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. For the next CoffeeBreak, please submit by Friday, April 19, for a Wednesday, April 24, publication.
Faculty and Staff of the Year Nominations
Today, April 17, is the last day to nominate your fellow faculty/staff members for Faculty or Staff Member of the Year! Please email your completed form to [email protected] by 4:30 p.m.
The criteria for the award and nomination process can be found by clicking here. The nomination form can be found by clicking here. These forms can also be found on the intranet.
April Staff Meeting and Sun Porch 3.0 Update
The April staff meeting will take place tomorrow, April 18, at 11:15 a.m. Staff Council will be announcing the new Staff Council members for 2019-2020.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Franks will joins us for a Sun Porch 3.0 update. She will share some of the big takeaways from the sessions as we plan for Averett 2025.
University is Closed this Friday
Just a reminder Good Friday, April 19, is a University holiday. Offices are closed and classes are not scheduled.
Happy April Birthday!
Wishing you the nicest things that life can bring your way, And this is not just a Birthday wish…it’s meant for every day!
Host: President Franks and Joe Franks
For: Celebration for Faculty & Staff with April Birthdays
When: Thursday, April 18
Where: Main Hall Penthouse
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
RSVP to [email protected]
PAWS for a Study Break
Put down the book, close the laptop and come hang out with some therapy dogs! On Monday, April 22, therapy dogs and their owners from Hearts of Gold Therapy Dogs of Virginia will be on campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the area next to Jut’s Café. Food and drinks will be provided, but they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event is sponsored by Personal Counseling Services and Housing and Residence Life. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Cecilia Yeager at [email protected].
TRUTH Talks – Coming Out: Yearning for Acceptance
On Tuesday, April 23, from 6-8 p.m. in Blount Chapel, Averett’s Rainbow Club and the CCECC are co-sponsoring an open forum on LGBTQIA culture. The theme is “Coming Out: Yearning for Acceptance,” and a full panel of staff, faculty and students will discuss their own coming out stories and the reactions of their families and friends. The panel will also feature allies and their perspectives. Refreshments will be served starting at 5:30 p.m.
T.R.U.T.H. Talks are designed after a national program to engage college campuses and local communities on issues of diversity and inclusion of all types. These forums provide a structured environment for all involved to voice their questions, concerns and praises.
Week 5 of the Stress Management Series
The last event of the “Stop Stress Now!” series will be held live on Wednesday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the MPR. Dr. Lynise Anderson will be speaking about tools for managing stress and building resilience. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend.
Academic Support Updates
The last day for drop-in consultations in the Writing Center is Wednesday, April 24. The last day for regularly scheduled tutoring sessions and open group tutoring opportunities is also Wednesday, April 24. Should a student find need assistance after Wednesday, April 24, please email [email protected] with your request, and the student will most likely be scheduled with a professional tutor/consultant for assistance.
Late Night Breakfast
As the semester is nearing an end, the Office of Student Engagement is working to organize the annual late night breakfast. Late night breakfast occurs on Reading Day, Thursday, April 25, and will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the Student Center Café.
We are searching for staff and faculty willing to participate and help serve breakfast for the students as they prepare for exams. Please email [email protected] if you are available and willing to help. The theme this semester will be Beach Time!
Growth Mindset
We want to hear about what awesome things your department is doing to promote growth mindset, our school’s designated QEP. Please take an opportunity to fill out this Growth Mindset Best Practice/Event Form and send it back to [email protected] by Friday, April 26, so we can know about all the great things you are doing. Thank you!
Day to Engage Around the World: Autism 5K
The CCECC and Turning Points Autism Center are sponsoring Averett’s “Day to Engage Around the World” Light the Path for Autism 5K Walk on Saturday, April 27, at North Campus. We are looking for volunteers to help make the walk a success; please register to volunteer through campusengage.org. For those who want to walk/run, registration is $25 (includes 5K T-shirt); under 16 is free. If you have questions, please contact April Love at [email protected].
Faculty/Staff/Retiree Appreciation Luncheon
The luncheon will take place on Thursday, May 2, from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Dining Hall. Please RSVP to your Punchbowl invite!
We will be recognizing our milestone employees and retirees and appreciating all of you for your commitment to Averett and higher education. See you at the event! Email Kathie Tune with any questions or for more information at [email protected].
GPS Graduate Programs
Attention all seniors or anyone looking to earn their next degree! Did you know you could qualify for a $1,000 alumni scholarship when you enroll in one of our Master’s degrees? Classes start Monday, Aug. 12. Click here to apply today and your personal admissions counselor, Jonathan Nichels, will reach out to assist you!
• Master of Accountancy
• Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration: Human Resource Management Concentration
• Master of Business Administration: Leadership Concentration
• Master of Business Administration: Marketing Concentration
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration & Leadership
• Master of Education in Administration & Supervision
• Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
• Master of Education in Special Education (Endorsement Track)
• Master of Education in Special Education (Licensure Track)
Email Protection Refresher
Just a refresher course in spam/phishing awareness. As you all know, fake emails constantly bombard Averett that say they are from a certain individual, but in all reality, they are not. Emails “from” Dr. Franks seem to be the rage right now. The recent messages have been of the variety of separating you and your money by convincing you to buy items and giving them codes to authorize use of these items.
One way to determine if the message is a fraud is to look at the “from:” line. Official Averett emails will not be coming from Gmail, AOL or any of the other outside domain names. Another is to look at the verbiage of the email; if grammar is poor or there are blatant misspellings, or the “flow” is wrong, chances are it is not an official Averett email. However, the best way to know if it is fake: Dr. Franks, or whomever, will never ask you to do something that requires you to spend your own money for anything.
We all are taken, or almost taken, by these frauds. It is just statistically impossible for every single one of us not to have fallen prey at least once, so there is no need for shame. Just take that extra 30 seconds or so to read over these emails and if it has the whiff of malice, delete it, and if you begin to get a large volume of these things, put in a ticket with the email as an attachment. That is the quickest way for us to block these attempts.
We have come a long way with defending ourselves against these tricks; let us keep up the good work.
AES Public Service Forgiveness
Looking to reduce your student loans? What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)? We assist college and university employees with their federal student loans on a daily basis. The program is designed to help eligible personnel eliminate their student debt, while remaining in their current career. It’s all done with just a phone call: (866) 721-2055.
Let’s find out if you qualify for a forgiveness program and we can prepare all the necessary documents to make sure you are eligible, it’s all done with just a phone call. Please note this is only available to college and university staff. Click here to learn more, or contact Stephanie Walker at [email protected].
Faculty Fellows in Service-Learning – Inaugural Cohort
Dr. Billy Wooten and the CCECC are pleased to announce that professors Laura Hartman, Stephanie Smith and Melanie Lewis will join two faculty from Piedmont Community College to become our inaugural cohort of Service-Learning Faculty Fellows for the 2019-2020 academic year.
They will participate in a week-long intensive summer workshop this June during which they will develop the syllabus and project for a future service-learning course. We are excited to offer Averett faculty this professional development opportunity and look forward to providing even more opportunities to work with faculty in the upcoming year. If you have questions about how to become a service-learning faculty fellow, please email Dr. Billy Wooten at [email protected]
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Ashley Reynolds, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, expected to graduate in 2021. To read more about Ashley on the GPS blog, click here.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at Averett?
“My motivation is my three daughters. I want to show them that anything is possible is you apply yourself.”
Averett 101: From the Eyes of Freshmen
During every Averett 101 class each fall semester, the students go to the president’s house and enjoy a dinner with Dr. Franks and her husband, Joe. During that time, Dr. Franks asks the students what they love about Averett and if they have any concerns. During the spring, we will be sharing some of the comments students shared with Dr. Franks and Joe about Averett!
“The people were welcoming from the day I arrived.”
“The people are friendly and helpful around campus.”
“Being here taught me how to be responsible on my own.”
“Professors are quick to respond to questions.”
“The professors are nice.”
“The professors and advisors are helpful.”
“The teachers and chaplain are understanding.”
“The professors create a home-like atmosphere.”
“I love flying! The aviation program is great.”
