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, June 9, for a Wednesday, June 14, publication.
Averett at the Virginia Network
Averett President Dr. Tiffany M. Franks participated in the President’s Panel at the 2017 Virginia Network Annual State Conference, themed “Frontline to Boardroom: Leading Change in Higher Education,” on Friday, June 2. Under the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network, the Virginia Network’s goal is to promote women’s leadership in higher education and throughout society as a whole. The Averett Women’s Network is the institutional-level body under the national ACE Women’s Network.
Nine additional Averett women attended the conference, including Brigid Belko, Rachel Covington, Debbie Flinn, Alexis Ehrhardt, Cassie Williams Jones, Carly Pearce, Meg Stevens, Aries Wilson and Tia Yancey.
On the evening before the conference, Covington, Flinn and Wilson also graduated from the Network’s Senior Leadership Seminar on Thursday, a forum to bring together emerging women leaders with established leaders in higher education in the Commonwealth.
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 Alison Cook, who is pursuing her bachelor of business administration. She is expected to graduate in 2020.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree? “I joined the Marine Corps directly out of high school, and although I feel accomplished, I was a bit jealous of all of my high school peers who have completed or are close to completing their degrees. I was a top 10 percent student in high school, so I always knew I would continue my education at some point and I am very excited to finally be taking that step in my life.”
Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? “I chose Averett because I have always heard great things about this program from fellow Marines. A previous leader of mine told me about the program he had graduated from and I knew it was for me. Averett is very flexible in working with my schedule as there are times when I have to take time off to focus on serving my country and they never penalize me for that.”
Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students. “Always do your best to remain focused and keeping your eyes on the goal. Although some peers I had have already graduated from college, some haven’t even made it through the doors. So continuously be proud of yourself for even taking this step to continue your education.”
What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program? “My motivation comes from my love of learning. The two years I took off of school, it seemed like I would never be able to go back again. But when I finally took that step, I can’t explain the excitement I felt for myself and I think always remembering that excitement I felt from the beginning is what keeps me going.”
Head Baseball Coach Candidates
We are happy to announce candidates for our Head Baseball Coach will be on campus soon. Please join the selection committee at the following 60-minute sessions. After brief introductions, there will be plenty of time for Q&A. All sessions will be at North Campus in the Grant Center, Classroom 116. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Monday, June 12th
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Kenny Fleming
Tuesday, June 13th
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Daniel Wood
Thursday, June 15th
1:50-2:50 p.m.
Geoff Fox
Monday, June19th
10:15-11:15 a.m.
Drew Bailey
Tuesday, June 20th
1:50-2:50 p.m.
CJ Rhodes
Greet Junior Leadership Southside Participants at Averett!
Averett University’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) is partnering with Middle Border Forward (MBF) to coordinate this year’s Junior Leadership Southside. Nineteen local high school juniors and seniors will be joining us at Averett on June 12-16 for Junior Leadership Southside. Please warmly greet our guests and direct them to the multipurpose room if they get lost.
Junior Leadership Southside is a one-week, immersive program that provides leadership orientation and development to local high school juniors and seniors. Sessions include speakers and activities that provide a holistic approach to leadership orientation and development. The program was originally brought to fruition as a project for the 2007-2008 class of Leadership Southside. The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors agreed to house and coordinate the program during its initial phases of growth. The CCECC took it on last year, and MBF will join them this year.
End of Fiscal Year Spending
Just a reminder that our year end of June 30 is rapidly approaching. This means that we have to close our books for our annual financial audit, which begins the third week of July. We need as few invoices outstanding at the end of June as possible. If you must make a June purchase, press the vendor for an invoice right away. We must have all invoices in the system no later than July 15. If the vendor can’t get you an invoice by July 10, wait until July 1 to make the purchase so it will go into the next fiscal year.
2017 Cougar Golf Classic
The Cougar Golf Classic is this Friday, June 9. Do you have a team yet? You still have time! 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.
