Hello and welcome, Online Business Student, to the University of Florida and Heavener School of Business! It is my honor to be your academic advisor in order to help you succeed. I help students in our program whose last name begins with A – G (click here to find your advisor).
There are many identifiers that ring true for me: first a proud immigrant born in Colombia and then US naturalized citizen, state college AA graduate and transfer undergraduate, first generation – first in my family to earn a degree, graduate student, Double Gator (I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Education in Higher Education from UF), and mental health survivor and advocate.
However, the most important role I have is to serve you as your advisor! I have had the privilege of working as an advisor for several colleges and universities throughout my career, working with students from all walks of life. The feedback and advice we give is always with the main goal in mind of getting you to the finish line of completing your degree. Academic advisors have years of accumulated experience working with many students. Through this experience, along with the knowledge and skillset we have acquired, we are on your side in helping you make wise decisions and navigate your pathway – we advise and you decide. Make smart choices.
You belong here. Advocate for yourself. It’s not about avoiding challenges – challenges will come. It’s about developing the skills and tools, as well as getting help, to persevere through challenges. Do you know one reason many employers look for a degree? It is because a degree signifies to the world that you were able to overcome obstacles – you persisted and you achieved a difficult goal that took years to complete. You likely did so while juggling work and family commitments.
In higher education (and in life in general), there is a concept I call ‘competing priorities’. You likely have many goals. One goal might be to get your degree as quickly as possible. While that is valid, please prioritize setting yourself up for success (with our help) so that you can earn the high grades you need to get the degree.
Having said that, your first semester is often one of transition and hard-learned lessons. We also want you to give yourself grace, learn from your mistakes, and believe in yourself. You have what it takes – you are a Gator, after all!
You can not only survive, but you can thrive. There are so many career and leadership development opportunities for you within the School of Heavener.
I am here for you. Please feel free to e-mail, call (352.846.4998) or schedule an appointment.