of curricula, school administrator, instructional specialist, language arts teacher and special education teacher in K-12 grades. She is excited to be working with staff and students at Averett.

Averett Faculty Perform at Virginia District VI Choral Festival

Dr. Anne Lewis, professor of music, and Mr. Tim Navis, instructor of music, were the pianists for Virginia’s District VI High School Honor Choruses during the weekend of February 10. Dr. Gail Allen, retired professor of music, and Dr. Caroline Crupi, instructor of music, were also involved in adjudicating auditions for the Virginia All-State High School Honor Choirs. Averett alumni, Heather Anderson and Leslie Blair, were in the choirs.

GPS Student Spotlight

Throughout the month, the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) admissions team interviews and highlights our GPS students. We hope you will enjoy learning more about these amazing members of our Averett family!

Meet Emily Wild who is pursuing her master’s of business administration and is expected to graduate in 2017.

What is your motivation for obtaining your degree? “My motivation for obtaining my degree is to open my career up to new opportunities. As a healthcare professional, I felt the best way to advance my career was with additional education that I can bring to the field.”

Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? “I chose the Averett GPS program for the on-site cohort experience. I wanted to learn alongside others in an interactive environment. I also knew several successful professionals who went through the program.”

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students. “One tip I have for a busy professional considering a return to school is that you will make time for what is important to you. If you have the drive to continue your education, you will make the time to be successful.”

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program? “My motivation is a better future and a more meaningful career. My fellow students also provide me with lots of motivation as we have grown very close in the last 2 years.”

The latest: Graduate and Professional Studies

Have you checked out the GPS website lately? This past December, GPS had the privilege of interviewing several of our amazing graduates and their families as they attended Winter Commencement. We recorded our graduates sharing their Averett experiences and what their degrees mean to them. We encourage you to visit our website’s home page, click here and watch, “Why Averett, Watch Now.” Their stories are truly inspiring, and we are honored to call these wonderful graduates Averett alumni.

While you are on our website, please make sure you spend a few moments checking out some of our latest additions: our new GPS blog, new student testimonial videos and social media posts. You can find links to each of those by navigating to “Why Averett?” on the left. We add new student spotlights and inspiring content on our GPS blog and social media sites weekly, and we’ve added four new videos under student testimonials that you won’t want to miss!

As always, we thank our Averett family for your support of the GPS program, and we encourage you to continue sharing the good news about GPS to your friends, family and colleagues! We have start opportunities for adult learners every month, and offer associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, criminal justice, leadership, nursing and education.

Engage Showcase Awards

The Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness’ (CCECC) 3rd Annual Engagement Showcase is focused on recognizing the great work of students, faculty and staff who have been engaged in volunteerism, internships and service-learning at Averett University. For the first time, the Engage Showcase is partnering with the Honors Awards Program to simultaneously recognize student groups, research and other academic achievements.

To nominate a student, instructor or community partner you believe is an outstanding engage leader to receive an Engage Leader Award, please visit the criteria for award nominations and the award application. All applications must be submitted by Friday, Mar. 24. If you or others would like to present your community work or have any questions, please email Brigid Belko at [email protected]. The Annual Engage Showcase and Honors Awards will take place Monday, Apr. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center lobby.

Swap Shop

The Office of Student Engagement will be holding the second annual “Swap Shop.” We will accept items such as clothing, jewelry, cookware, shoes, decorative items, etc. Please bring any items you no longer use or wear to the Office of Student Engagement, room 412 of the Student Center, before Wednesday, Mar. 15.

On that day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., students, faculty and staff will all be invited to the multipurpose room and encouraged to take any items that have been donated. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Medicare Program Presentation

Carolyn B. Smith, Marketplace Agency & ElderCare Associates, Inc., president & CEO, and her associates will discuss coverage options before you turn 65, explain how Medicare works for you, what plans are available, and when to enroll into your plan choices. Their focus is on personalized service. The presentation is designed to be educational and informative and is not a sales opportunity for the agency. Join us Wednesday, May 10, from 2-4 p.m. in the multipurpose room.

Please email Kathie Tune at [email protected]  if you are interested so she can make sure an information booklet is available for you.

Sam’s Club on Campus

Sam’s Club Representative, Karen Shields, will be on campus Tuesday, Mar. 14 and Wednesday, Mar. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the dining hall. She is available for renewals, which can be done months in advance and as always, new members.

Liberty Tax Service

Liberty Tax Service wants to show their appreciation to all faculty and staff at Averett University by offering free tax preparation for new customers and 30 percent off for returning customers between March 1 and 31. Call (434) 793-1090 or (434) 797-1036 for more information.

Healthy Solutions

Save the Date! Spring Wellness Screening Day will take place Thursday, April 6, from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Additional details to follow so stay tuned to CoffeeBreak and your Averett email.

Averett University Cafeteria Plan

Participants of the Averett University cafeteria plan, please note that on Jan. 1, we amended the plan for plan the year beginning on or after January 1, 2017 to include AFLAC Supplemental Insurance benefits. The full memo is listed here and the corresponding amendment is listed on the intranet.