Averett CoffeeBreak 8-1-18

Posted on August 1st, 2018 by Danielle Staub

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. Please submit by Friday, Aug. 3, for a Wednesday, Aug. 8, publication.

Saying Goodbye

Aries Wilson, assistant director of student success, will be leaving Averett University on August 3, to accept a position as assistant director of undergraduate advising at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Although we are sad to see her go, we are grateful for her hard work with our at-risk students and dedication to the advancement of our Growth Mindset QEP. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

Goodbye, Dr. Odongo

To our regret, Dr. George Odongo, associate professor of education, recently announced that he is leaving Averett to take a faculty position at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where his wife will work as a nurse at the University Hospital and pursue further studies, and their son will be a student. He conveyed that this was a difficult decision for him but a wonderful opportunity for his family. Odongo has been a valuable member of the Averett faculty and has made many contributions to both the undergraduate and graduate education programs. We wish him very well!

Prince Joins Department of Athletics as Administrative Assistant

Please give a warm welcome to Karen Prince, administrative assistant for the Department of Athletics. Prince also serves as the administrative assistant for Averett’s Physical Education Department.

A native of Hilton, N.Y., Prince previously worked as a scheduler for the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., before relocating to Virginia. She also worked for the Baycare Medical Group in Clearwater, Fla., and served as an office manager for Vascular Surgery at the University of Rochester in New York. Prior to that, she spent time as an administrative assistant and office coordinator with the OBGYN and Nephrology departments at Rochester.

Prince earned her nursing degree in sociology and psychology from Monroe Community College. Prince lives in the Danville area with her husband, Dale, who works for facilities on Averett’s Main Campus.

Coordinator of Enrollment Services

The position of Averett Central’s student concierge coordinator has been revamped to encompass a vision for the future! Over the years this position has grown and evolved while continuously supporting the enrollment needs of our students. The new position of coordinator of enrollment services has supervisory responsibility for Averett Central as well as other enrollment supporting functions.

The search provided numerous outstanding candidates. Katie Johnston accepted this position that reflects her past talents from Averett Central, combined with her new talents from the Registrar’s Office, to help enhance the Averett Central experience! Her exemplary customer service, knowledge of the Averett Central areas, focus on enrollment, as well as her experience serving students while balancing the needs of our various departments, provide for a perfect fit for the coordinator of enrollment services. She began on July 31.

With this wonderful news, comes more wonderful news. We are now seeking a dynamic individual to serve the Registrar’s Office. Please stay tuned to the website for the Registrar’s Office job posting to be considered for this important position that serves students, faculty and staff.

Congratulations, Katie!

Sociology/Criminal Justice Faculty Wins Award

Michelle Newton-Francis, professor of sociology, won the American University Provost’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Mentorship in Undergraduate Research of Creative Work. This recognition is awarded to faculty who have shown an outstanding commitment to advising and mentoring students in undergraduate research or creative work that has resulted in publication or presentation at an academic conference.

Newton-Francis is currently mentoring several research projects for current and former students presenting at regional sociology conferences or progressing in their graduate studies. She is an adjunct instructor for Averett and teaches Sociology/Criminal Justice courses for GPS and IDEAL.

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GPS Student Spotlight

Meet Scott Sparks, a student pursuing his Master of Business Administration degree who is expected to graduate in 2019. To learn more about Scott on the GPS blog, click here.

QUESTION: What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at Averett University?

ANSWER: “I have always had a desire to obtain a graduate degree and after 18 years, decided to do just that. My motivation for obtaining an MBA at Averett University is to not only further my current career, but to also to potentially start a second career later down the line.”

 

 

Have You RSVP’d for the August Opening Family Picnic?

Tuesday, August 14
2 – 4:15 p.m. Opening of the Year Kick-Off (Informal fellowship time beginning at 1:15 p.m.)
4:15 – 6:30 p.m. Family Picnic and Tours of Newly Renovated Main Hall

Mark your calendars for the 2018 August Opening! Join your fellow faculty and staff as we celebrate the new school year on Tuesday, Aug. 14, starting at 1:15 p.m. in the Frith Fine Arts Center Lobby.

The afternoon begins with refreshments and fellowship in the lobby until 2 p.m., followed by our program in Pritchett Auditorium featuring new faculty and staff pinning, “A Student’s Journey through the themes of Averett 2020,” and our honored guest, Dr. Eileen Hulme, a nationally respected educator who will lead an engaging presentation on the cultural, technological, socioeconomic and demographic shifts that are creating unique forces on colleges and universities. Hulme, who brings a wealth of experience as a faculty member, administrator and researcher, frames the “issues and challenges of the day” profoundly well, with the needs of the student always at the center.

Following our Opening of the Year Session, President Franks and Joe will host you and your loved ones for a family picnic in the Carrington Gym (including a “Kids Corner” with bubbles, chalk and more) and everyone will have the opportunity to tour the newly renovated Main Hall. Please RSVP for yourself and the number of family guests you will be bringing (significant others, children) to the Family Picnic by Monday, Aug. 6, via the PunchBowl invitation you received by email Friday.

CAMPUSengage Training: Need Help? No Problem!

The CCECC is hosting CAMPUSengage Trainings at the Goodwill Industries Career Center Computer Lab located at 512 Westover Dr. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. until noon, on Thursday, Aug. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. until noon.

In this session you will:
1. Update your agency profile (contacts, agency descriptions, photos etc..).
2. Learn how to sign up for needs.
3. Post needs to your profile page (list the organizations needs for volunteers).

In order to use this time effectively, we ask that you come prepared with volunteer times, projects and opportunities beginning Sept. 1, 2018. Space is limited to 15 seats. RSVP to Tia Yancey at [email protected] for training assistance.

Sign up now for Danville’s Adult Ultimate Frisbee League!

Hosted by Danville Parks and Rec, the adult co-ed Frisbee league combines good old-fashioned playground competition with a friendly and social atmosphere. Athletic ability is not required, just a willingness to give it your all and have fun! Teams will be formed through a league draft. For more information about the league and minimum requirements, please call (434) 799-5214.

Registration ends Aug. 10, 2018. League games will be played Sept – Nov on Thursday evenings. Sign up online at playdanvilleva.com. Click sign up online, Sports and Athletics, and then Ultimate Frisbee. Any other questions can be directed to Liz Cervantes at [email protected].

River District Festival Fish Fry

Dine on a delicious dinner of fish and fixin’s to support the River District Festival at the River District Festival Fish Fry on Friday, Aug. 24. Ticket includes a hearty meal of fish, beans, slaw, hushpuppies and tea, along with two drink tickets for beer or wine. A cash bar will also be available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., food begins at 6 p.m., and live music will play until 9 p.m.

Must be 21 to attend. Advance sale tickets are $30 per person. Corporate tables available until Friday, Aug. 17. Contact alumnus Phillip Hayes at [email protected] or RSVP and buy your ticket by clicking here.

Save the Date: Sam’s Club

The Sam’s Club representative, Karen Shields, will be on campus Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Averett Dining Hall. She will assist with new accounts and returning accounts which can be renewed several months in advance.

Walk for What?

To fight against heart disease! Join the American Heart Association and Walk.

1. Create a team (office, family, friend, church, teammates)
2. Meet at North Campus September 8 at 9:30 a.m.
3. WALK!

Contact Tia Yancey at [email protected] for more information.

Major Gifts Officer

Institutional Advancement has posted a position to hire a major gifts officer. For the position description, click here.

 

Benefit Leave Reports

Managers,

The benefit leave reports will continue to be sent to you via email as a reminder to make sure to check the available balances of your employees before approving any requests for vacation, sick and personal time off. Employees are NOT allowed to go into a negative balance per University policy.

For questions about the accrual balance of your staff members, or if you have any employees who are not listed on this report, please contact Pam Paynter at [email protected] to ensure they are included going forward. Thank you for your efforts.