The University of Vermont

Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration

Interview Days 2015

Our Common Ground

Education is not preparation for life. Education is life itself"-- John Dewey, educator, philosopher,
UVM Class of 1879
The University of Vermont is an educationally purposeful community seeking to prepare students to
live in a diverse and changing world. We who work, live, study, teach, do research, conduct
business, or participate in the University of Vermont are members of this community. As members,
we believe in the transforming power of education and agree to help create and foster an
environment where we can discover and reach our true potential.
We aspire to be a community that values:
RESPECT. We respect each other. We listen to each other, encourage each other and care about
each other. We are strengthened by our diverse perspectives.
INTEGRITY. We value fairness, straightforward conduct, adherence to the facts, and sincerity. We
acknowledge when things have not turned out the way we had hoped. As stewards of the University
of Vermont, we are honest and ethical in all responsibilities entrusted to us.
INNOVATION. We want to be at the forefront of change and believe that the best way to lead is to
learn from our successes and mistakes and continue to grow. We are forward-looking and break
new ground in addressing important community and societal needs.
OPENNESS. We encourage the open exchange of information and ideas from all quarters of the
community. We believe that through collaboration and participation, each of us has an important role
in determining the direction and well-being of our community.
JUSTICE. As a just community, we unite against all forms of injustice, including, but not limited to,
racism. We reject bigotry, oppression, degradation, and harassment, and we challenge injustice
toward any member of our community.
RESPONSIBILITY. We are personally and collectively responsible for our words and deeds. We
stand together to uphold our common ground.

Table of Contents
Welcome
Our Common Ground ....................................................................................................................... 2
E. Tomas Sullivan, J.D., President, University of Vermont ............................................................... 4
Fayneese Miller, Ph.D., Dean, College of Education and Social Services ....................................... 5
The Vermont Connection Executive Board ...................................................................................... 6

People & Places.......................................................................................................... 7

Faculty Biographies .......................................................................................................................... 8
Class of 2015 .................................................................................................................................. 15
Class of 2016 .................................................................................................................................. 23
HESA Student Affinity List .............................................................................................................. 29
About UVM & Burlington, Vermont ................................................................................................. 32

Program & Curriculum ............................................................................................. 33

HESA Program Overview ............................................................................................................... 34
Curriculum Sequence ..................................................................................................................... 36
Professional Practice ...................................................................................................................... 37
Practica Overview ........................................................................................................................... 38
What Makes the UVM HESA Program Special? ............................................................................ 40

Graduate Assistantships ......................................................................................... 41

Interview Preparation ...................................................................................................................... 42
Assistantship Information ............................................................................................................... 45
Questions to Ask Yourself .............................................................................................................. 47
Position Descriptions ...................................................................................................................... 48
ACPA/NASPA Competencies ......................................................................................................... 64

Closing ...................................................................................................................... 65
HESA Recruitment Sendoff ............................................................................................................ 67

February 2015

Dear Prospective HESA Students,

Welcome to the University of Vermont! Our campus community is delighted that you have chosen to
visit this venerable University and our beautiful hometown, Burlington, Vermont. I hope you will soon
see many of the qualities that make this University exceptional.
The University of Vermont serves as a leader in higher education across a broad spectrum of
strengths, including educational innovation, transdisciplinary research, and community engagement.
The Graduate College, and specifically the Higher Education and Student Affairs program, continue
to distinguish this University among its peers for academic excellence, professional development,
and scholarly accomplishment.
Thank you for your interest in our University and my best wishes to you!

Sincerely,

E. Thomas Sullivan

February 2015
Dear Prospective HESA Student:
Congratulations on being chosen for an interview for the Higher Education and Student Affairs
(HESA) program at the University of Vermont. The College of Education and Social Services
(CESS) HESA program is among the top ranked programs in the nation. We are very proud of the
programs reputation and the quality of students in the program.
The HESA program is housed in the College of Education and Social Services. The faculty in the
program are committed to educating professionals whose work is grounded in research, are
committed to equity and justice, and arrange placement in, a variety of programs, departments,
and/or colleges at UVM. Some of these experiences might include enrollment management, the
undergraduate experience, advising, program development, athletic management, and much more.
The HESA interview days are informative and provide you with the opportunity to interact with our
faculty, current students, and practicum/assistantship partners at UVM. We hope you will take full
advantage of the opportunity to become familiar with our program during your visit and that you will
take with you the information you need to make your decision about graduate training in Higher
Education and Student Affairs at UVM. Please feel free to contact the HESA program with any
questions you might have.
Sincerely,

Fayneese Miller, Ph.D.

Dean
Professor of Human Development, Leadership, and Policy Studies
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Office of the Dean, 309 Waterman Building, 85 South Prospect Street
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont 05405
802-656-3424 . fax: 802-656-0855
http://www.uvm.edu/~cess/

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January 2015
Dear Prospective HESA Student and Future Colleague,
208 MANN HALL
72 UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
The University of Vermont
BURLINGTON, VT 05405

NAKIYA C. FINDLEY
EXECUTIVE EDITOR

nfindley@uvm.edu

ROMAN CHRISTIAENS
MANAGING EDITOR

On behalf of The Vermont Connection (TVC), welcome to the University

of Vermont! Thank you for joining us for Interview Days; we know this
weekend is one of many decisions on your journey towards graduate
school, and we are excited that you are considering UVM as the place
you may call home for the next two years. This is going to be a very
short and incredibly fulfilling time for you, and we hope you grasp a better
sense of who we are as a school, program, and community during your
visit.
For over 30 years, TVC has been a valued part of the HESA program at
UVM. Through this experience, connections are fostered between the
cohorts, with our greater network of alumni/ae and friends, and the field
of student affairs. TVC is HESAs student organization that serves two
main purposes: 1) to produce a scholarly journal, and 2) to help make
your time in HESA the most memorable experience possible.

rfchrist@uvm.edu

MICHAEL DRUCKER
CONTENT EDITOR

mgdrucke@uvm.edu

ROBERT D. DRAGO
CONTENT EDITOR

rddrago@uvm.edu

CRISTINA M. VEGA
Membership and Public Relations
Chair

cmvega@uvm.edu

LIAN M. BOOS
PROFESSIONAL/SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

lboos@uvm.edu

ATIYA MCGHEE
PROFESSIONAL/SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

amcghee@uvm.edu

JEFF BUKOWSKI
ADVISOR

jbukowsk@uvm.edu

KIMBERLEE
MONTEAUX DE FREITAS
ADVISOR

Kimberlee.Monteaux@uvm.edu

DEBORAH HUNTER
FACULTY LIAISON

dhunter@uvm.edu

The Vermont Connection is one of the oldest peer-reviewed scholarly

journal of its kind in the country. Current HESA students and alumni/ae
coordinate all aspects of the journal including: soliciting manuscripts,
editing submissions, and publishing the journal. Current HESA students,
alumni/ae and friends of HESA are invited to publish their work; this year
we have an array of people who have authored articles, ranging from a
first-year in the 2016 cohort to three alumni/ae. Another way to get
involved as a first-year is by participating on the Executive board as a
Social & Professional Development Co-Chair.
We hope that your experience during Interview Days affirms our belief
that UVMs HESA program is a very unique opportunity. You could be
spending two (or more) years with individuals that will challenge and
support you throughout your time here. TVC goes beyond the classroom
and helps us find time for both cohorts to come together amidst our busy
schedules. With professional and social activities, TVC bonds us
together and keeps us connected after we graduate.
We wish you the best in your search for a program that is the right fit for
you. We hope you will make UVM HESA and The Vermont Connection a
part of your graduate experience. If you have any questions regarding
this aspect of the HESA program, please not hesitate to contact any one
of the Executive Board members, we would love to share our
experiences and perspectives with you.
Peace Always,
Nakiya C. Findley
Executive Editor 2014-15

People & Places

Faculty Biographies
Deborah E. Hunter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Department Chair,
Leadership and Developmental Sciences
Dr. Hunter joined the UVM HESA faculty in 1985 after serving as a
student affairs administrator at the University of Louisville and the
University of Indianapolis. She served as the Coordinator of the HESA
program from 1987-1997 and after an appointment as Associate Dean
of UVMs College of Education and Social Services, she again
assumed the role as HESA Program Coordinator from 2002 until
2010. In addition to her involvement with the HESA Program, she is
currently Chair of the Department of Leadership and Developmental
Sciences, one of three departments within UVMs College of Education
and Social Services. Within the HESA program curriculum he teaches
The (Un) Changing Academy, and Capstone Seminar Controversies of
the Academy, as well as, Leadership and the Creative Imagination in
the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program.
The University of Vermont honored Professor Hunter with the 1998 Kroepsch-Maurice Award for
Excellence in Teaching Award and the Jackie M. Gribbons Award for Extraordinary Service to the
College of Education and Social Services in 2007. In addition, Dr. Hunter has been honored with
various professional awards including: The Annuit Coeptis Senior Professional Award from ACPA:
College Student Educators International; a Distinguished Accomplishment Citation from the NASPA:
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education ; and the Dorothy Truax Award and the Ruth
Strang Research Award from the National Association for Women in Education. Dr. Hunter has held
leadership positions from each of these professional associations: Chair of ACPA's Commission on
Professional Preparation; NASPA's Advisory Board and National Conference Committee; Chair of
the 1997 NAWE National Conference, and Chair of NAWE'S Division on Teaching and Research.
Professor Hunter's most recent research explores the careers of women faculty and how they have
crafted fulfilling personal and professional lives. Her scholarship has been published in the Journal
of Higher Education, Journal of College Student Development, Journal of Counseling and
Development, Review of Higher Education, and NASPA Journal (now called the Journal of Student
Affairs Research and Practice). She co-authored NASPA monograph on student affairs
research. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Hunter has juggled responsibilities as
Associate Dean of the College of Education and Social Services, President of the Faculty of the
College of Education and Social Services, and two terms as Co-Chair of the President's Commission
on the Status of Women. Her Ph.D. with a double major in Higher Education and Educational
Inquiry Methodology and her master's degree in Student Affairs were earned at Indiana University,
which honored her with the Elizabeth Greenleaf Distinguished Alumnus/a Award.
After growing up in the New York City suburbs, I never anticipated living on a dirt road in a
farmhouse that was built in 1810 with my husband and twin 18 year old sons, complete with a big
red barn and sheep, a peacock, 2 huge dogs, 4 cats and 60 trout named Fred! No wonder I am so
happy when I am on campus: I am not surrounded by strange animal noises, mud, and mess! I love
to welcome my UVM colleagues to my home to enjoy Vermonts beautiful countryside.

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Vijay Kanagala, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Vijay Kanagala is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education and
Student Affairs Administration. In the HESA program, Vijay
engages with students from both the first year and second year
cohorts and teaches courses such as: Student Affairs Profession,
The American College Student, Advanced Student Development:
Theory to Practice and Higher Education Administration and
Organization.
Prior to joining the UVM faculty in Fall 2014, Vijay held a threeyear postdoctoral fellowship in the Center for Research and Policy in Education housed in the
College of Education and Human Development at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In
addition, as a Lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Vijay taught
graduate level courses in the Higher Education program. Some of the Masters level courses include:
Foundations and Functions of Student Affairs, Legal Issues in Higher Education and Research
Methods.
A qualitative research methodologist, Vijays current research interests include college access,
success and completion of low-income, first-generation college students, intersectionality of
education and immigration, and the collegiate experiences of students of color, international and
generation 1.5 students. He is very passionate about employing contemplative pedagogy and
spirituality to address social justice issues. In addition to examining the experiences of Latina/o
students, Vijay is interested in understanding the experiences of Asian Americans and African
Americans attending Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). He has served as a Co-Principal
Investigator on several grant-funded projects dealing with Latino/a college completion. He serves as
Associate Editor of PERSPECTIVAS, a policy brief series on Latino/a higher education issues
sponsored by the American Association for Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) and the
Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Vijay earned a PhD in Education-Educational Leadership from Iowa State University-Ames. He
holds a Master of Education in Higher Education-Student Affairs as well as a Master of Business
Administration also from Iowa State University. He received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
from the University of Madras, India.

Kelly Clark/Keefe, Ed.D.

Associate Professor
Kelly Clark/Keefe joined the UVM HESA faculty as Associate
Professor in 2014 after serving as faculty and Interim Assistant
Director of the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at
Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Kelly has
experienced student affairs from the perspective of an administrator
and a faculty member. During completion of her Masters degree in
Counseling Psychology from Assumption College in Worcester, MA,
she worked as a Graduate Residence Director. As an early-career
student affairs professional, Kelly held the position of Residence Education Coordinator at Frostburg
State University in Maryland. She then pursued her passion for working closely with individual and
small groups of college students by serving as the Director of Counseling Services at Green
Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont from 1990-1995. Kelly was honored for her work at Green
Mountain College by NASPA who awarded her the Region 1 1991-1992 Outstanding New
Professional Award. In 1996, the American College Counseling Association honored Kelly as the
then-youngest recipient of the organizations prestigious Meritorious Service Award. She completed
her doctoral studies in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 1999 at the University of
Vermont.
In addition to her involvement with the UVM HESA program, Kelly engages in teaching and service
activities across the CESS Leadership and Developmental Sciences department including the
Human Development and Family Sciences, Educational Leadership, and Foundations programs.
This interdisciplinary appointment provides the ideal backdrop for her scholarly interests. Kellys
research brings material feminist and poststructural theories of embodiment, agency, subjectivity
and language to bear on a range of overlapping topics including: the physicality of educational
subjectivity (with an emphasis on college student identity), sociocultural studies of stratified versions
of schooling and college access, and conceptual analyses of educational leadership. Kellys
research interests also extend to the study of the social sciences themselves, whereby she engages
philosophies of language, creativity, affect, and agential realism to argue the usefulness of
embodied, arts-informed approaches for researching marginalization, categorization and other
complexities of contemporary educational circumstances. Recognition of her scholarship and
teaching has included being the Invited 2012 Keynote Community Lecturer at the European
Graduate School in Saas Fee, Switzerland, receiving the 2007 Reich College of Education Annual
Outstanding Teaching Award and in 2011 being one of five recipients of a North Carolina Board of
Governors Excellence in Teaching Award for her work at Appalachian State University.

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Sean Hurley, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Sean Hurley is an associate professor in the Department of
Leadership and Developmental Sciences where he teaches
graduate courses in research methodology and statistics. His
research interests include quantitative research methodology
(particularly techniques for interpreting data obtained from field
studies in Education, such as multilevel modeling and missing-data
augmentation), improving academic and social outcomes for youths
living in poverty, and applying principles from cognitive psychology
to formal learning settings. Dr. Hurley teaches Research Methods
in Higher Education in the HESA program.

Annie Stevens, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Lecturer
Annie Stevens, Ph.D., was appointed Vice Provost for Student
Affairs in July 2013. Annie arrived at UVM in 1997 as the Director
of Residential Life and then served as the Associate VicePresident for Student and Campus Life for 12 years.
As a member of the Provost and Presidents Senior Leadership
teams, Annie helps shape the overall foundation and direction for
the student life of the campus, integrating curricular and cocurricular experiences. She is responsible for providing leadership to ensure the effective
coordination of a wide spectrum of student affairs programs and services in order to achieve student
development and learning outcomes that result in an overall experience that supports students in
being healthy, successful, and engaged.
Her 27 years of professional experience in student affairs has included positions at The University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The University of California at Berkeley. Education is her passion
she earned a bachelors degree at St. Lawrence University, a masters in Higher Education
Administration at the University of Vermont and a doctoral degree in Counseling and Student
Personnel Services at The University of Maryland, College Park.
Annie is recognized nationally as a Senior Student Affairs Officer within the American College
Personnel Association and is a member of the Senior Student Affairs Advisory Board. Annie is also
a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and provides mentorship
to undergraduates interested in the field of higher education through the NASPA Undergraduate
Fellows Program.
Annie enjoys teaching the Legal Issues Course in the Higher Education and Student Affairs
Graduate Program at UVM and is also the co-editor of Out and About Campus: Personal Stories of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender College Students.

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Lacretia Flash, Ed.D.

Sr. Advisor and Chief of Staff for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
Lecturer
Lacretia Johnson Flash is the Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Vice
President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at the
University of Vermont (UVM), where she helped establish the universitys
Presidents Commission for Inclusive Excellence. For many years, Dr.
Flash served as the Assistant Dean for Conduct, Policy, and Climate for
the Division of Student Affairs at UVM, where she created and led the
Divisions Diversity Council, providing leadership for major initiatives,
including a nationally recognized diversity professional development
program and a multicultural competencies assessment process.
Lacretia earned a doctorate from the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at UVM.
Her dissertation research was on Developing a Measure of Multicultural Competence in Student
Affairs Organizations. She has presented nationally on her work, including: From Ambivalence to
Action: Institutional Steps Towards Becoming a Multiculturally Affirming Campus, Innovative
Strategies and Tools for Assessing Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs Organizations, and
her model of organizational multicultural competence.
Lacretia was awarded the Susan Hasazi ALANA Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in
Doctoral Education from the College of Education and Social Services at UVM and received
research grants from the American College Personnel Association and the National Association of
Student Personnel Administrators. In addition to her professional work, Lacretia loves the visual arts,
dance, and gardens. She has written about her life as an artist and administrator for The Vermont
Connection in the article Embracing the Artist and Discovering the Scholar Practitioner.

Beth Wiser, Ph.D.

Director of Admissions
Lecturer
Dr. Beth Wiser was appointed Director of Admissions at the
University of Vermont in September 2008. In this role, she
works with a staff of 51 professionals and works with the
admissions team to recruit, admit and yield first-time first year,
transfer and international students.
Beths 32-year administrative career spans four other
institutions. Prior to coming to the University of Vermont, Beth
served as Associate Director in the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions and First Year Experience at The Ohio State
University where she managed a staff of twenty-two and lead
outreach and recruitment activities for undergraduate admissions. Prior to her work at Ohio State,
Beth served in a variety of positions at Capital University, including the role of Vice President for
Enrollment Management for four years, and was the first woman vice president named in the
Universitys history. Beth also worked in the admissions offices of Denison University and Ohio
Wesleyan University in the early years of her career.

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Beth is active in the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) and the
regional affiliate, NEACAC. She was elected delegate to the national assembly in both New England
and Ohio. She has a passion for developing staff and has served on the faculty of NEACACs
Summer Institute for new admissions and school counseling professionals and on the faculty of
NEACACs Admissions Middle Management Institute.
Beth earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership and served as a Graduate
Administrative Associate in the HESA program at Ohio State before assuming the role of Associate
Director. Her research interests include organizational theory and behavior, presidential leadership,
and institutional culture. She also earned her Masters Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership
from Ohio State and a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies from Emory University.

Lee Burdette Williams, Ph.D.

Executive Director of Student Life and Collegiate
Partnerships, Mansfield Hall
Lecturer
Lee Burdette Williams has worked in higher education and student
affairs for more than two decades. Most recently, she served as
the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at
Wheaton College, and prior to that was Dean of Students at the
University of Connecticut. Lees professional interests include
academic partnerships, learning communities and student
culture. She has written extensively on these and other topics and
is a frequent speaker and presenter on contemporary issues in higher education. Lee received her
Ph.D. in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Maryland, her M.Ed. in
Counseling from Salem State University, and her B.A. from Gordon College. In her free time, Lee
enjoys hiking, sailing, kayaking, biking, music and lively conversation with interesting people.

Patience Whitworth
Assistant Dean of Students
Lecturer
Patience Whitworth is currently the Assistant Dean of Students in
the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Vermont. She
oversees strategic planning for the division with particular focus in
the areas of assessment and technology. Prior to this position,
Patience worked as Assistant Director of Academic Support
Programs at the University of Vermont where she supervised
tutoring services and taught Learning and Motivation Strategies
for academically at-risk students. Concurrently, Patience also
served as the Editorial Assistant for the Journal of Student Affairs
Research and Practice from 2009 to 2012. Before her career at the University of Vermont,
Patiences previous experience also included serving as the Assistant Director of the Student Life
Research and Assessment office at The Ohio State University. She earned both her masters
degree in Educational Policy and Leadership and her Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration at The Ohio State University.

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Dennis DePaul
Assistant Dean of Students
Lecturer
Dennis DePaul is returning to the HESA faculty after a several
year hiatus. He currently holds the position of Assistant Dean for Business
Operations in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of
Vermont. With more than 25 years of progressive experience in higher
education, Dennis manages the budgets, human resources and
contractual relationships for nine departments. To compliment this work,
he also facilitates multicultural, diversity and Restorative Practices
trainings throughout the institution and beyond. To that end, in 2010 he
co-founded the Consortium for Inclusion & Equity; a consultancy working
with organizations nationwide to promote inclusive work environments
through intentional multicultural competency training and development.
To ground his professional aspirations, Dennis also spends a considerable amount of time
volunteering within his community. He has served as board member and president of several
organizations devoted to helping children with cancer and other serious illnesses, including the
Childrens Oncology Camping Association International, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont,
and most recently as President of the Board and Camp Director for Vermonts Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a
free summer camp and year round programs for children in Vermont and upstate New York fighting
cancer.

Nick Negrete
Assistant Dean of Students
Lecturer
Nick Negrete is an alum of the Higher Education and Student
Affairs Administration (HESA) Program at the University of
Vermont, and currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Students
within the Division of Student Affairs at UVM. Nick oversees
student crisis management, threat assessment, education and
prevention efforts, and policies related to student health and safety
issues. Additionally, Nick works on student retention initiatives,
alcohol education, prevention, and intervention strategies, and
leads institutional efforts related to proactive parent engagement.
Nicks past student affairs experiences include Residential Life, Orientation Programs, and
Multicultural Affairs. He has served as the Assistant Director for the ALANA Student Center at the
University of Vermont, Assistant Director for Cross Cultural Centers at California State University,
Los Angeles and is a proud alum and former Residential Life staff member at the University of
California, Santa Barbara.
Nick is involved both regionally and nationally with NASPA. He has served on the NASPA Region I
Advisory Board as the Undergraduate Liaison, as well as the Student Affairs Leaders of Tomorrow
(SALT) Conference Chair from 2011-2013. He has served as a NASPA Undergraduate Fellows
Program (NUFP) mentor. Nick also leads the NUFP summer internship program at UVM, bringing
undergraduate students from various universities across the country to intern within the Division of
Student Affairs at UVM.

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HESA Class of 2015

David Anderson
Eastern Kentucky University, Political Science/Communication
Studies
Email: danders6@uvm.edu
Pronouns: he/him
Assistantship: The Honors College/Student Leadership
Coordinator
Practica: Office of Student Life; UVM Foundation; Center for
Student Ethics & Standards (CSES)
Undergrad Involvement: Honors Program, LGBTQ Student
Center, Student Government Association, Study Abroad, University
Judicial Committee/Student Disciplinary Council
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Indiana University, University
of Florida
Hobbies: Playing/listening to music, watching movies, cooking.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Progressive Community
Favorite Thing About HESA: The emphasis on diversity and social
justice.
Something I Love About My Cohort: The amount of support and encouragement we give each
other.
Fun Random Fact: I can play the pipe organ.
Before coming to UVM: My path to UVM HESA/Student Affairs is non-traditional in that prior to
coming here I also earned a Master's in Political Science with a Certificate in Women's & Gender
Studies (WGS) from Ohio University.

Catarina Campbell
Middlebury College, English Major/Portuguese Minor
Email: Catarina.Campbell@uvm.edu
Pronouns: She/Her
Assistantship: ALANA Student Center Outreach Coordinator
Practica: LGBTQA Center
Undergrad Involvement: President of the Feminist Club, Queer
Studies House, Middlebury Open Queer Alliance (MOQA), PALANA
House, Alianza Latina, Verbal Onslaught (Spoken Word)
Other Grad Programs Applied To: University of Michigan, UCLA,
UMass Amherst, Columbia, UC Berkeley, Indiana University, Loyola
Hobbies: Writing, spending time with my partner, nurturing my
friendships, hiking, eating and making yummy food.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The closeness of community
that can be created here.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The dynamic, talented, and good
hearted people that UVM and HESA attract.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I truly believe they will go off to be innovators and
revolutionary forces in higher education.
Fun Random Fact: My first job at 14 was working as a clown, which I did until I was 22.
Before Coming to UVM: Before coming to HESA I worked in Admissions for two years.

15

Melissa Carlson
Colorado State University, Business Administration
Email: Melissa.Carlson@uvm.edu
Pronouns: she/her
Assistantship: Graduate Assistant of Operations Dudley H. Davis
Center
Practica: ALANA Center, Student Life, and the Career Center
Undergrad Involvement: NUFP, Residence Hall Executive Board,
and the Business Diversity and Leadership Alliance
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Bowling Green State University
and Colorado State University
Hobbies: Ultimate, running, lifting, racquetball, board games,
adventure.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: All of the neat things that you
can do outdoors to be active.
Favorite Thing About HESA: I can't really narrow it down, it's all
about the experience as a whole.
Something I Love About My Cohort: The friendships I made.
Fun Random Fact: I love food!
Before coming to UVM: Before coming to HESA I worked with inmates in a correctional facility.

Roman Christiaens
Seattle University, English Literature with Creative Writing
Email: rfchrist@uvm.edu
Pronouns: he or they
Assistantship: Collaborations & Programs Coordinator, Center for
Cultural Pluralism
Practica: Office of Student and Community Relations, Rubenstein
School of Environment & Natural Resources, Office of CommunityUniversity Partnerships & Service Learning
Undergrad Involvement: Did a little bit of everything including
orientation, student leadership, service, multicultural/diversity clubs
and programs, campus ministry retreats and student life. My
involvement with this rad group of students called the Diversity
Equity and Education Project (DEEP) was what made me who I am
today.
Other Grad Programs Applied To: University of Massachusetts
Amherst (Social Justice Education) and University of Maryland
(Student Affairs)
Hobbies: Biking, Hiking, Cooking, Writing, Piano and DIY/craft stuff
Favorite Thing About Burlington: A lot of life and energy in Burlington. Theres always something
to do!
Favorite Thing About HESA: The built in community and support network.
Something I Love About My Cohort: Everyone is open and willing to learn from each other.
Fun Random Fact: Summer 2013, I walked across Spain with my aunt on the Camino de Santiago.

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Rob Drago
Stony Brook University, Political Science
Email: Robert.drago@uvm.edu
Pronouns: he/him
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: VP of Enrollment Management, HESA Recruitment,
New Student Orientation
Undergrad Involvement: Dean of Student Office, RA, Student
Ambassador, First Year Seminar Instructor, Study Abroad,
Academic Advisor, Events Management
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Indiana University,
Michigan State University, Rutgers University, Stony Brook
University
Hobbies: Hiking, Kayaking, Watching TV/Netflix, Pokmon obviously, meeting new people.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Having the lake, the woods, and a lively town all within walking
distance of my apartment.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The amazing people in my cohort, the real world working experience,
and the countless people who keep my best interests in mind.
Something I Love About My Cohort: A great balance of challenge and support in the classroom,
and all kinds of fun outside the classroom.
Fun Random Fact: I have a life sized stuffed animal monkey back home, he is blue/green and
named George. Weve been through a lot together and I miss him (had to leave him in NYC).

Michael Drucker
Hampshire College, Social Justice Education
Email: Michael.drucker@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Assistantship: Graduate Assistant for Communications and Student
Services at the College of Education and Social Services
Practica: ALANA Student Center, Career Center, and the Community
College of Vermont.
Undergrad Involvement: Reslife, A Capella, Theater
Other Grad Programs Applied To: None
Hobbies: Singing, dancing, self-care
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Yummy local beer
Favorite Thing About HESA: Practica!
Something I Love About My Cohort: We know how to have a good
laugh now and then.
Fun Random Fact: I am a twin!

17

Nakiya Findley
Stony Brook University, Sociology
Email: nfindley@uvm.edu
Pronouns: she/her
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Emergency Preparation in the Davis Center Operations,
Fraternity and Sorority Life in Student Life, Student Athlete Services in
Athletics.
Undergrad Involvement: Orientation, Campus Residences and
RHA, First Year Experience, Conduct.
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Bowling Green University,
Rutgers University, University of Connecticut, New York University,
IUP.
Hobbies: Cooking/Eating, Art (Drawing and Writing).
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The "big city" small town feel!
Snowboarding too.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The connections I've made with people in and out of the classroom.
Being part of The Vermont Connection.
Something I Love About My Cohort: My lifelong friends (they may not know it yet but they're stuck
with me!)
Fun Random Fact: I have a monkey (teddy bear) named Cornelius!

Jeff Godowski
College of the Holy Cross, Classics
Email: jgodowsk@uvm.edu
Pronouns: he/him, they/them
Assistantship: Graduate Coordinator for Resident Advisor
Recruitment, Selection, and Training
Practica: Fleming Museum; Student Life: Leadership and Civic
Engagement Programs; Student Life: RALLYTHON Advisor and First
Year Experience
Undergrad Involvement: Resident Assistant / Student Resident
Director, Student Government Association, ABiGaLe/Allies
(gay/straight alliance), NUFP, Office of Student Involvement Intern
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Loyola University Chicago,
Boston College, University of Rhode Island
Hobbies: Cooking, reading, hanging out with my besties,
occasionally sight-seeing in Vermont
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Views of the lake from Main Street.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The learning that happens in and out of the classroom, and
embracing being a scholar-practitioner in grad school.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love how we can academically challenge each other and
provide a support system for each other. I am really grateful for the friendships that I have been
since coming to HESA.
Fun Random Fact: I have a wall dedicated to Barbra Streisand albums in my apartment.

18

Lizzy Gomez
University of California, San Diego, Critical Gender Studies and Ethnic
Studies
Email: lizzy.gomez@uvm.edu
Pronouns: She/Her
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Department of Residential Life; ALANA (African, Latino(a),
Asian, and Native American) Student Center; Teaching Assistant for
Language Policy Issues, Race & School Undergrad Involvement:
Queer People of Color; Student Affirmative Action Committee; Student
Promoted Access Center for Education Services; Sixth College
Residential Life; Queer Womyn of Color; Student of Color Conference
Other Grad Programs Applied To: N/A
Hobbies: Arts and crafts, reading, watching television shows,
hanging out, grabbing a drink, cooking.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: My favorite thing about Burlington
is feeling grounded to nature. I've learned to appreciate living in a place this gorgeous.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The changes that are occuring and having my perspective
considered.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love that we have grown a lot together and recognize where
we are in our process.
Fun Random Fact: I am the biggest prankster.

Brandon Meyers
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Art History
Email: bcmeyers@uvm.edu
Pronouns: he/him
Assistantship: Campus Programs, Department of Student Life
Practica: Center for Student Ethics & Standards, Career Center (two
semesters)
Undergrad Involvement: Residential Life, Conference and Event
Services, & Student Activities.
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Michigan State, Seattle University,
& Boston College.
Hobbies: As an Art History major in undergrad, the visual arts appeal
to me.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: I love Burlington. This area has
everything I've needed to be successful as a graduate student--access
to necessary resources, with enough space to focus on my studies.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The people and community at this institution.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I value the support we've given one another and, even
better, have learned and grown so much from our mutual conversations inside and outside of the
classroom.
Fun Random Fact: Since moving to the second least populous state in the United States, I've met
Laverne Cox, Seth Rogen, Piper Kerman, Vanessa Bayer and Sasheer Zamata.
Before Coming to UVM: I worked at four other institutions prior to entering my graduate studies at
UVM.

19

Deryka Nairne
Hood College, Psychology
Email: Deryka.nairne@uvm.edu
Pronouns: she/her
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: HESA Assistant to the Coordinator for Admissions (two
semesters) & Making and Living a Meaningful Life in the Career
Center
Undergrad Involvement: Campus Activities Board, orientation,
overnight hosting for admissions, radio DJ, SGA member, and house
council.
Other Grad Programs Applied To: University of South Carolina,
University of Denver, UConn, and George Washington University
Hobbies: Eating bacon. Watching series as quickly as I can on
Netflix. Eating more bacon. Favorite Thing About Burlington: I
love the beautiful scenery that I can always find. The photographer in
me can't resist the amazing sunsets and landscapes.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The amount of community, love, and support I have found. HESA
isn't easy, but, the people make it worthwhile and possible!
Something I Love About My Cohort: We challenge the crap out of each other but at the end of the
day, I know the care and support is still available. We're also pretty beautiful. Have you seen us?
Fun Random Fact: So everyone knows bacon is my passion but they don't know just how much.
Let me tell you. You know the dog in the Beggin' Strips commercial? That's essentially me.

Nicole Potestivo
SUNY New Paltz, Mathematics & Elementary Education
Email: Nicole.potestivo@uvm.edu
Pronouns: she/her
Assistantship: Graduate Assistant for Leadership, Student Life
Practica: Critical Race & Ethnic Studies Department; Community
College of Vermont, Winooski; Office of Student & Community
Relations
Undergrad Involvement: Varsity Softball, Orientation Leader,
Student Activities Manage, Resident Assistant, National Residence
Hall honorary, Hall Government, AmeriCorps, Circle K, Study
Abroad
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Syracuse University
Hobbies: Using my creativity (painting, crafting, repurposing).
Enjoying time with friends. Outdoor adventures. Road trips.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: I love that you can find people
and festivals outdoor all year round!
Favorite Thing About HESA: My favorite thing about HESA are
the meaningful relationships I've built with my peers and other staff at the University. I also
appreciate that the program helped me to see myself as a scholar.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love the way we can laugh together and engage in really
powerful one on one conversations.
Fun Random Fact: I once requested NSYNC's Bye, Bye, Bye on MTVs Total Request Live
Before Coming to UVM: I was originally on the path to be an elementary education teacher. After
working 5 collective years after college in Residence Life at 3 different institutions.

20

Sean Smallwood
University of North Texas, Political Science
Email: sean.smallwood@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Assistant Dean for Conduct, Policy, and Climate; Student Life
Office: Fraternity & Sorority Life; Student Life Office: UVM Campus
Programs.
Undergrad Involvement: NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program
(NUFP), Theta Chi Fraternity, Student Government Association, Parent
Orientation Leader, Residence Life, Green Jackets, Peer Mentor
Program, Order of Omega Honor Society, Alternative Spring Break.
Other Grad Programs Applied To: Florida State University, Bowling
Green University.
Hobbies: I LOVE to read, hike, and travel. If I can go to a new place
on the weekends then it's been a successful weekend.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Food/Drink options, everything tastes so good here!
Favorite Thing About HESA: The ability and freedom to dive into topics that I am really passionate
about.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I've made some of my best friends here and the support is
so humbling.
Fun Random Fact: When I was 12, I was a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and then I quit.

Trina S. Tan
California State University, Fullerton, English Literature
Email: trina.tan@uvm.edu
Pronouns: she/her
Assistantship: Admissions and Enrollment Management
Practica: Dean of Students Office, ALANA Student Center, and the
City of Burlington Mayor's Office in City Hall.
Undergraduate involvement: Pilipino American Student Association
(PASA), intercultural awareness initiatives, statewide advocacy efforts
for educational funding and undocumented student issues, student
government, and NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP).
Other grad programs applied to: University of San Francisco, Loyola
University Chicago
Hobbies: Food.
Favorite thing about Burlington: Autumn and Church Street.
Favorite thing about HESA: The expansive alumni network,
especially our alumni of color.
Something I love about my cohort: Changing and evolving together. We are not the same people
we were from when we first entered this program, and it's a beautiful thing.
Fun random fact: When I lived in LA, I used to get casted in several award shows, including the
MTV Video Music Awards. In student affairs fashion, I once gave college admissions advice to a
celebrity's teenaged son at a Grammy concert.
Before coming to UVM: I applied to graduate school twice, because I wasn't ready the first time. I
took a year off after undergrad and worked as one of the youngest staff members for President
Obama's reelection campaign in 2012. I later served in the Presidential Inaugural Committee before
applying to graduate school. I since completed internships at Stanford, Georgetown, USC, and
Pomona College.

21

Cristina Vega
Florida Gulf Coast University, Communications
E-mail: cmvega@uvm.edu
Pronouns: she/her
Assistantship: Assistant Resident Director
Practica: Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Life Pat
Brown, Fraternity and Sorority Life-IFC.
Undergrad Involvement: Orientation, ResLife, Programming
Board, Greek Life, Student Government.
Other Grad Programs Applied To: University of South
Carolina.
Hobbies: Crafting, listening to music.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Fall and Summer are
AWESOME.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The community, I feel supported, challenged, appreciated - by the
Vermont Connection.
Something I Love About My Cohort: We are quirky and enjoy a good laughter in class.
Fun Random Fact: One of my favorite parts of the weekend is catching up on all of Shonda Rhimes
shows!

Teddy Walsh
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Anthropology
Email: etwalsh@uvm.edu
Pronouns: he/him/his
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Director of Assessment and Accreditation, College of
Education and Social Services; Student Services Office, School of
Business Programming and Leadership Development; UVM Women's
Center
Undergrad Involvement: RA, NRHH, RHA, UNCW High Seas: Men's
Acapella, One in Four, Conference Assistant
Other Grad Programs Applied to: North Carolina State University,
University of Connecticut
Hobbies: Music, films, cooking, spending time with friends, spending
time with family and our dog
Favorite Thing About Burlington: I love all of Burlington. I love
walking past all the old buildings on the way to Church St. The food here is spectacular. You can
see Lake Champlain and the mountains from almost anywhere on campus.
Favorite Thing About HESA: I'm really enjoying the classes. We have some really, really great
discussions in and out of the classroom.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love how supportive we all toward each other. My cohort is
my family.
Random Fun Fact: I have traveled outside of the US every calendar year since I was born.

22

HESA Class of 2016

Alex Boesch
Loyola University Chicago, Psychology
Email: aboesch@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director & Guaranteed
Admissions Program Graduate Coordinator
Practica: Career Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life
Undergrad Involvement: Service and Community Engagement,
Campus Ministry, Alternative Break Immersions
Other Grad Programs Applied to: The Ohio State University, Indiana
University, Penn State University, and University of Georgia.
Hobbies: Spending time with my partner, Watching TV, Keeping up
the St. Louis' sports teams.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: My favorite thing about Burlington
is its outdoor beauty. The beauty of the mountains always finds a way
to calm me down.
Favorite Thing About HESA: UVM's HESA program does an
amazing job connecting theory to practice. I have loved my assistantship and classroom experience,
but I especially enjoy them because they complement each other.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love how fun my cohort is.
Random Fun Fact: I have sung for both the Pope and Dalai Lama.

Lian Boos
University of California, Berkeley, Environmental Science
Email: lboos@uvm.edu
Pronouns: She/Her
Assistantship: Graduate Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Practica: VSAC, HESA Recruitment
Undergrad Involvement: Panhellenic Sorority (Alpha Phi),
Orientation, Alternative Breaks, Intramural Sports,
Mentorship/Student Teaching.
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Colorado State University
Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Backpacking/hiking, reading
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Fall foliage.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The supportive environment from so
many place: staff, faculty, cohort, people!
Something I Love About My Cohort: How quickly I've formed a
community of people who are there for me, and make being in
Burlington feel like home.
Random Fun Fact: Every member of my immediate family was born in a different country.
Before coming to UVM: After graduating, I worked for a year and a half at UC Berkeley in their
New Student Services department

23

Eric Gerona Carnaje

University of California, Berkeley, Psychology
Email: ecarnaje@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Assistantship: First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator
Practica: Dean of Students Office HESA Recruitment, UVM
Foundation
Undergrad Involvement: Multicultural Recruitment & Retention work
with the Pilipino Academic Student Services (PASS), New Student
Orientation and Leadership, Youth Mentorship Program in SFUSD,
and Hip Hop Dance Groups
Other Grad Programs Applied to: University of Arizona, University
of Michigan, University of Rhode Island, University of Southern
California, Boston College, Boston University, and New York
University
Hobbies: I like to take pictures with my DSLR, write and perform
poetry/spoken word pieces, go hiking, explore new and old cities, visit "must-try" food places, dance
when nobody is looking, and eat ice cream with my friend Netflix.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Everywhere I look there is some beautiful view of the lake, the
trees, and/or the mountains that make me feel thankful for being where I am today.
Favorite Thing About HESA: HESA continues to challenge my mind, my body, my heart, and my
spirit. This program never fails to remind me who I am and the communities I love to work with.
Something I Love About My Cohort: Every day is a new experience with them and they keep it
interesting.
Random Fun Fact: I was one of those people on the radio that won prizes to see Beyonc and
Rihanna in concert, and a free weekend stay in Las Vegas.
Before coming to UVM: Before coming to the UVM HESA Program, I worked as an academic
advisor at UCLA for about two years.

Graham Davis
Indiana University- Bloomington, Gender Issues/Communications
Email: graham.davis@uvm.edu
Pronouns: Masculine pronouns
Assistantship: Graduate Assistant for Service
Practica: Campus recreation Athletics, Residential Life Strategic
Initiatives
Undergrad Involvement: Campus Programming
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Florida State University,
University of Connecticut, Colorado State University, University of
South Carolina
Hobbies: Running/working out, cooking, listening to podcasts.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The scenery! Seeing Lake
Champlain and the mountains everyday never gets old.
Favorite Thing About HESA: My favorite part about HESA is the
sense of community. I feel really like I have found a family here at
UVM.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love how supportive we all have been for one another!
Random Fun Fact: I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order.

24

Liam Danaher
St. Michaels College, Political Science & American Students
Email: wdanaher@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Job Title: Student Engagement Coordinator, VSAC
Undergrad Involvement: Student Government, class officer and
school wide office. Student Programming and Event Planning. Rugby,
Orientation, Student spirituality retreat leader, DREAM, service trips
and volunteer work.
Hobbies: Cooking, sports, my Dalmatian named Teagan, I coach
youth basketball in the winters, sometimes baseball in the spring,
area rec sports like dodgeball, kickball and softball, riding my bike,
getting on a snowboard when I can and enjoying my family and
friends as much as possible.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The progressive politics, good
food, the seasons.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The people are wonderful, thoughtful,
engaged and really intelligent. I've truly enjoyed learning from my new peer group and I recommend
anyone who may be tentative about diving in to just do it!
Something I Love About My Cohort: Kindness. Truly, everyone is kind and thoughtful.
Random Fun Fact: I once won a pig calling contest as a small child and was awarded a radio flyer
wagon for my prize. I may have grown up in the boondocks....
Before coming to UVM: Current occupation is a GEAR UP Student Engagement Coordinator; I
work with first gen, low income students to get them to pursue higher ed of some sort, and once
they're there, I do my best to keep them there.

Rose Del Vecchio

Brandeis University, Anthropology and Psychology
Email: rdelvecc@uvm.edu
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Assistantship: BASICS Coordinator for Living Well
Practica: UVM Womens Center, Office of International Education
Undergrad Involvement: Community Advisor, Gateway program,
Lighting Technician in Theater Department.
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Michigan State University
Hobbies: Reading, video games, podcasts, and tumblr.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The beautiful views!
Favorite Thing About HESA: The sense of community and support.
Something I Love About My Cohort: That everyone is very open to
trying to make the most of our collective experience here.
Random Fun Fact: I really love One Direction.

25

Daniel Fairley, II
University of Richmond, Psychology
Email: dfairley@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Dean of Students Office, Career Center
Undergrad Involvement: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., School
Mascot, Peer Advising Mentors Club, Multicultural Pre-Orientation,
Cultural Advisor, Student Government, D-Squad (Hip Hop Dance Team),
Tour Guide, Volunteer and Site Coordinator, Middle Eastern Club
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Vanderbilt University, Michigan State
University, William & Mary College
Hobbies: Playing basketball, relaxing with friends, watching Netflix.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The location is amazing! You can see
the sunrise over snowcapped mountains and the set over the beautiful lake.
Favorite Thing About HESA: I love The Vermont Connection.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love how close we have all gotten in such a short period of
time. It has only been a few months and I feel like I will have all of these people at my wedding!
Random Fun Fact: The mascot at the University of Richmond (or UR) is named after me.
Before coming to UVM: Before coming to HESA I took a year off and worked as an Admission
Counselor at my undergrad for 6 months. Afterwards, I interned at the White House in the spring of
2014.

Josephine Gonzalez
SUNY Plattsburgh, Gender & Womens Studies
Email: Josephine.gonzalez@uvm.edu
Pronouns: She/Her
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Leadership & Civic Engagement, Dean of Students Office
Undergrad Involvement: Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, Student
Association, Multicultural Alliance, El Pueblo: Latino Student Union, Sister
of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., Dance Fitness Instructor
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Hunter College, Columbia University
Hobbies: Laughing, reading, working out- Spinning, Zumba, Kickboxing,
spending time with friends/family, exploring and talking about life
Favorite Thing About Burlington: The food! Sherpa Kitchen, Orange
leaf, My Little Cupcake, Pho Hong, and Penny Cluse Caf.
Favorite Thing About HESA: The intersection between the personal and professional. I also
appreciate the hands on and reflective discussions we have with each other in and outside of the
classroom.
Something I Love About My Cohort: Our willingness to listen and reflect even when we disagree
with each other.
Random Fun Fact: I have a cute and friendly dog. Her name is Sasha and she's bilingual. She's a
great listener.
Before coming to UVM: After graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh I worked as a College Access
Counselor for Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation in Brooklyn, NY.

26

Joey Leon
University of California, Merced, Psychology
Email: jaleon@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Assistantship: Graduate Coordinator for Community and Leadership
Development
Practica: ALANA Student Center, Center for Student Ethics &
Standards
Undergrad Involvement: Student Activities and Events Intern,
Campus Activities Board Member, Orientation Leader, Sigma Alpha
Epsilon Fraternity, VOICES Peer Educator
Other Grad Programs Applied to: New York University, Michigan
State University, Colorado State University, University of San
Francisco, and University of Southern California.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my three
nieces. I enjoy watching movies, and spending time with my friends.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: I enjoy all the restaurants, and how healthy this city is.
Favorite Thing About HESA: I love the HESA community, especially everyone I work with in
Residential Life! They have been supportive, challenging, and thoughtful. Each assignment in class
has given me the opportunity to think more critically in ways I would have never imagined.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love how my cohort is from all over the United States, and
vary in life experiences. Everyone is supportive, and caring.
Random Fun Fact: I can juggle three items all at once.

Andrew Mayer
Lasell College, Hospitality and Event Management
Email: awmayer@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him
Assistantship: Graduate Assistant for Orientation
Practica: Vermont Student Assistance Corp (VSAC), Community
College of Vermont (CCV)
Undergrad Involvement: International Service Learning, Community
Service, Campus Activities Programming Board, Resident Assistant,
Mentorship Program, LGBTQ Programming
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Bridgewater State University,
Colorado State University, University of Denver
Hobbies: Biking, camping, hiking, ice skating, LEGOs, road trips,
brewery exploration, going out to eat, international travel, board
games, cooking, Wii, and animated movies.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: I really like the array of places to
eat downtown.
Favorite Thing About HESA: I really like being in a small program where the faculty get to know
the students well.
Something I Love About My Cohort: I love hanging out with my peers in and out of the classroom.
Random Fun Fact: I am an Eagle Scout.

27

Atiya McGhee
Wheaton College (Massachusetts), Creative Writing & Literature
Email: amcghee@uvm.edu
Pronouns: She/Her
Assistantship: Assistant Residence Director
Practica: Vermont Campus Compact, Career Center
Undergrad Involvement: Resident Advisor, Orientation Leader, Peer
Academic Mentor, Admissions Ambassador & Multicultural
Admissions Committee and Safe Zone Coordinator
Other Grad Programs Applied to: University of Maine, University of
Rhode Island (URI), University of Arizona, Southern Methodist
University, Boston College, University of Rochester, University of
Southern California, University of Michigan, Rutgers University
Hobbies: Watching Anime, Crocheting, Yoga, Arts and Crafts,
Graphic Design, Reading Fanfiction, Hulu+ and Netflix nights!
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Scenic views and the health
conscious environment.
Favorite Thing About HESA: Everything! Seriously though...the support I have received from my
cohort, the opportunity to do 3 practicum and that my voice gets heard.
Something I Love About My Cohort: Overly Supportive for everything. They know when I am
down before I do and there is always someone calling or stopping by!
Random Fun Fact: I was born was 10 fingers and 2 thumbs.

Jeffrey Tsang
Oregon State University, Human Development & Family Sciences
Email: jeffrey.tsang@uvm.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Assistantship: Graduate Assistant for International Education
Practica: Deans Office Continuing & Distance Education,
Dean of Students Office- HESA Recruitment
Undergrad Involvement: Programming for Residential Education,
Resident Assistant, Student Organizations, International Student
Programming, Student Events and Activities, National Residence Hall
Honorary, Student Conduct & Community Standards Committee,
Memorial Union Advisory Board, Hall Council, and NASPA
Undergraduate Fellows Program.
Other Grad Programs Applied to: Michigan State University, Loyola
University- Chicago, and Indiana University.
Hobbies: I enjoy photography, cooking, baking, eating, watching
movies and TV shows, and traveling.
Favorite Thing About Burlington: Beautiful outdoors and CREMEES!
Favorite Thing About HESA: The HESA community is always loving and caring. The opportunities
that HESA provides are endless.
Something I Love About My Cohort: They are so supportive and they make me laugh, which is
always needed!
Random Fun Fact: I have been to 5 continents (South America and Antarctica are on my list!)

28

HESA Student Affinity List

The following students are willing to answer any questions that you may have about the diversity of
the UVM campus community, Burlington, and the HESA program. Please feel free to contact them if
you have any questions while you are here or after you leave campus. Their contact information can
be found in their profiles in the previous pages.
Students of Color
Atiya McGhee
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Lizzy Gomez
Catarina Campbell
Jeffrey Tsang
Nakiya Findley
Cristina Vega
Joey Leon
Rose Del Vecchio
Daniel Fairley, II
Josephine Gonzalez
Trina Tan
Deryka Nairne
Lian Boos
Biracial/Multiracial
Lian Boos
Rose Del Vecchio
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Pansexual
Andrew Mayer
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Michael Drucker
Atiya McGhee
Jeff Godowski
Nakiya Findley
Brandon Meyers
Jeffrey Tsang
Roman Christiaens
Catarina Campbell
Lizzy Gomez
Rose Del Vecchio
David Anderson
Melissa Carlson
Sean Smallwood
Deryka Nairne
International Student
Jeffrey Tsang
Attended a Small Undergraduate Institution (<12,000 students)
Andrew Mayer
Jeff Godowski
Michael Drucker
Atiya McGhee
Joey Leon
Nicole Potestivo
Catarina Campbell
Josephine Gonzalez
Roman Christiaens
Daniel Fairley, II
Liam Danaher
Rose Del Vecchio
Deryka Nairne
Attended a Midsize Undergraduate Institution (12,000-25,000 students)
Alex Boesch
Nakiya Findley
Teddy Walsh
Cristina Vega
Rob Drago
Attended a Large Undergraduate Institution (>25,000 students)
Brandon Meyers
Graham Davis
Lizzy Gomez
David Anderson
Jeffrey Tsang
Sean Smallwood
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Lian Boos
Trina Tan
Attended a Private Undergraduate Institution
Alex Boesch
Daniel Fairley, II
Liam Danaher
Andrew Mayer
Deryka Nairne
Roman Christiaens
Atiya McGhee
Jeff Godowski
Rose Del Vecchio
Catarina Campbell
Attended a Public Undergraduate Institution
Brandon Meyers
Joey Leon
Nakiya Findley
Cristina Vega
Josephine Gonzalez
Rob Drago
David Anderson
Lian Boos
Sean Smallwood
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Lizzy Gomez
Teddy Walsh
Graham Davis
Melissa Carlson
Trina Tan
Jeffrey Tsang

29

Atiya McGhee
Brandon Meyers
Daniel Fairley, II
Deryka Nairne
Jeffrey Tsang
Alex Boesch
Catarina Campbell
Andrew Mayer
Atiya McGhee
Brandon Meyers
Andrew Mayer
Deryka Nairne
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Joey Leon
Andrew Mayer
Cristina Vega
Daniel Fairley, II
Cristina Vega
Daniel Fairley, II
Joey Leon
Alex Boesch
Atiya McGhee
Cristina Vega
Deryka Nairne
Jeff Godowski
Andrew Mayer
Brandon Meyers
Catarina Campbell
Daniel Fairley, II
Alex Boesch
Atiya McGhee
Daniel Fairley, II
David Anderson
Andrew Mayer
Brandon Meyers
Catarina Campbell

First Generation College Student

Jeff Godowski
Lizzy Gomez
Jeffrey Tsang
Melissa Carlson
Josephine Gonzalez
Sean Smallwood
Liam Danaher
Trina Tan
From the Pacific Northwest
Roman Christiaens
From the Midwest
Graham Davis
Michael Drucker
From the Northeast
Jeff Godowski
Josephine Gonzalez
Nakiya Findley
From the East Coast
Jeff Godowski
Lian Boos
From the West Coast
Lian Boos
Lizzy Gomez
From New England
Liam Danaher
From the South
David Anderson
Sean Smallwood
Member of Greek Life
Josephine Gonzalez
Lian Boos

Nicole Potestivo
Rob Drago
Rose Del Vecchio
Rob Drago
Rose Del Vecchio
Trina Tan

Rose Del Vecchio

Teddy Walsh

Nakiya Findley
Sean Smallwood

Came to HESA Directly from Undergrad

Jeffrey Tsang
Rob Drago
Joey Leon
Rose Del Vecchio
Michael Drucker
Sean Smallwood
Nakiya Findley
Teddy Walsh
Returned to the Academy
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Graham Davis
Josephine Gonzalez
Lian Boos
Have a Religious Affiliation
Deryka Nairne
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Jeff Godowski
Michael Drucker
Have No Religious Affiliation
Graham Davis
Jeffrey Tsang
Liam Danaher

30

Melissa Carlson
Nicole Potestivo
Roman Christiaens
Trina Tan
Nicole Potestivo
Sean Smallwood
Trina Tan

Lian Boos
Melissa Carlson
Roman Christiaens


Andrew Mayer
Catarina Campbell
David Anderson
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Eric Gerona Carnaje
Jeffrey Tsang

Live Off-Campus
Graham Davis
Jeffrey Tsang
Liam Danaher
Melissa Carlson
In a Long Distance Relationship
Michael Drucker

Nicole Potestivo
Roman Christiaens
Rose Del Vecchio
Trina Tan
Rose Del Vecchio

In a Relationship with a Partner Here

Alex Boesch
Melissa Carlson
Rob Drago
Catarina Campbell
Nakiya Findley
NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) Alumni
Atiya McGhee
Jeffrey Tsang
Sean Smallwood
Cristina Vega
Melissa Carlson
Trina Tan
Jeff Godowski
Roman Christiaens
Person with a Disability
Nakiya Findley
Teddy Walsh
Atiya McGhee
Attended a Community College
Trina Tan
Experienced Loss of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Catarina Campbell
Michael Drucker
Trina Tan
David Anderson

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About UVM & Burlington, Vermont

Academics
o Seven undergraduate schools and colleges, offering 100 bachelors programs, four preprofessional options
o Graduate College, offering 46 masters and 21 doctoral programs, and an M.D. program
through the college of Medicine.
o 1,098 full-time and 266 part-time faculty
o 92% of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D or the highest degree in their field
o 1,896 undergraduate course offerings
o Undergraduate student-faculty ratio: 16/1
o Fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
History
o Founded in 1791
o Fifth oldest university in New England (after Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown)
o Fifth institution of higher education to declare public support for freedom of religion
o First university to admit women and African-Americans into Phi Beta Kappa honor society
o Called UVM for Universitas Viridis Montis, Latin for "University of the Green Mountains"
Student Life
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Total enrollment: 12,723

Undergraduate students: 9,958
Graduate students: 1,371
Medical students: 459
Post-baccalaureate certificate students: 34
Non-degree (CE) students: 1,034
Undergraduates enrolled from 48 states
554 international students from approximately 65 countries
More than 170 student clubs and organizations, including a nationally recognized debate
team and a student- run newspaper, radio station, T.V. station, rescue squad, legal services
and many more academic, artistic, musical, cultural, political, religious, and service clubs
o 18 NCAA Division I Athletics teams (8 men's and 10 women's)
o Additional sports: There are dozens of club sports, some of which engage in intercollegiate
competition. There are more than 20 intramural sports.
Campus and Location
o 460-acre campus located in Burlington, Vermont. (city population, 40,000; metro area
population, 150,000)
o 100 miles southeast of Montreal, the world's second largest French-speaking city; 220 miles
northwest of Boston; and 285 miles north of New York City
o On-campus students live in 39 residence halls and have access to 13 dining facilities
including two convenience stores
o Libraries: main Bailey/Howe Library, Dana Medical Library, and Physics and Chemistry
Library (in total 1.5 million books)
o Off-campus grounds: one research park, four research farms; nine natural areas, including
the summit of Mount Mansfield; and, on Burlington's waterfront, the Rubenstein Ecosystem
Science Laboratory in the Leahy ECHO Center for Lake Champlain

32

Program & Curriculum

33

HESA Program Overview

The Masters Degree Program in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration began at The
University of Vermont in 1970. It was founded to prepare professionals for leadership positions in
higher education institutions. With an innovative curriculum linking student affairs professional
practice and human and organizational development theory, this program has established itself as
one of the finest in the nation.
Graduates of the Master of Education degree program in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Administration at The University of Vermont undertake careers as professionals with knowledge and
skills applicable to a variety of functions within institutions of post-secondary education.
Professionals in higher education and student affairs administration assist colleges and universities
in attaining the goals of higher education by serving as policy makers, student service providers,
educators, advisors, researchers, activities programmers, consultants, evaluators, and
administrators. Common to each of the profession's functional areas is designing higher education
environments conducive to optimum growth and development.
The University of Vermont Graduate Program in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Administration is designed to prepare professionals to apply human development and organizational
principles to their work with students in higher education. Graduates of the Masters Degree
program possess substantial knowledge in college student development, research and evaluation,
cultural pluralism, environmental assessment, administration and planning, organizational
development, higher education policy, and legal issues. Working closely with educators committed
to the future of the nation's higher education system, University of Vermont students are challenged
to make their graduate education an unparalleled learning experience.
The HESA program curriculum reflects the educational policy of noted scholar John Dewey (UVM
Class of 1879). The curriculum embraces learning opportunities both inside and outside the
classroom, addresses the interests, skills and aspirations of each student, and prepares students
for learning roles in service to society. Central to Dewey's philosophy are the links uniting the
learner with others in the educational environment. Dewey's conception of "links" is emphasized in
three areas of the UVM program: applying links between theory and practice, among students,
faculty, and alumni, and between the University and its environment.
Links Between Theory and Practice
The curriculum, practica internships, and graduate assistantships combine to integrate conceptual
knowledge with administrative practice. With the assistance of a faculty advisor, each student
builds a plan to meet interests and professional aspirations. The program of study enables students
to gain understanding of the student affairs profession, concepts of student development, history of
American higher education, and administration of American colleges and universities.
Practicum internships, offered by over 60 University offices and departments and nearby higher
education institutions enable students to integrate conceptual knowledge with professional practice.
Graduate students participate nine hours each week during a semester as a professional member of

34

an administrative staff of the student's choosing. By selecting a different practicum site each
semester, students develop skills and expand their awareness of higher education administration
and student affairs functional areas.
Each student is required to fulfill a minimum number of hours (an average of 20 hours per week
beyond the practica hours) devoted to practice. The practice requirement can be fulfilled in a
number of ways: extended practica, internship placements (including summer positions),
assistantships, full-time positions, and/or other opportunities as determined by the student in
conjunction with the faculty advisor and approved by the HESA faculty. Students meet with their
faculty advisor to work through the practice agreement on a case-by-case basis.
Links Among Students, Faculty, and Alumni
The graduate program in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration limits enrollment to
approximately 18 students per year in the two-year program. This size encourages strong and
enduring relationships between faculty and students. Students are guided academically and
professionally by a faculty advisor and a second year student who serves as a "graduate associate."
Each individual -- student, faculty, and staff -- brings a professional aspiration and unique and
valued background to the graduate program. All members of this community respect and value
individuality and diversity. Students represent a wide spectrum of undergraduate majors,
geographic locations, previous experiences, and cultural background that enrich the educational
environment and expand social awareness.
An integral part of the success of the University of Vermont graduate program is the strong support
of its alumni. The Vermont Connection, the nationally distributed scholarly journal of the program,
features articles submitted by former and current students and program faculty promoting
professional community among alumni, current students and colleagues.
Links Between the University and its Environment
Founded in Burlington, Vermont in 1791, the University of Vermont is the twentieth oldest institution
of higher education in the United States. The institution enrolls approximately 7,000
undergraduates and 1,500 graduate students. The University of Vermont was the first institution in
the country to declare in its charter that the "rules, regulations, and by-laws shall not tend to give
preference to any religious denomination" -- a clear assertion of Vermont's commitment to equality
and enlightenment. The University became the first institution to award a degree to a female
student and to admit women to full membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
The University campus enjoys magnificent views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Mountains to
the west and Vermont's Green Mountains to the east. With a metropolitan population of 120,000,
Burlington is Vermont's largest city. Approximately 200 miles northwest of Boston, 300 miles north
of New York City, and 90 miles south of Montreal, Burlington is served by major airlines, buses, and
Amtrak.

35

HESA Curriculum
Full-Time Two-Year Sequence of Courses
Semester One (Fall)

Credits

EDHI 385

Foundations and Functions of College Student Personnel

EDHI 361

The (Un) Changing Academy

EDHI 380

Intellectual and Personal Engagement in Student Affairs

Total Credits 9
Semester Two (Spring)

Credits

EDHI 362

College Students in the U.S. (Student Development I)

EDHI 375
EDHI 380

Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education

Current Issues in Higher Education

3
3

EDHI 395

Practicum Internship

2
Total Credits 11

Semester Three (Fall)

Credits

EDHI 385

Student Development II

EDHI 361

Introduction to Research Methods in Higher Education

EDHI 380

Current Issues in Higher Education

EDHI 395

Practicum Internship

2
Total Credits 11

Semester Four (Spring)

Credits

EDHI 396

Capstone: Theory and Practice

EDHI 383

Higher Education Administration

EDHI 397

Module: Legal Issues in Higher Education

EDHI 395

Practicum Internship

2
Total Credits 9
Program Total 40

36

Professional Practice
The Higher Education and Student Affairs graduate program curriculum is deliberately designed to
encourage learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom; address the interests, skills, and
aspirations of each student; and prepare students for leadership roles in higher education
institutions.
The program curriculum reflects the educational policy of philosopher John Dewey, University of
Vermont class of 1879. Central to Dewey's philosophy are the links uniting the learner with others in
the educational environment. These links are emphasized in three areas of the UVM program:
between theory to practice; University, and its environment.

Non-credit opportunities for practice:

Summer or Academic Year Internships are positions acquired by the students. Summer internships
are typically held in the summer between the first and second year of study. These positions, both
paid and unpaid, are offered by professional associations (e.g., ACUHO-I, NASPA) and higher
education institutions. These positions offer an opportunity to the student to explore functional areas
within student affairs and higher education.
Full- or Part-Time Positions are often held by HESA students, particularly students attending HESA
on a part-time basis. If the position is one within a higher education and/or student affairs settings, it
may fill the practice requirement of the program. Summer paid positions such as orientation,
conference and meeting services, and other related areas may fill the professional practice
requirement.
Committee Work on a Volunteer Basis is another means to fulfill the practice requirement. HESA
students often fill a wide variety of committee positions at the University. Examples include the
Presidents Commissions (on Diversity and Inclusion; on Racial Diversity; on LGBTQA Equity; on
the Status of Women; and on Social Change), staff search committees, and the Graduate Student
Executive Council. Committees provide HESA students a wide range of experience with higher
education issues and may fulfill the practice requirement.
Graduate assistantships are 10 hour for half assistantships and 20 hour for full assistantships per
week positions held by some full-time HESA students. These assistantships represent a wide array
of higher education and student affairs functional areas such as First Year Experience, the LGBTQA
Center, ALANA Student Center, the Davis Center, Center for Cultural Pluralism, and Honors College
or student affairs departments such as Residential Life, Orientation, Center for Heath and Wellbeing,
Leadership and Civic Engagement, and Student Life. Remuneration for the assistantship includes a
tuition waiver (10 and 20 credit hours per year for half and full assistantships respectively) and a
semi-monthly stipend. Full assistantship positions fulfill the practice requirement of the HESA
program. Half assistantship will be supplemented with additional hours from the other categories.

37

Credit opportunities for practice:

Practicum internships offered by over 60 University and local administrative office sites, enable
students to integrate theory with professional practice. During these practicum internships, nine
hours per week are dedicated to an administrative office of the student's choosing. Students
negotiate a project(s) or set of responsibilities to be completed within the time frame of the
semester-long practicum. By selecting a different practicum site over three semesters, students
develop professional skills as well as learn about a specific student affairs or higher education
functional area.
Upon approval of the HESA faculty, selected extended practica (e.g., 15 hours per week) with
the approval of the practica supervisor may be used to fulfill the Professional Practice
Requirement.

38

Sample Practica Sites

Champlain College
Chief Diversity Officer Office
IDX Student Life Center
Life Experience and Action Dimension
Program

Cooperative Christian Ministry

College of Education and Social Services,
Assessment and Accreditation
Davis Center: Student Organizations Event
Planning
Davis Center: Emergency Preparedness
Dean of Students Office: HESA Student
Recruitment
Development and Alumni Relations, Alumni
and Parent Programs
Enrollment Management
Fleming Museum
International Education
LGBTQA Services
Living/Learning Center Director's Office
Local Government and University Relations
Residential Life: Residential Education
Rubenstein School: Environment and Natural
Resources Career Services
Rubenstein School: Student Engagement
Project
School of Business: Student Services
Student Financial Services
Student Life Office: Orientation
Student Life Office: UVM Campus Programs
Student Life Office: Club Sports
Student Life Office: Director, Student Life and
Davis Center
Student Life Office: First Year Program,
Retention and Student Life
Student Life Office: Fraternity and Sorority
Life
Student Life Office: Leadership and Civic
Engagement Programs
TRIO/Student Support Services
UVM Foundation
UVM Hillel
Women's Center
Undergraduate Program

Community College of Vermont

Admissions Office
Advising Center, Winooski
Dean of Administration Office
Middlebury College
International Programs
Residential Life
Outdoor Programs and Club Sports
St. Michael's College
Center for Multicultural Affairs and Services
Office of Student Affairs
Vermont Campus Compact
University of Vermont
Admissions Office
ALANA and Ethnic Studies Administration
ALANA Student Center Assessment and
Retention
Assistant Dean for Conduct, Policy, and
Climate
Assistant Dean, Recruitment and
Assistantship Placement
Athletics: Campus Recreation
Career Center: Director
Career Center: Non-Profit Community
Engagement
Career Center: Service Learning
Center for Cultural Pluralism
Center for Student Ethics and Standards
Community University Partnerships
Conference and Event Services

39

What Makes the UVM HESA Program Special?

The Vermont Connection
The Vermont Connection serves many purposes to the HESA community. The student-run
scholarly journal provides a venue for students to publish and edit their own and others writing.
The Vermont Connection also maintains contact with alumni by producing a yearly directory,
creating a newsletter, and hosting receptions at both ACPA and NASPA conferences each year.
Graduate Colleagues
Each first-year HESA student is paired with a second-year student who serves as his or her
Graduate Colleague (GC). GCs serve as resources for first-year students regarding all aspects of
the HESA program experience--academics, assistantship, practicum, UVM, and the greater
Burlington community. GCs often invite their first-year students to sit on their Comprehensive
Exam defense committee in the spring.
Practica
While UVM HESA students maintain an assistantship for two years, each HESA student will gain
experience in three other offices at UVM or another nearby school. These semester-long
internships allow HESA students to explore other role models, programs, and work settings while
earning credit toward their degree. With over 34 years of alumni, faculty, staff, and student
connections, members of the UVM HESA community gain a diverse array of professional links
throughout student affairs and higher education.
Academic Advising
Each HESA student is assigned an academic advisor from the faculty. The academic advisor
serves as a resource to students for academic issues or concerns. The academic advisor also
meets once a year with the HESA student and his or her assistantship supervisor to evaluate how
things are going and to discuss how theory is being practiced through the assistantship position.
Town Meetings
Just as Town Meetings are important to Vermont communities, so too are they important to the
HESA community. Twice during the year (once a semester) the entire HESA community--first and
second-year student and faculty members--come together to discuss what is going well and areas
needing improvement regarding the HESA program. This open dialogue is a chance for everyone
to share their feelings and to discuss ways things can be improved.
Fall Orientation
A fall orientation allows first-year HESA student the opportunity to become more acquainted with
UVM, the HESA program, and their cohort of students. Workshops to address the adjustment to
graduate school. A concluding barbecue is held in the Green Mountains.
Career Development Workshops
During the second-year, all students participate in a career development seminar, developed by
Jackie Gribbons. The purpose is to help second-year students clarify personal/professional
aspirations and to enable each student to integrate their theory and practice within a structured
resume, cover letter, and interview format for their job search process.

40

Graduate Assistantships

41

INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
L/L E 140 | 802-656-3450 | www.uvm.edu/career

The key to a successful interview is preparation. When prepared, you present a relaxed and
polished image and are less likely to get flustered by unexpected questions. Based on your
resume, the interviewer already decided you met certain qualifications. The interview allows you to
provide additional details about yourself and shows the employer how you will contribute to the
organization.
Research the position and the organization before going to the interview and try to obtain a
detailed job description. Use the web to research the department and read any printed materials
available. Discuss the position with anyone you know who might have insights into the
organization. This information will enable you to target your comments to the job and the
organization and will demonstrate your interest. Your research will also help you formulate
questions to ask the interviewer. Good questions display your thinking skills, your understanding of
the position and your enthusiasm.
Be prepared to discuss not only why you are the best person for the job but also how your
strengths and abilities relate to the position. Provide examples from previous employment or
activities to exemplify your skills.
In addition to discussing your strengths, learn to discuss your values in relation to work and
lifestyle. Answers to questions such as, In what kind of work environment do you feel most
comfortable? Why have you chosen the career for which you prepared? Does the idea of relocation
concern you? Reflect your values. Thoughtfully answering these or similar questions demonstrate
maturity and a strong sense of direction. If your answers are compatible with the values and
structure (or culture) of the department, you are seen as a potential employee who will be content
with the job and committed to the organization.
While preparing, identify any concerns you may have about the interview. Imagine the worst-case
scenario and how you would handle it. Be prepared to discuss your weaker areas or lack of
experience. Present weaknesses in the most positive light possible and offer examples of how you
are building your skills in that area. If the question is about an area of inexperience, discuss similar
experiences you have had, particularly experiences that required the same skills. Preparing in
advance will enable you to present yourself favorably even as you are discussing a weakness.
Interview Etiquette
Dress: Assess the organizations style and dress a bit more conservatively than you would if you
were actually performing the job. Show you care about the job by looking your best, but also make
sure you are comfortable in what you are wearing.
Listen: You can determine the assets and qualifications an employer values by listening well. By
doing this, you can evaluate whether the organization is a good fit for you. Knowing what the
employer is looking for also enables you to focus your answers.
Talk: Most interviewers will try to engage you in casual conversation before the interview.
Demonstrate your confidence and social skills by responding naturally, and take the opportunity to
initiate conversational topics yourself.

42

Body Language: Be aware of the impression your body language conveys. Avoid distracting
mannerisms or nervous behavior (e.g., crossing your arms, clenching your fists, drumming your
fingers). Maintain good eye contact.
Interest Level: Always demonstrate interest in the position through your manner and voice. Follow
the interviewers lead in establishing the tone of the interview. Bring a pen and paper to jot down a
few notes, and also bring several copies of your resume.
Answer Questions: Respond to all questions directly. Do not avoid questions or talk around them.
If the question is unclear, ask for clarification. If you dont know the answer, dont make one up!
Take the time to collect your thoughts and respond in a manner that conveys your ability to absorb
information quickly and perform well in new situations. Use examples of past accomplishments to
illustrate your skills. If you are thoroughly stumped for an answer, politely state you would like time
to give the question more consideration and ask if you might return to the question later.
Evaluate: As soon as possible after an interview, evaluate both how you think you came across to
the employer and how interested you are in them. Such information is useful in preparing for future
interviews and in making a decision if you receive a job offer.
Follow up: Always send a thank you note to the employer immediately following the interview.
This final touch enhances the impression you made in person. It is usually best to type thank you
letters using a business format, although in some instances it is acceptable to handwrite them on
appropriate stationery.
If you send a thank you note via e-mail, be certain to communicate in a business-casual versus
overly friendly style. Be very careful of grammar and spelling. Although e-mail often is described
as informal communication, that is not the best approach to take.
Commonly Asked Interview Questions
If you think through these questions ahead of time, you will be poised, confident and prepared.

Tell me about yourself.

What are you long- and short-range goals? How have you prepared to achieve them?
What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
Why did you choose the career for which you prepared?
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
How would you describe yourself?
How would someone who knows you describe you?
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this
field/position/organization?
In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
Describe how you work under pressure.
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
What are some examples of your creativity?

Work Attitudes
How do you define success? According to this definition, how successful are you?
Describe the relationship that ideally exists between a supervisor and supervisee.
Academic Assessment

How has your college experience prepared you for a career?

43

Describe your most rewarding college experience.

What changes would you make in your college or university? Why?
How would you plan your academic study differently if you could? Why?

Knowledge of the Employer

What contributions do you think you could make to this department?

Why did you decide to seek a position with this organization?

Other Interests and Experiences

What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
What have you learned from your mistakes?

Situational or Behavioral Questions

Describe the most difficult interpersonal situation youve had with a professor,
supervisor, supervisee or colleague. How did you handle it?
If your supervisor were setting impossible deadlines, what would you do?
How would you handle a situation where your direct supervisor asked you to do
something that was not consistent with your professional judgment?

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

What are the responsibilities of this position?

What qualifications do you expect the successful candidate to have?
What are the main problems that need immediate attention?
What resources are available to solve these problems?
What are the reputations, academic training, and tenures of the employees in this
department?
Do you support professional development? How?
What is the level of the departments authority in this position?
What is the departments supervisors reputation in the organization?
What are the established guidelines and procedures for making decisions in this
position?
What are the reporting relationships of this position?
What are the short-term and long-term goals of the department and how are they set?
How would successful performance be measured in this position?
How often is performance reviewed in this position?
What is culture of this organization? Is the environment formal or informal, structured or
flexible?
Describe the interdepartmental relationships.

Interview Evaluation

Note the name of the interviewer and the place and date of the interview.
What questions were you asked that you want to remember?
Which questions posed the most difficulty? How would you answer differently if you
could?
In which areas do you need more information?
Jot down notes of any interviewer feedback.
Send a thank you promptly!
44

Graduate Assistantship,
Compensation and Financial
Information
Tuition Remission and Fees
Full-time Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Graduate Assistants (GAs) working 20
hours/week receive 40 credits of tuition spread over two academic years. Half-time/Partial HESA
GAs working 10 hours/week receive tuition remission at half this rate and must pay the other half.
The rate of tuition per credit hour for 2014-2015 was $591 for in-state students and $1,493 for outof-state students. The total value of tuition remission for full-time GAs for this 2-year graduate
program is approximately $23,640 for in-state students and $59,720 for out-of state students.
Tuition remission does not cover the mandatory comprehensive fee, which includes access to
facilities such as the: Library, Athletic Center, Student Health Center, Student Commons, Dudley H.
Davis Campus Center, and Transportation/Shuttle Bus services. Please see the Graduate College
website for more information about the comprehensive fee.
Compensation and Stipends
The Dean of Students Office determines the stipend rate for HESA Assistantships. The projected
stipend for 2015-2016 is a minimum of $15,550 for full-time GAs and $7,775 for half-time GAs.
Compensation for GAs who have live-in positions includes a furnished apartment (valued at
approximately $500/month) and a light meal-plan. Full-time assistantships require approximately
20 hours of work for 9 months. Half-time assistantship require approximately 10 hours of work per
week for 17 weeks per semester.
Health Insurance and Student Health Fee
Graduate students enrolled in at least 5 credit hours are eligible for UVM Student Health Services
by paying a health fee of $311.00 per semester for the 2014/2015 year. Health insurance coverage
is mandatory for UVM students registered for 9 or more credits. The UVM-sponsored Student
Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) offers comprehensive health insurance which covers many offcampus health services, including specialty care, hospitalization and prescriptions. The UVM SHIP
premium may be subsidized by the Graduate College. The 2014/2015 health insurance premium
for single students was $2,590. Further details are available from Student Health Services by
contacting studentinsurance@uvm.edu, or by visiting the
site: http://www.uvm.edu/health/insurance.
Additional Financial Information
For additional financial information pertaining to graduate students, please go the Graduate
College website at http://www.uvm.edu/~gradcoll/.

45

Receiving a Assistantship Offer to the University of Vermont

Offers for an assistantship are made on a rolling basis until all HESA graduate assistantship slots
are filled. Those who are extended an offer have until April 15 to accept or decline this offer. To
assist us in building the next UVM HESA class, we want you encourage you to consider the
following.
The purpose of the April 15 Council of Graduate Schools Resolution is to ensure that you take the
necessary time to:
Collect the information you need about your fit with an institution and program
Visit the campuses in which you are most interested in seeing
Get a sense of your future classmates and mentors during your campus visit
In other words, we want you to make an informed choice about where you pursue your graduate
education.
So I can take as much time as I want on this?
You are entitled to take the time you need to make an informed decision up until April 15. We ask
that as a courtesy to other candidates waiting for an offer and assistantship providers that you
accept or decline an offer once you have adequate information on which to make a sound decision.
If you can answer yes to the following questions, that is a good indicator that you have done the
careful work necessary to make a good decision.
q Have you visited and/or interviewed with the campuses you wanted or expected to visit?
q Have you received the offers from the institutions you interviewed with and are most
interested in?
q Have you thought about the pros and cons of attending a particular institution or relocating to
a particular town?
q Have you gotten your questions answered by the program or institution?
q Have you discussed this decision with the significant people in your life (e.g., partners, family,
mentors)?
It is to everyones advantage that you accept or reject offers in a timely manner and this may be
well before April 15. The timing of your decision is sensitive because if you decline the offer, it will
give another candidate the opportunity to attend UVM. Additionally, if you accept an offer for a
position that another candidate is interested in, they will be in a better position to consider or
accept at another program.
We do not want you to relinquish your rights, but if you have clarity about where you want to go,
then go ahead and make a decision. If you need additional information to act, please seek it out.
After April 15, the institution has the right to rescind the offer of financial award.
What if I want to commit earlier than April 15?
If you are ready to commit to an offer, you may do so at any time and are encouraged to do so.
You should not accept an offer, however, if you are unsure of your intentions to honor it. You will
quickly learn that the student affairs field is a fairly small profession. Most of us are just one or two
degrees of separation from each other. A cavalier attitude about your responsibilities to colleagues
and classmates can come back to haunt you.
Final Thought
This is a very exciting and important time in your life. We at UVM wish you the best of luck as you
make this very important decision.

46

Discerning Fit: Questions to ask yourself

Interview Days at the University of Vermont provides you the opportunity share your skills,
experiences, and most importantly, your story. You will have the chance to connect with potential
faculty, supervisors, and future colleagues. A major component of the UVM Higher Education and
Student Affairs Administration program is the link between THEORY and PRACTICE. The learning
that happens both inside and outside of the classroom will shape who you become as a future
professional. We acknowledge that this can be a bit overwhelming to take the first step into
deciding what you want as a graduate student, practitioner, and scholar. Therefore, it is
encouraged to ask critical questions that will help you discern what support looks like for you, what
kind of opportunities you wish to pursue, and what you hope to learn.
Each institution and department provides these unique experiences. It might be helpful to reflect on
the following questions before coming to interview at UVM:
q
q
q
q
q

What am I passionate about?

What has been my journey to this profession?
What are some of my personal and professional goals?
How does the UVM HESA program help in achieving my personal and professional goals?
Do the opportunities provided by various assistantships and practicums help me cultivate
skills I already have?
q Do these professional experiences challenge me in new ways?
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but hopefully will lend itself to help you reflect on your
journey up until now and discern what experiences you hope to gain in the future. Consider the
functional areas you hope to go into, but also lean into the idea of exploring new areas and gaining
a diverse perspective. Doing so widens the breadth of your experiences and skills, and overall,
enhances your educational journey. Also, utilize the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies
(listed below) as a framework and guide for your professional development.

47

HESA Graduate Assistantships

Available Fall 2015
At The University of Vermont, several higher education and student affairs graduate assistantships
are available annually. Each assistantship is designed to provide graduate students with a
professional opportunity to support and develop the University's goals and activities through its
work with students. For specific questions about the assistantship recruitment process, please
contact Patience Whitworth at sagrads@uvm.edu or by phone at (802) 656-5476.
A list of available HESA Graduate Assistantships is available below. Please note that the
availability of these assistantships may change. This listing will be updated as changes occur.

Graduate Assistant for Admissions and Enrollment Management

Departments: Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Management
General Description: This position serves as an admissions counselor in Undergraduate
Admissions office
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Serve as a Counselor of the Day for prospective students visiting campus.
Conduct large and small group information sessions and counsel prospective students on
the admissions process.
Answer questions via phone, email and in person. Review admissions applications and
recommend admissions decisions.
Manage the Saturday morning visit program in conjunction with campus visit staff and
ACLeads.
Perform special projects for the Director of Admissions. Assist with social media and the
student contact team.
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction Very Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Very Frequent
Autonomy - Frequent
Advising - Very Frequent
Collaboration - Frequent

48

Graduate Assistant for Program and Outreach

Department: ALANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, Native American) Student Center
General Description: The graduate assistant will be the Program and Outreach Coordinator for
the ALANA Student Center (ASC) and will engage in multicultural affairs work on both frontline
student- and institutional-levels. The mission of the ASC is to support the holistic development of
African, Latino(a), Asian, Native American, and bi/multiracial students to attain their goals for:
academic achievement, personal growth, identity formation, and cultural development at a
predominantly White institution. This position reports to the Director of the ASC and requires a
person who is creative, collaborative, independent, and can function well in a spontaneous office
environment with a high level of student contact. This position also requires a demonstrated
commitment to working with and supporting the development of people of color. Additionally, the
graduate assistant will have opportunities to develop and implement programs and initiatives that
benefit the ALANA community and contribute to the overall vision and mission of the ASC.
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Represent the ASC in collaboration with the other departments in the Diversity and Equity
Unit, which includes the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Office, Women's Center,
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning & Ally Center, the Center for Cultural
Pluralism and the Abenaki Outreach Program.
Attend and contribute to ASC staff meetings, Diversity and Equity Unit Meetings and Staff
Clinical Consultation with the Counseling Center.
Assist in advising student leaders of color, and in particular, ALANA Affiliated Student
Organizations (e.g., Black Student Union, Alianza Latina, Asian American Student Union,
ALANA GEAR. Multiracial student group, etc.) by attending meetings and holding
workshops, etc.
Produce and edit the ASC's monthly newsletter.
Assist in planning major events sponsored by the ASC (e.g., Homecoming Weekend events,
Welcome Back Family Reunion, ALANA Spring Banquet, Community Meetings, ALANA
Graduation Celebration, ALANA Student Orientation Friday Breakfast, etc.).
Assist in co-coordinating programs sponsored by the ASC (e.g. Peer Mentoring, The
Brotherhood, Sisterhood Circle, and ALANA Scholar Series).
Assist in the planning of the Summer Enrichment Scholarship Program (SESP) with
opportunities to be a summer staff employee for SESP.
Other duties as assigned.
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~asc/
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Sometimes
Programming - Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Sometimes
Autonomy - Frequent
Supervising - Frequent
Advising - Frequent
Collaboration - Frequent Program and Outreach Coordinator

49

Graduate Assistant for Engagement & Professional Development

Department: The Center for Cultural Pluralism and the Office of Engagement & Professional
Development
General Description: The graduate assistant will be the Engagement & Professional
Development Assistant for the Center for Cultural Pluralism (CCP) and the Office of Engagement
& Professional Development. This graduate assistantship is an opportunity to work as a member
of a newly restructured division within a unit dedicated to engagement of students, faculty and
staff through multicultural education, diversity, equity and organization & professional
development.
This position reports to the Senior Executive Director for Engagement & Professional Development
and requires a person who is motivated, interested in working on issues of culture, social justice
(both domestic and international) as well as a professional development for faculty and staff. The
position also requires a person with experience with development and execution of programs,
strong communication skills and the ability to be self-reflective and take initiative.
The benefits during this assistantship include:
Exposure to the upper-level administrative process at UVM through attending
involvement and attending meetings with the Senior Executive Director
Experience with multicultural and social justice issues in higher education
Working with offices, programs and departments within UVM and the Vermont
community
Office in a central location on campus (Allen House, 461 Main Street)
Opportunities to co-teach, co-present or develop conference presentations
Limited funding towards professional development events
Possible summer work may be offered depending on funding, experience and
availability.
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Assist the Senior Executive Director on a fall undergraduate course. This includes
helping with course experiential exercises materials, tracking student involvement.
Scheduling guest speakers, and depending on skills and experience, potential
involvement in facilitation and presentations.
Oversee the Allen House Multicultural Art Gallery, including budget oversight, program
development, creation of marketing materials, development of art displays, recruiting
artists to do shows or displays and organizing receptions. This role includes collaboration
and outreach for exhibits with offices and organizations on and off campus, as appropriate.
Oversee a variety of programs for the CCP Social Justice Film Series. These programs
may be in collaboration with other offices within the Unit or may be connected to
upcoming visiting scholars or speakers.
Assist the Program & Event Coordinator for Engagement & Professional Development
with other on-going annual events such as Blackboard Jungle, MLK Celebration,
Education & Learning Events, Jazz Brunch and New Faculty Orientation.
Collaborate with campus and community partners for events and programs run by the
Office of Engagement & Professional Development and the Center for Cultural Pluralism.

50

Act as a representative for the Center for Cultural Pluralism or the Senior Executive
Director for Engagement & Professional Development at selected meetings or
committees.
Attend and contribute to CCP staff meetings and Engagement & Professional
Development Unit meetings. Some Division meetings may be required.
Co-presenting opportunities as appropriate to interest and skills for UVM and at
conferences.
Assist with development, support and facilitation of student staff training and retreats.
Over time it would be expected the graduate assistant would have opportunities to
create his/her own programs with the support of the Unit.

*Note that because of the developing nature of our offices, some change in tasks are possible.
Departmental Websites:
http://www.uvm.edu/~ccpuvm/
http://www.uvm.edu/~hrdma/?Page=engagement_development.html
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Sometimes
Higher Education/Administration - Sometimes
Programming - Frequent
Formal Presentations - Sometimes
Project Development/Implementation - Frequent
Autonomy - Frequent
Supervising - Sometimes
Advising - Sometimes
Collaboration - Frequent

51

Graduate Assistant for CESS Dean's Office

Department: College of Education and Social Services - Dean's Office
General Description: The graduate assistant for CESS Communications and Student Services is
an integral staff member of the CESS Deans Office/Student Services Office. This position is rooted
in the unique experience of being a student affairs professional within an academic unit. The
person in this position will participate in functions involving CESS communications, marketing,
student leadership, enrollment management and multicultural affairs. This position reports to the
CESS Assistant Dean for Student Administration and requires a person who is creative,
collaborative, independent, and can function well in a confidential, spontaneous office environment
while meeting deadlines. Additionally, the ideal graduate assistant will have had exposure to
various social media outlets in an academic capacity. New opportunities to further enhance the
CESS community and contribute to the overall vision and mission of the College are likely to occur
as this position evolves with the needs of the College.
Responsibilities Include
Serve as a key member of the CESS Communications team; Primary staff for CESS social
media outlets; Participate in the development of public relations materials and events for the
College.
Collaborate with the CESS Assistant Dean for Student Administration in all recruitment and
retention events.
Assist with further developing the College's student leadership opportunities.
Attend and contribute to the Student Services Office staff meetings.
Support the College Diversity Committee by attending meetings and participating in related
activities.
Various duties and based on the Colleges evolving strategic plan.
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~cess
Key Characteristics:
Project Development/Implementation Very Frequent
Collaboration - Very Frequent
Programming - Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Frequent
Autonomy - Very Frequent
Advising - Sometimes
Student Development/Interaction -Sometimes
Supervising - Not at all

52

Living/Learning Leadership Coordinator

Department: Living/Learning Center
General Description: The Living/Learning Center (L/L), which opened in 1973, is an academic
resource whose mission is to create an environment for students to integrate their academic/artistic
studies and their residential experiences, and to provide a venue for faculty and students to interact
outside of the classroom. The Center encourages faculty, staff, and student programs that foster
innovative and interdisciplinary learning experiences that bring the intellectual life of the University
in close alliance with the students' lives outside the classroom.
Assistantship Responsibilities:
The graduate assistant in the Living/Learning Center is primarily responsible for providing
leadership training and support to the student program directors within the complex. (There are
typically around 50 student program directors during any given year.) The graduate assistant will
be supervised by the Associate Director of the Living/Learning Center. Responsibilities include, but
are not limited to:
Development and implementation of the program director orientation program in late August
Advising for approximately 50 student program directors leading residential interest
programs
Coordination of a weekly coffeehouse schedule and budget for the Living/Learning complex
Collaboration with the Associate Director to teach a weekly one-credit Program Director
Leadership Seminar
Institution of the annual Center evaluation process
Assisting in the development and implementation of a program director retreat
Participation in the recruitment, design, and selection process of new L/L programs
Working with L/L staff to initiate and sponsor educational and cultural community-wide
events Serving as a liaison between the Director's Office and the Department of Residential
Life
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~llcenter/
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Very Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Seldom
Programming - Very Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Seldom
Autonomy - Frequent
Supervising - Frequent
Advising - Very Frequent
Collaboration - Sometimes

53

Graduate Coordinator for RA Recruitment, Selection, & Training

Department: Residential Life
General Description: The Coordinator for RA Recruitment, Selection, & Training (RA RST) within
the Department of Residential Life is directly supervised by the Assistant Director for North/Central
Campuses, and will assist in the coordination of Resident Advisor (RA) recruitment, selection, and
training as well as serve as a liaison to various campus departments and committees involved in
campus programming. This is a 10 month assistantship (Aug.-May).
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Administrative
Attend individual meetings and work collaboratively with the Assistant Director for
Recruitment, Selection and Training.
Attend committee and departmental meetings as appropriate (i.e. Residential Education
Team meetings).
Review, update and maintain files regarding RA Recruitment and Selection, RA newsletters,
recognition efforts, and community development initiatives.
Selection
Co-Chair RA Recruitment, Selection and Training Committee with Asst. Director.
Co-coordinate Fall and Spring Selection processes.
Develop marketing themes for selection processes.
Assist in the revision of recruitment materials and selection processes.
Assist in the assessment and evaluation of departmental recruitment and selection efforts.
Training
Assist in the coordination of Lead RA Retreats, RA Fall Training, New Hire Training Day,
Winter Workshop, RA In-service, and Spring New RA Orientation.
Assist in the assessment and evaluation of departmental RA training efforts.
Review, update and maintain files and materials for Full Circle (the RA Manual).
RA Community Development Support
Create, update and maintain the RA online community and social media outlets.
Support RAs in their community development efforts through the management of
departmental resources.
Utilize technology to enhance department communication with and support of RAs.
Implement recognition of RAs and their communities
Advise the RA Council.
Diversity and Social Justice
Actively engage student and professional staff members in training and dialogue specific to
diversity and social justice.
Actively participate in departmental, divisional and university-wide training and programming
opportunities.
Actively confront situations of intolerance and bias that result from a lack of respect.

54

Additional Responsibilities
Participate in a rotating on-call duty system, and respond to emergency calls on a 24-hour
basis.
The person in this position will have evening and weekend responsibilities.
Opportunity to work on development, implementation, and evaluation of the Resident
Advisor class: EDHI 202.
Opportunity to serve as a University Hearing Officer.
Departmental Website: http://reslife.uvm.edu/
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Frequent
Programming - Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Frequent
Autonomy - Sometimes
Supervising - Seldom/Not at All
Advising - Frequent
Collaboration Frequent

55

Assistant Residence Director

Department: Residential Life
General Description: The Assistant Residence Director (ARD) for the Department of Residential
Life is directly supervised by a full-time Residence Director (RD). The individual in this position
assists the RD in all matters pertaining to the management of a residential complex ranging in size
from 440-670 residents with 10-17 resident advisors (RAs).
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Resident Advisor Supervision
Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, development and evaluation of RAs.
Directly supervise 5 RAs and indirectly supervise 5-12 RAs, providing direction, support and
development through one-on-one and regular staff meetings.
Participate in the development and implementation of the ongoing training process for
student staff members throughout the year.
Programming, Advisement and Community Development
Responsible for the implementation of educational and social programs that promote the
development of community, student awareness and interaction, through the implementation
of restorative practices and advisement of staff, hall council and other student leaders.
Advise and meet weekly with the Hall Council Executive Board members to provide
development training and guidance.
Administrative
Assist in carrying out procedures for the opening and closing of the complex for both fall and
spring semesters, as well as mid-semester breaks (i.e. Thanksgiving and Spring Break).
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours per week to include time spent in weekly
Residential Education Team meetings, Committee meetings, and student staff and Hall
Council meetings.
Oversee the implementation of monthly health and safety inspections of student rooms.
Student Conduct
Understand, interpret, communicate and enforce policies within their residential complex.
Serve as a hearing officer through the Center for Student Ethics & Standards for residents
who have allegedly violated sections of the University Conduct Code.
Serve as a mediator during roommate or group related conflict.
Assist RAs to follow up on violations of health and safety standards that are not corrected by
residents when requested by staff members.
Communication and Resource Referral
Serve as resource/referral agent for campus and community resources.
Encourage participation in programs that assist new and continuing students in their
ongoing personal and academic development.
Diversity and Social Justice
Actively engage student staff members and residence hall students in programming, training
and dialogue specific to diversity and social justice.
Active participant in departmental, divisional and university-wide training and programming
opportunities.
Create and maintain communities that are welcoming and accepting of people of all
ethnicities, abilities, ages, sex, gender or identity expression, national origins, religions, and
sexual orientations.
Actively confront situations of intolerance and bias that result from lack of respect.

56

Additional Responsibilities
Participate in a rotating on-call duty system, and respond to emergency calls on a 24-hour
basis.
Serve 1 year (spring & fall) on 1 of the 3 Residential Education area related committees.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the RD or Assistant Director.
Departmental Website: http://reslife.uvm.edu/
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Very Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Sometimes
Programming/Event Planning - Very Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Frequent
Autonomy - Frequent
Supervising - Very Frequent
Advising - Frequent
Collaboration - Frequent
Additional Notes: The compensation for this ten month position includes full tuition remission, a
stipend, a semi-furnished on-campus apartment, and small meal plan.

57

Graduate Assistant for Campus Programs

Department: Student Life
General Description: This graduate assistantship is designed to provide support for Campus
Programs in the Department of Student Life. Specific duties include hiring and supervision of
student staff, program planning and execution, and support of campus-wide programming. Most
importantly, we are looking for a self-starter who is creative and organized. The Office of Campus
Programs is responsible for large-scale social and entertainment programming, coordination of
Diversity and Heritage programming and the oversight of the UVM Program Board. Our
programming reflects the diverse interests of our community and ranges from small-scale concerts
and film screenings to major concerts, comedy shows and multi-week programs.
Our work is grounded in a commitment to environmental stewardship, social justice and student
centeredness. It is important that the person working in this position is willing to be challenged and
challenge students in these areas.
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Co-advise the UVM Program Board (UPB), specifically working with the Production Team
and Marketing Committee to: build a cohesive group, gain leadership and technical skills
and abilities.
Assist in the coordination and implementation of Week of Welcome, WinterFest, and
Random Acts of Kindness Day, as well as other Campus Programs projects.
Collaborate with on-campus student organizations to plan late night weekend programming
Work with the office of Student and Community Relations to coordinate Catamount Classes
Work with the Coordinator for Campus Programs to develop a leadership and social justice
curriculum for UPB meetings and retreats
Create and implement a cohesive marketing plan that not only highlights the campus
programs office, but UPB as a leading programming force on campus.
Implementation of a "Passion Project"
Be an innovative champion for student-centered programming at UVM.
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~slife/
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Very Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Frequent
Programming/Event Planning - Very Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Sometimes
Autonomy - Very Frequent
Supervising - Very Frequent
Advising - Very Frequent
Collaboration - Frequent

58

Graduate Assistant for Leadership & Civic Engagement

Department: Student Life
General Description: The University of Vermonts Leadership & Civic Engagement Programs
(LCE) is housed in the Department of Student Life. The mission of Student Life is to foster an
inclusive culture of student leadership development, community involvement, and programming in
order to develop a socially just community of lifelong learners. The mission of LCE is to foster a
culture of student involvement, leadership, and learning through hands-on civic engagement.
The Graduate Assistant in LCE (GA) serves as a resource for UVM students interested in
leadership, activism, community service, and social justice efforts. The position develops the
graduate assistants skills of event or action planning, public relations, advising, evaluation and
social justice training. In addition to the responsibilities listed below, the graduate assistant has the
opportunity to design and work on projects of his or her own initiative with the input of the position
supervisor, the AD of Leadership & Civic Engagement (AD for LCE).
This position works with another GA for LCE and the AD for LCE to offer comprehensive programs
and trainings in Leadership and Civic Engagement. Projects can vary with the first and second
year; see below.
Responsibilities include:
First Year:
Student Leader Training & Coaching: Advise student service organizations; provide dropin advising and support to students interested in getting engaged on campus as part of the
newly opened Davis Center Career + Experience Hub
Social Justice Training: Coordinate the logistics of the Next Step Retreat (a social justice
retreat for students) with a campus leadership team, team of facilitators, and the AD for LCE
in first year.
Campus Marketing & Outreach for Service Projects: Oversee the management of
volunteer requests (from off-campus) for UVM students through outreach of community
partners and the use of social media tools and other online resources connecting students
to projects.
Training: Extensive training creation and delivery for student leaders, including outreach
and maintaining online tools and resources. Assist in the leader training for our Service
TREK program as well as production of annual Student Leadership Institutes.
Second Year:
Student Leader Training & Coaching: Advise student service organizations; provide dropin advising and support to students interested in getting engaged on campus as part of the
newly opened Davis Center Career + Experience Hub
Training: Extensive training creation and delivery for student leaders, including outreach
and maintaining online tools and resources. Assist in the leader training for our Service
TREK program as well as production of annual Student Leadership Institutes.
Student Organization Advising Support: support outreach and develop resources and
programming for advisors to student groups.
Student Leader Recognition: Plan and produce campus-wide annual Student Life Awards
Ceremony each spring.

59

Student Staff: Supervise and work with student staff to produce leadership events,
projects, and public relations for programming.

Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~lce/

Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction Frequent
Higher Education/Administration- Sometimes
Programming-Frequent
Project Development/Implementation-Frequent
Autonomy-Frequent
Supervising-Sometimes
Advising-Frequent
Collaboration-Frequent (within department and around campus)

60

Graduate Assistant for Davis Center Operations

Department: Dudley H. Davis Center (Division of Administrative and Facilities Services)
General Description: The Graduate Assistant for Operations & Event Services serves as the
primary advocate for the student staff experience within the department. As such, the graduate
assistant will coordinate and assist the student employment program including recruitment, hiring,
training and assessment. In addition, the graduate will directly supervise a team of 20-25 student
Information Desk Assistants and advise the Student Team Lead Group. The Graduate Assistant is
in a unique position to work in a highly collaborative manner with the Department of Student Life,
which is responsible for student activities and building program functions.
Responsibilities Include:
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate 20-25 student Information Desk Assistants and
1 Lead Information Desk Assistant. Includes: bi-weekly staff meetings, one-on-one
meetings, occasional staff activities, and daily scheduling.
Engage students and professional staff members in dialogue specific to diversity, social
justice, and trends in higher education during staff meetings.
Responsible for overall management and support of the Davis Center Information
Desks, which includes scheduling throughout the year and ensuring equipment and supplies
are up-to-date for student use.
Collaborate with other Student Supervisors to create a successful student employment
program, including: hiring, training, and assessment of the entire Davis Center student staff,
approximately 75 students. Recruitment outreach will involve working with the Assistant
Director for Marketing and other student supervisors on recruitment strategies and branding
at key times throughout the year.
Assist Office Manager with basic HR duties as needed each semester for new and returning
student staff. Including but not limited to: creating hiring forms and advertisements, ordering
supplies for student support programs, and submitting catering requests for staff training
events.
Advise and run regular meetings with the Student Team Lead Group from each employment
area (Info Desk, Building Manager, Tech Assistants, Production Assistants, Office
Reservation Assistants) as the central planning team for full-staff trainings and programs
throughout the academic year.
Plan and facilitate a team-building retreat for the Student Team Lead Group to foster
collaboration and communication at the beginning of the school year.
Coordinate Town Hall staff meetings and end of the semester gatherings with the student
Team Lead Group.
Schedule and run bi-weekly Student Supervisor staff meetings to address ongoing student
employment needs and programming efforts.
Serve as key member of departmental working group for ongoing diversity and social justice
training efforts for our staff.
Work independently and in conjunction with the other Davis Center Operation & Event
Services staff to develop, deploy and maintain a variety of assessment tools relating to staff
trainings, student job satisfaction, and other departmental efforts as needed for the continual
improvement of the department and facility. Work collaboratively with operations and
student life staff to analyze and report data.
Maintain the recreation and game room through the ongoing maintenance of pool tables,
board games, and magazine subscriptions.

61

Assist Director of Operations with special projects and research associated with the
management of a 186,000 sq. ft. facility.
Design marketing that highlights the Operations Office of the Davis Center to be displayed
throughout the building in various mediums.
Perform other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate:

Has a commitment to and willingness to learn about our values of social justice and
environmental stewardship.
Is an active and critical thinker who is able to identify, prioritize and manage projects and
tasks.
Has the desire to work in an active and dynamic student center environment and brings
excitement and energy to the work they do.
Has leadership, supervisory, and/or operations experience or strong potential in these
areas.
Has experience with student programming, training, or student center employment.
Possesses strong writing and interpersonal skills.
Is willing to gain skills in the area of assessment and web portal management.
Additional Notes: There is the opportunity and strong desire for this position to begin earlier than
the traditional start time for HESA Graduate Assistantships. Funding exists for the graduate
assistant hired for this position to begin working as early as July 1st.
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~davis/
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Very Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Frequent
Programming - Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Frequent
Autonomy - Very Frequent
Supervising - Very Frequent
Advising - Sometimes
Collaboration Frequent

62

Graduate Assistant for the Honors College

Department: Honors College
General Description: The Graduate Assistant (GA) in the Honors College is placed in the unique
position of constructing a professional experience that links Residential Life and Academic Affairs.
The (GA) functions as a member of the Honors College staff and assists with the daily operations,
program development, and management of special projects. Because the Honors College is a
Residential Learning Community (RLC), the GA also interacts on a daily basis with Residential Life
staff and holds a position on the RLC Summit Committee. As well, the GA works with faculty, staff,
and administrators from across the institution. This position requires the GA to be an independent
thinker and worker who is willing to take initiative on new projects. This position also requires the
GA to be an effective collaborator with upper level administrators, faculty, and student affairs staff.
This position reports to the Assistant to the Dean of the Honors College.
Assistantship Responsibilities:
Work with the Honors College (HC) staff (including the Faculty in Residence) in planning,
publicizing, and implementing Honors College programs.
Develop programming specific to first year students, with a focus on the first six weeks.
Oversee the Peer Leader Program and supervise the HC Peer Leaders (Requires evening
office hours in the Residence Hall.)
Serve as liaison to Residential Life, working with Resident Director and Assistant Resident
Director to develop programming for residents of University Heights North. Attend Res Life
staff meeting as agreed upon.
Coordinate overnight student visit program, student panels, and room tours as part of
Admitted Student Visit Days.
Organize and plan cultural trips (one each semester) for Honors College students.
Coordinate weekly socials for the Honors College students.
Represent Honors College at Admissions & Development events.
Departmental Website: http://www.uvm.edu/honorscollege
Key Characteristics:
Student Development/Interaction - Frequent
Higher Education/Administration - Sometimes
Programming - Frequent
Project Development/Implementation - Sometimes
Autonomy - Frequent
Supervising - Frequent
Advising - Frequent
Collaboration - Frequent

63

Central to the substance and structure of our professional development initiatives are the ACPA/NASPA
Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners. The complete report from the Joint Task
Force on Professional competencies and Standards can be found at: http://www.myacpa.org.
Professional Competency Areas
Advising and Helping: Addresses the knowledge, skills and attitudes related to providing counseling and
advising support, direction, feedback, critique, referral, and guidance to individuals and groups.
Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (AER): Focuses on the ability to use, design, conduct and
critique qualitative and quantitative AER analyses; to manage organizations using AER processes and the
results obtained from them; and to shape the political and ethical climate surrounding AER processes and
uses on campus.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusions Includes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to create learning
environments that are enriched with diverse views and people. It is also designed to create an institutional
ethos that accepts and celebrates differences among people, helping to free them of any misconceptions
and prejudices.
Ethical Professional Practice: Pertains to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to understand and
apply ethical standards to ones work. While ethics is an integral component of all the competencies, this
competency area focuses specifically on the integration of ethics into all aspects of self and professional
practice.
History, Philosophy & Values: Involves knowledge, skills and attitudes that connect the history,
philosophy and values of the profession to ones current professional practice. This competency area
embodies the foundations of the profession from which current and future research and practice will grow.
The commitment to demonstrating this competency area ensures that our present and future practices are
informed by an understanding or our history, philosophy and values.
Human & Organizational Resources: Includes knowledge, skills and attitudes used in the selection,
supervision, motivation, and formal evaluation of staff; conflict resolution; management of the politics of
organizational discourse; and the effective application of strategies and techniques associated with financial
resources, facilities management, fundraising, technology use, crisis management, risk management and
sustainable resources.
Law, Policy & Governance: Includes the knowledge, skills and attitudes relating to policy development
processes used in various contexts, the application of legal constructs, and the understanding of
governance structures and their impact on ones professional practice.
Leadership: Addresses the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of a leader, whether it be a positional
leader or a member of the staff, in both an individual capacity and within a process of how individuals work
together effectively to envision, plan, effect change in organizations, and respond to internal and external
constituencies and issues.
Personal Foundations: Involves the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to maintain emotional,
physical, social, environmental, relational, spiritual, and intellectual wellness; be self-directed and selfreflective; maintain excellence and integrity in work; be comfortable with ambiguity; be aware of ones own
areas of strength and growth; have a passion for work; and remain curious.
Student Learning & Development: Addresses the concepts and principles of student development and
learning theory. This includes the ability to apply theory to improve and inform student affairs practice, as
well as understanding teaching and training theory and practice.

Competency areas adapted from ACPA/NASPA Joint Task Force on Professional Competencies and Standards
(Report, July 2010). Endorsed by each associations governing bodies on July 24, 2010

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Closing

HESA Classes of 2015 & 2016

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February 2015

We hope that you had an enjoyable visit to The University of Vermont and Burlington! It has been
great working with each and every one of you as we collected and reviewed your applications,
made the phone calls to invite you to campus, and communicated as you traveled up to Burlington!
Through the entire process, our goal has been to provide you with an exceptional and
unforgettable experience to help you determine if the Higher Education & Student Affairs
Administration program here at UVM is the right fit for you.
We were all in your shoes exactly one year ago to this date. We remember being on cloud nine
after leaving some graduate school visits. We also remember leaving some graduate schools
feeling doubtful and having many questions left unanswered. Like many of you may be feeling now,
we felt anxious, confused, excited, and a wide range of other emotions. As such, we encourage
you to use us and other members of the UVM community who youve met these past few days as
resources to answer any questions you may have and as sounding boards in making your
decisions. Your best interest and fit is our priority, and we hope you share our confidence that this
process will lead you to the program that is best for you.
One former HESA student put it very well when they said, spend the weekend telling us your story
and we will tell you ours. We hope that this process has allowed you to share your story with us
and gave you the opportunity to hear ours.
Wherever your personal and professional decisions take you, we welcome you to The Vermont
Connection! We are excited to work with you as future colleagues! Best wishes wherever your path
may take you!

Sincerely,

Lian Boos

Jeffrey Tsang

Class of 2016

Class of 2016

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