UKnighted Newsletter
May 2007

SDES Division Celebrates Nine Years of Excellence

Building collaborative partnerships that empower students to succeed! ~SDES Vision

On April 16, over 350 Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES) faculty and staff came together to celebrate and acknowledge colleagues for their many years of service and enjoy a traditional breakfast buffet. The Ninth Annual Celebration Breakfast, held since SDES was formed in 1998, is an appreciation to the division’s employees and an opportune time to present special recognition awards, which are nominated by fellow SDES employees.

Mark White, Student Government Association (SGA) president; Jared Stout, SGA vice president; Office of Operational Excellence and Assessment Support staff members; and Shawn Maguire, Bonneville Elementary School, were among the guests.

Maribeth Ehasz, vice president for SDES, welcomed everyone. “Your commitment, care and expertise truly make a difference,” said Ehasz. “Together we empower students to succeed through our services, programs, events, operations, involvement and care.” Ehasz highlighted some of SDES accomplishments for the year.

She acknowledged and thanked her leadership team: Mark Allen Poisel, Academic Development and Retention; Craig Ullom, Campus Life; Sharon Ekern, Administrative Services; A. J. Range, Regional Campus Student Services; and Ron Atwell, Assessment and Planning.

In closing, Ehasz thanked the SDES Council for coordinating the breakfast. In addition, she thanked everyone in the division, noting that SDES is “One team of talented people.”

Over $4,000 worth of prizes were given away including: Jet Blue plane tickets, UCF parking decal, Dell Laser Printer, haircut and mani/pedicure certificate, and coupons for pizza, coffee, smoothies, and more. No one left empty-handed; staff who didn’t have a number drawn, received a tote bag.

• David Crafts, LEAD Scholars Program
• Jessica Falco, Student Union
• Lauren Heunis, Registrar’s Office
• Carol Kraus, Activity & Service Fee Business Office
• Vik Nallamshetty, Student Disability Services
• Pamela Rea, Student Disability Services
• Tyler Sims, Student Union
• Tricia Tomeu, Career Services & Experiential Learning


2006 Recognition Awards

• Commitment to Diversity: Patricia Pates, Assessment and Planning

• Community Connection: LEAD Scholars Program

• Continuous Learner/Stands for Opportunity: Amy Buford, First Year Advising and Exploration

• Outstanding Collaborative Effort: Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Leadership Programs

• Overall Operational Excellence: A&P–Stephen O’Connell, First Year Advising and Exploration; USPS–Adrianne (Dee Dee) Demetry, LEAD Scholars Program

• Pride in Customer Service: Fred Okumu, Administrative Services

• The Experienced Professional: Beverly Derr, Health Services

• The New Professional: Brian Boyd, Registrar’s Office

• Way To Go: Jeff Novak, Housing and Residence Life

• SDES Team of the Year: The Area Coordinator Staff of Housing and Residence Life

• Exceptional Partnership: Office of Operational Excellence and Assessment Support

The following award recipients were selected as Advocates for First-Year Students, nominated by a first-year student committee:

Students were recognized for their academic achievements at the Student-Athlete Scholar and Service Reception. Recipients of the UCF Scholar-Athletes of the Year award were: Sha’reff Rashad (football) received the men’s honor, and Elizabeth Fieser (basketball) and Krystina Sarff (rowing) shared the women’s honor. Jaager Good (baseball), Amber Long (basketball) and Lauren Motyl (golf) received the Dr. Bill Callarman Award. This honor, which is named after UCF’s former long-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) faculty representative, is given for outstanding effort in the classroom.

The newly created Dr. Richard Lapchick Award, which measures both athletic and academic achievement in addition to the positive impact an athlete has on the community, was presented to Kyle Israel (football) and Shelly Frick (softball). Both were active members of the Student-Athlete Advisory board and assisted in organizing the fund-raising effort to help rebuild the boathouse for the Stetson University rowing team.

Overall, a school record of 378 student-athletes earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll with a 3.0 or better GPA during either semester of the 2006 calendar year. Of that number, 250 posted a 3.5 or better and 52 achieved a 4.0. UCF also had 190 student-athletes named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative 3.0 or better GPA at the end of the fall 2006 semester, which ranked the Knights first in Conference USA.


Students Take a Break from Their Studies

Recreation and Wellness students and full-time employees were recognized at the 2nd Annual RWC Awards Banquet. Award recipients are as follows:

• Facilities Employee of the Year: Adrianne Smith

• Programs Employee of the Year: Olivia Dukes

• RWC Employee of the Year: Nathan Renstrom

• Unit Team Employee of the Year: Marlaine Hagopian

• Professional Staff Employee of the Year: India Asunto

• Sport Club of the Year: Wrestling


Students Receive Highest University Honor

The Order of Pegasus is the highest university honor that recognizes exemplary graduating seniors and graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding involvement, leadership, academic achievement and community service. Vice President Maribeth Ehasz presided over the recent Order of Pegasus induction ceremony that honored 14 students.

President John C. Hitt and Provost and Executive Vice President Terry Hickey were in attendance to congratulate the students and assist with the presentation of their award medals. Out of 68 nominations this year, only two graduate and 12 undergraduate students were selected for this prestigious award from among a student body population of over 46,000 students. Students are nominated annually by high-ranking university officials. A separate selection committee reviews their credentials and interviews them.

Recently, Multicultural Academic Support Services (MASS) Peer Mentors and students have had special recognition of excellence.

Kudos to Peer Mentor Stephanie Morales who was selected as a member of the President’s Leadership Council. Congratulations to Peer Mentor Renea Forde who has been accepted to the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Forde was selected for this year’s Who’s Who Among Students. “Our MASS Peer Mentors have made us proud,” says Celeste Ferguson, assistant director.

The MASS office held its Excellence in Action Awards program honoring their students who have earned a 3.0 or above during the fall 2006 semester. DeLaine Priest, assistant vice president for the Student Success Center, delivered the welcome address and Wayne Jackson, director for MASS, addressed the students.

Students Honored at Memorial

On April 5, approximately 100 family members and friends attended the Eternal Knights Memorial Service that honored the memory of UCF students who passed away during the 2006-07 academic year. The solemn service commenced by bagpiper, Stewart Meredith, leading the processional in a welcoming remembrance of the students.

Carolyn Walker-Hopp, College of Education, briefly eulogized 21 students during the service. Members from the President’s Leadership Council placed a statue on a table in representation of each eternal knight during each eulogy.

A total of 71 students attended four “Tune into a Major” outreach sessions which were based upon TV show themes that included: Project Major, LOST?, Stranded without a Major, and the Real World, UCF. The sessions, held during Undeclared/Major Exploration Week in March, represented a 34 percent increase in student attendance compared to spring 2006.

The Student Success Center (SSC) Undeclared Team provided interactive workshops and events for undeclared and undecided students. These sessions focused on the exploration and strategies of selecting a major and minor, career planning information, and preparation for upcoming multi-term registration.

The sessions were a collaboration of the SSC;Career Services & Experiential Learning; Transfer and Transition Services; and Housing and Residence Life. They were held at various campus locations including the Student Union, Academic Village and the Towers Residence Hall. Freshmen attendees received LINK Loot points, which can be used at the end-of-semester auction.


Student Disability Services Trains at Southern Region

On April 2, the Student Success Center (SSC) and the Student Academic Resource Center (SARC) welcomed 25 learning-assistance professionals and peers from various colleges and universities around the country to UCF.

This visit was part of the 3rd Annual Conference of the Association for the Tutoring Profession (ATP), a national conference with a focus on learning centers, tutoring and peer-assisted learning programs.

The UCF Career Services & Experiential Learning Center (CSEL) 2007 Spring Break Externship Program placed 30 students with 19 different employers, who shared their professional experiences with the students. Students had the opportunity to get a glimpse of the real world of work within their career interests. For the employers, this program presented a chance to meet promising students who could be potential future employees. During this year’s program, at least three students received possible offers for a part-time/full-time employment and internship opportunities.

One extern student said, “The people I shadowed, through their daily routine, explained each and every detail of their work. I felt so comfortable asking just about any question, and they always had an answer for me. They took an interest in my career choices and future plans after which they gave me suggestions and tips on how to make myself a better candidate.”

After Spring Break, the externs attended a “Reflection Session” where they had the opportunity to discuss and share their externship experience and the connections they have made with other students.

SDES Awards and Recognition

• Vanessa Butts, Registrar’s Office, has been selected to receive a Blaine and Rebecca Sweatt Degree Completion Grant. Awarded through the College of Business Administration, the grant will enable Butts to return to school full-time this summer to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

• Fritzlaine “Laine” Powell, Campus Life, received the Dr. John T. Washington Community Service Award at the UCF Dr. John T. Washington Community Service Awards and Scholarship Luncheon, hosted by the African Studies Program on April 11.

• LEAD Scholars’ new marketing materials placed fourth in the “22nd Annual Admissions Advertising Awards,” sponsored by the Admissions Marketing Report. They received a Merit Award for the Internet/Web site category and in the Logo/Letterhead category. There were a total of 2,100 entries in all of the categories of the competition from over 1,200 institutions.

• William Ehling, Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC), will serve a three-year term on the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)–School For Sports Management Faculty. For NIRSA 2007-08, India Asunto, RWC, will serve on the Creative Excellence Awards Committee, and Gary Cahen (chair) and Nicholas Brigati, both from Intramural Sports, will serve on the Sports Officials Development Program Committee.

• Danny Meuninck, Orientation Services, was selected to serve as the chair for the National Orientation Directors Association’s (NODA) undergraduate student network.

• Dennis Dulniak, Registrar’s Office, served as co-chair of Volunteers for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) ‘08 conference at Orlando World Center Marriott, organizing the “Welcome to Orlando” booth and presenting the invitation at the business meeting on March 24-27.

• Joe Ritchie, Orientation Services, was selected to serve as a faculty member of the Orientation Professionals Institute (OPI) for NODA. As a faculty member, Ritchie will mentor new Orientation professionals at a three-day workshop that will occur prior to each NODA annual conference.


SDES Presentations

• Ron Atwell, Assessment and Planning (AP) and Steve Johnson, Registrar’s Office, presented “Data Mining in Academia: New Efforts at Retention” at the Data Mining Symposium, hosted by Morgan Wang and held at Disney World on April 13.

• Suzi Halpin, Jessica Falco and Tyler Sims, Student Union, presented, “Organizing Your Event Planning Staff to Better Serve Clients,” at the Association of College Unions International annual conference, held in Atlanta on March 25-28. In addition, Suzi Halpin and Tyler Sims presented, “Maximizing Resources: A Building Manager Training Program.”

• Staff members of the Registrar’s Office recently presented at the Alliance 2007 Conference held at Lake Buena Vista on March 11-14. Brian Boyd, Tina Sutherland, Nancy Soletti, Jatin Shah and Ron Mathews presented, “UCF End-Of-Term Prerequisite Checking Using the Student Records Validation Process.” In addition, Joy Blair presented, “Tracking UCF Outgoing Transfer Students Using Customized Version of Student Agreements,” and Joshua Striker presented, “UPK (User Productivity Kit) from Multiple Perspectives.” The conference was organized and managed by the Higher Education User Group (HEUG).

The following Student Academic Resource Center (SARC) members presented at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Association for the Tutoring Profession, held in Orlando on April 2:

• Brittany Harrington and Fatima Arshad, Supplemental Instruction (SI) leaders –“Learning Strategies and Activities that Create Magic in SI Sessions.”

• Heidi White and Sobi Imam, peer tutors –“Tutors Advancing Student knowledge (T.A.S.K.) Club” poster session

• Jennifer Wright and Ana Mack – “Mastering College-Level Coursework – Creating Magic for Student Success”

• Ana Mack – “Differences in Academic Performance and Self-Regulated Learning based on Levels of Student Participation in Supplemental Instruction.”

The following SDES faculty and staff presented at the 2007 American College Personnel Association/National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (ACPA/NASPA) Joint Meeting, held in Orlando on March 31-April 4:

Pre-Meeting Workshops:

• Ron Atwell, AP, Paula Krist, Operational Excellence and Assessment Support (OEAS), Mark Allen Poisel, Academic Development and Retention (ADR), – “Assessment Toolkit: Measuring What Matters in Student Development and Enrollment Services.”

• Larry Marks and Shari-ann James, Counseling Center – “Discovering strengths: Putting Positive Psychology in Practice in Counseling Centers” and “Strengths Screening Day.”

• Pat Pates, AP, and Mia Alexander-Snow, OEAS – “Planning for Learning: Integrating Student Learning Outcomes in Program Strategic Planning.”

• Mark Allen Poisel, ADR, assisted in the presentation, “Using Power to Shape Graduate Education: A Decade of Building and Enhancing Graduate and Professional Student Services.”

• Laine Powell, UCF Campus Life, Rosanna Jacobsen, Florida Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, and Laura Letson, Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling – “Financially Fit in the 21st Century.”

• Joe Ritchie, Orientation Services – “¿Puedo Ayudarte?: Creating Programming for Bilingual Parents at Orientation.”

• Craig Ullom, Campus Life – “The Power of College Parent Partnerships in Shaping Education. He also co-presented, “Practices for Partnering with Parents: Lessons Learned from a National Survey” and “Senior Student Affairs Office Public Policy Briefing: Parent Involvement.”

Roundtables:

• Pat Pates, AP, Laine Powell, Campus Life, DeLaine Priest, Student Success Center, and Charlyn Stanberry, graduate student from Fraternity and Sorority Life, co-presented “Building Synergistic Partnerships to Facilitate Successful Transitions for Underrepresented Students.”

• Laine Powell and Craig Ullom, both from Campus Life, facilitated “Learning: Enhancing Opportunities for Student Success.”

Awards:

• The UCF Counseling Center was awarded the “American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services 2007 Thomas M. Magoon Innovation Award” for the Strengths Screening Day program, developed by Larry Marks and Shari-ann James.


Publications

• Dennis Dulniak was interviewed by LRP Publications and had a full page written in the March edition of a national newsletter, The Successful Registrar, on his leadership and the UCF Registrar’s Office.

Correction to April issue: Pamela Brady, director for Student Services at Western Region, oversees South Lake, Ocala, Osceola, Metro-West, South Orlando and Leesburg campuses.

Welcome to SDES

• Katherine Compton, program assistant, Readmissions, Registrar’s Office

• Federico Gerardino, maintenance specialist, Student Union (SU)

• Jose Irizarry, custodial worker, SU

• Scott McCabe, senior fiscal assistant, Housing and Residence Life

• Kevin Murphy, senior programmer analyst, Health Services

INTEGRITY
I will practice and defend academic and personal honesty.

SCHOLARSHIP
I will cherish and honor learning as a fundamental purpose of my membership in the UCF community.

COMMUNITY
I will promote an open and supportive campus environment by respecting the rights and contributions of every individual.

CREATIVITY
I will use my talents to enrich the human experience.

EXCELLENCE
I will strive toward the highest standards of performance in any endeavor I undertake.

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