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, Apr. 14, for a Wednesday, Apr. 19, publication.

Student Accolades

The Student Life department recognizes students that go the extra mile in whatever they are doing on campus. Each week, the staff meets to select students for recognition for their dedication to Averett, and they are notified they’ve been nominated for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card. At the end of the semester, the names are put into a bowl and we draw the name of one lucky student. This is our way to let the students know we appreciate all that they do.

This week, Student Life would like to nominate Amanda Wright, Paige Robbins and Clarice Ellinger.

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!

Today, meet Phelice Brown, who is pursuing her master’s of business administration. She is expected to graduate in 2018.

What is your motivation for obtaining your degree? “Obtaining my degree has always been something I have wanted to do. I am the first person in my immediate family to obtain a college degree. I received my undergraduate degree in May of 2016 from Averett and after much encouragement from some of my professors and my two adult daughters, I enrolled in Averett’s graduate program.”

Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? “I chose Averett because the GPS program was doable, and I could complete my undergrad within two or two and a half years. It was not easy but I managed, and finally receiving my degree was one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced.”

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students. “The one takeaway I received from my experience in the Averett GPS program is it’s not always going to be easy, but the outcome will be well worth it. Just remember the goal you have set for yourself and work at achieving it one class at a time!”

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program? “The thing that keeps me motivated in the program is knowing that I have started a trend within my family. Since I received my degree, my oldest daughter has enrolled in a GPS undergraduate program here at Averett, and my youngest daughter will graduate in May 2017 from a phlebotomist program she is enrolled in, and she is already trying to figure out what her next educational venture will be.”

President’s Special Announcement

President Tiffany Franks and the Averett Board of Trustees cordially invite you to a Special Announcement on Thursday, Apr. 20, at 11:30 a.m. in front of the steps of Main Hall. The announcement will be followed by lunch on the lawn of Main Hall. Please RSVP to Jennifer Hooper at (434) 791-7184 or [email protected] by the end of the day.

Mindset Minute: Averett’s QEP

Ever wonder from what research our QEP was founded? Want ideas on how to develop a growth mindset in your students? Each week we will provide a snapshot into the world of growth mindset research and practice through “Mindset Minute,” where you can check back for more tips and links to key related research and application.

Here’s a snippet pulled directly from the QEP report about growth mindset intervention our QEP outlines for our incoming freshmen:

Yeager et al. (2016) looked at the impact of a growth mindset education module on the likelihood that freshmen at a four-year public university would complete at least 12 credit hours during each of their first two semesters — a leading predictor of on-time graduation. More than 7,300 students participated in the study. Here the intervention was particularly effective with students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In the control condition, 69 percent of disadvantaged students and 79 percent of advantaged students completed two semesters as full-time students. Among those receiving the intervention, 73 percent of the disadvantaged students and 80 percent of advantaged students completed two semesters of full-time enrollment – decreasing the inequality between these two groups by 40 percent.

The Great Colleges Survey: A Year in Review

The Chronicle Great Colleges to Work For® program is designed to recognize colleges that have been successful in creating great workplaces and to further research and understanding of the factors, dynamics and influences that have the most impact on organizational culture at higher education institutions.

Averett University has participated in the survey program since 2012 with excellent response rates each year. Our response rate averages 55.7 percent, well above the benchmark for participation (40 percent in 2016). The Employee Comments Report provides additional insight into the experience of our faculty, administration and staff. When Averett full-time employees completed the survey, they were asked two open-ended questions: What do you appreciate most about working at this institution? And what would make this institution a better place to work? Our satisfaction rating overall was 65.7 percent, placing us in the Good category. Our goal is to reach the 75 percent mark next year, which will place us in the Very Good to Excellent category.

Since the results and comments were released, we wanted to highlight some of the initiatives that have been implemented in response to those comments for the next several editions of CoffeeBreak. We will continue with these entries again in the fall semester until the next survey is completed in spring 2018. Thank you to all faculty, staff and committee members for your hard work, commitment and dedication to identifying ways to make Averett University a better place to work and ultimately, a Great College to Work For.

Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards

It’s that time of year again to recognize our outstanding faculty and staff members at Averett! Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you are nominating for the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Outstanding Staff Award.

1. The nominee must currently be employed by Averett. Sorry, no Aramark/Bon Appétit employees.
2. The nominee must correctly be reported as faculty or staff.  Some AU employees look like faculty but are actually staff (i.e., Theatre), and some look like staff but are actually faculty (i.e., Elaine Day at the library).
3. The prior three years’ winners are not eligible to be nominated: Staff – Kevin Lipscomb, Carly Pearce and Sandy Bash. Faculty – Richard Breen, Peggy Wright and Barb Kushubar.

Please fill out this form, and email your nomination(s) to [email protected]. Nominations are due this Friday, Apr. 14, by 4:30 p.m.

Community Meeting: Mt. Cross Road Corridor Study

There will be a community meeting regarding Mt. Cross Road and a new corridor study to compliment ongoing planning efforts and identify improvements for better access to sporting events, as well as balance transportation needs of local residents, businesses and regional traffic throughout the city. Please join and share your thoughts with us on Wednesday, Apr. 19, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grant Center on North Campus. To see the full flyer, click here.

Want to Relieve Stress Right at Your Desk?

In this 30-minute webinar, you’ll gain tips and tools to relax and de-stress right from your work desk. You will get a chance to practice various proven relaxation exercises that will prepare you to take on the challenges of this hectic time of year and beyond. Join us at your desk on Thursday, Apr. 20, at 2 p.m. Email Shawna Manning, wellness advocate/health coach, at [email protected] to register and click here for the online meeting link that day.

Save the Date

The Administrative Professionals & Support Staff Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, Apr. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, 150 Slayton Avenue. We have a wonderful program planned with Petrina Carter speaking on the topic “Knowing Your Why: Aligning Purpose and Passion. Please fill out the registration form and email Christine Thompson at [email protected], by Thursday, Apr. 19, to RSVP.

Donation Drive

If you weren’t able to volunteer for Day to Engage, we can still use your help! Danville-Pittsylvania County Community Services is in need of the following items: diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion, baby shampoo and baby body wash. All donations can be dropped off at the CCECC until the end of April. Thank you in advance for your help!

2017 Cougar Golf Classic

Come join in on the fun and get a four-person team together for this year’s Cougar Golf Classic on Friday, June 9. There is a minimum handicap of 30 required for each team. Prizes are given for 1st and 2nd place and then a random draw for 3rd place so everyone has a chance to win. Every participant receives a gift and has a chance to bid at the silent auction. (Rumor is there are items autographed by Steph Curry along with other valuable choices.) Please contact Barb Kushubar for more information at [email protected] or at (434) 791-5687. To register click here.