Committees
To accomplish the many goals and initiatives of the Professional Advisers Council, there are several committees that gather outside of regular meeting times to address some of our most salient values. These committees include:
Adviser Welcome & Awards
2024-2025 Co-Chairs: Jade Dang and Kaitlyn Carollo
- Welcomes new advisers to the Professional Advisers Council community, and recognizes existing members for exceptional work through the Adviser of the Month initiative.
- Plans events including the Outstanding Adviser of the Year banquet, PACk Your $5 lunches, and Welcome New Adviser coffee meet ups.
- Promotes awards given by larger advising organizations, like the Michigan Academic Advising Association (MIACADA), to increase the opportunity for OU advisers to be recognized for their work on a larger stage
Forms & Technology
2024-2025 Co-Chairs: Debbie Lengyel and Kurt Kirkpatrick
- A collaborative group that brings together Professional Advisers Council members with professionals from University Technology Services, Office of the Registrar, and other technology-focused leaders to trouble-shoot issues and brainstorm initiatives to improve adviser and student experiences with technology
- Coordinates training for Professional Advisers Council advisers on new technology initiatives and solutions
- Works continuously to improve existing technologies to increase adviser effectiveness
Training Committee
2024-2025 Co-Chairs: TBD
- Designed and continually facilitate the Oakland Adviser Training Academy (OATA), which is a comprehensive, Oakland-specific, training program for professional advisers
- Work to motivate all Professional Advisers Council advisers to complete the 6 modules of the training academy, which includes regularly scheduling sessions and maintaining the OATA eSpace.
- Host National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) webinars for Professional Advisers Council advisers each fall and winter semester
Retreat
2024-2025 Chair: Zuhair Issa
- Plans the annual end-of-year Professional Advisers Council Retreat which provides an opportunity for the Professional Advisers Council community to reflect on the past year, set goals for the year ahead, and build community
Symposium
2024-2025 Chair: TBD
- Organizes a bi-annual advising conference that invites advisers from metro-Detroit to come to OU and join Professional Advisers Council and campus partners in sessions on the best practices and theory of academic advising, and the promotion of scholarly work, research, and professional development.
- Coordinates a Professional Advisers Council “Share-Out” in non-symposium years that allows advisers to share best practices they’ve learned from attending conferences and other professional development opportunities
Wellness
2024-2025 Chair: Destin Eddington
- Promotes wellness within the Professional Advisers Council community by organizing fun, engaging, and often relaxing events to encourage practices of self-care and work life balance
NACADA Liaison
2024-2025 Liaison: Andreea Bordeianu
- Ensures that Professional Advisers Council remains and allied member organization of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) by completing and annual application
- Promotes professional development, grant, and award opportunities from NACADA to Professional Advisers Council members