Center for Teaching and Learning

 Center for Teaching and Learning
August 31, 2015 Dear Chancellor Huckaby, In 2002, Dr. Sylvia M. Hutchinson retired from full-­‐time employment from The University of Georgia. Hutchinson’s career spanned the faculty rank—retiring as Professor of Reading Education and of Higher Education—as well as that of administrator—from Associate Dean in the College of Education to Founding Coordinator of UGA’s Emerita Scholars and leader of peer consulting efforts within UGA’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Hutchinson’s impact on The University of Georgia is vast, immeasurable and will surely be judged by future historians of the institution as highly significant. Hutchinson’s admirable post-­‐retirement career at the University has relied on a respectful, inclusive collegiality and a responsive, collaborative approach to developing projects and initiatives directly aligned with the institution’s strategic missions. Hutchinson’s dedication to the University and its students’ success is worthy of recognition. I am pleased to offer this letter of nomination on her behalf for the Chancellor’s Annual Award for Service Excellence. In the years subsequent to 2003, Hutchinson has given her time and energy to the University without any remuneration. She has taught seminars for the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors Program, the Graduate School, and the First-­‐Year Odyssey Seminar program. Hutchinson’s zeal for student success and individual attention to students has seen her mentoring hundreds of students across the Honors program, the Coca-­‐Cola Scholars First-­‐Generation program, the Student Conduct program, and even those she meets randomly on campus. In the last academic year alone, Hutchinson has conducted numerous workshops for the Graduate School, Academic Advisors in various colleges while also serving on a number of key University boards, committees, and task forces. Hutchinson recently returned to the UGA Center for Teaching and Learning to coordinate mentoring and development efforts surrounding the University’s graduate teaching assistants. She returns to the CTL from a two year journey within UGA Student Affairs where, as the Director of Academic Partnerships and Initiatives, her efforts saw remarkable gains for a new venture within Student Affairs, one that needed Hutchinson’s leadership to connect Student Affairs with the work of Academic Affairs. Since October 2013, Hutchinson’s efforts in Student Affairs have included a litany of collaborative endeavors: initiating, along with Dr. Kara Fresk and Dr. Mike Freidline, an innovative program to provide mentoring for students entering the Student Conduct process including recruiting faculty mentors to sit for a training program and take on these students for meeting-­‐based mentorships; overseeing plans with Student Affairs’ Josh Podvin and Donavan Nichols to connect outside-­‐the-­‐classroom learning opportunities with the piloting of a new online, interactive platform (www.involve.uga.edu) to list social and service organizations that students and their advisors can now locate with greater ease; championing the Disability Resources Center and connecting their resources with faculty via workshops with CTL; planning and locating a home for a student substance abuse recovery program and creating a course for students with partners in the University Health Center; and, holding regular meetings with senior administrators to discuss efforts in support of transfer, first-­‐generation, a University women's center, advisor collaboration, and a more robust, meaningful presence for retirees on campus. These efforts have placed Student Affairs Partnerships and Initiatives on very solid ground. From a high level of administrative developments—establishing an Academic Advisory Board for the Vice President of Student Affairs made up of award-­‐winning faculty, students, advisors, and selected liaison administrators—to introducing disparate campus offices into sustained conversations on student success, Hutchinson’s devotion is the epitome of the Chancellor’s award for service. As noted above, her direct engagement with UGA’s students did not end in official retirement as she continues to teach a pre-­‐
medicine seminar course within the Honors program, a First-­‐Year Odyssey course on the history of learning at the University, courses on instruction in higher education and teaching portfolios for the Graduate School, and a transfer student course in the College of Education. Hutchinson’s work extends outside the classroom. Driven by a dedication to first-­‐generation students, she has spent countless hours at lunches, dinners, and coffees with Coca-­‐Cola Scholars and promoted awareness of first-­‐generation access among the Athens community with assistance in hosting a First Generation movie night in Fall 2013 and Fall 2015. While in Student Affairs, Hutchinson called on Dr. Shannon Wilder, Director of the Office of Service Learning, to host visitors from the ExperienceUGA program—Clarke County public school students—during their trip to the UGA campus during the academic year. Her concern for students who might self-­‐identify as introverts compelled Hutchinson to launch efforts to examine learning opportunities for these students and to organize a lecture by Dr. Keith Campbell, Chair of the Department of Psychology so that students and teaching faculty might consider special learning needs of these students. Finally, Hutchinson has proven herself a tireless advocate for awareness on the sexual assault crisis on American college and university campuses. In Spring 2015, she chaired a working group that secured funding and support to bring The Hunting Ground film to campus for three, free showings and interactive panel discussions. Hutchinson also served as an advisor to the Student Government Association during its drafting a proposal for a Women’s Center at the University. When not teaching or serving to connect members of the campus community, envision and build programs, or inspire all those in her vicinity, Hutchinson can be found supporting UGA’s athletes—she is an avid Gym Dogs fan—or attending meetings of groups whose visions she shares, including: the Graduate School Advancement Board or the UGA Retirees Association; chairing the Executive Advisory Board of the Education Law and Policy Consortium; serving as Vice President of Palladia, UGA’s Women's Honor Society; and, serving on the Young Harris College Alumni Board. This nomination only hints at the informed and meaningful work of Dr. Sylvia M. Hutchinson in her post-­‐
retirement career at the University of Georgia. She is a deserving candidate of the Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence. Hutchinson’s entire career at the University has been motivated by service to students, to the institution, and to the ideals that lay at the heart of higher education. I welcome any questions you might have regarding the nomination of this truly remarkable individual. Cordially, Thomas Chase Hagood, Ph.D. Assistant Director, UGA Center for Teaching and Learning Instructional Plaza — Athens, Georgia 30602-3016 — Telephone (706) 542-1355 — Fax (706) 542-6587
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution
UGA Student Affairs announces
inaugural Academic Advisory Board
December 19, 2013
Print
Share Like
12
Writer: Stan Jackson Contact: Thomas W Cauthen , Athens, Ga. ­ The University of Georgia Division of Student Affairs
announces the formation of the inaugural Academic Advisory Board. The
Photography
board, comprising select faculty, students, administrators and staff, will
share learning designs across campus in a collaborative effort to support
student success.
Victor K. Wilson, vice president for student affairs, created the board from a
desire to enhance the existing mission of Student Affairs.
"This new board grows from a long­standing commitment to excellence in
academic achievement both within and beyond the traditional university
classroom," Wilson said. "This existing mission is now coupled with a new
desire to examine, grow and develop partnerships across campus to provide
enhanced learning opportunities for twenty­first century students."
Board members gathered at a reception on Dec. 10 in Adrinka Hall in
Memorial Hall to have a conversation outlining opportunities for
collaboration of their respective areas. The group was welcomed by Wilson;
T.W. Cauthen, assistant vice president for academic, campus and
community partnerships; and Sylvia Hutchinson, director of academic
The Academic Advisory Board is
comprised of faculty, students,
administrators and staff who will
collaborate in effort to support
1 of 2 Related Sites
Student Affairs, Division of
partnerships and initiatives.
"UGA is a learning place," said Hutchinson. "Learning takes place in the traditional classroom and outside class. This
afternoon's conversation illustrates the promise of this group's ability to make connections and support a comprehensive
learning experience for our students."
Board Members include: • Lauren Ashley­Mayo, a Coca­Cola First Generation Scholar and third year journalism major;
• Matthew L. Bishop, director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development;
• Marguerite "Peggy" Brickman, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in the department of plant biology who
received the Richard B. Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2006;
• Ronald Cervero, associate vice president for instruction who has been a faculty member since 1986;
• Smitha Ganeshan, a Foundation Fellow, recipient of the 2013 the Harry S. Truman Scholarship and fourth­year student
majoring in biology and anthropology;
• Eilidh Geddes, a Foundation Fellow and third­year student majoring in economics and mathematics;
• Thomas "Chase" Hagood, coordinator of faculty development and recognition in the Center for Teaching and Learning;
• Tina Harris, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in the department of communication studies;
• John Inscoe, the Albert B. Saye Professor of History and University Professor in the department of history; • Loch Johnson, Regents Professor and Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in the department of international
affairs who was named the inaugural SEC Professor of the Year in 2012;
• Myra Moore, director of assessment, rankings and undergraduate programs and a senior lecturer in the Terry College of
Business; • Marisa Pagnatarro, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in legal studies and a 2004 recipient of the Richard B.
Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award;
• Linda Renzulli, an associate professor and graduate coordinator in the department of sociology who received the Richard B.
Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2007;
• Martin Rogers, associate director of the Honors Program and the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities;
• Janet Westpheling, a professor of genetics and the BioEnergy Science Center's activity lead for education and outreach who
received the university's Creative Research Medal in 2000;
• Wanda Wilcox, an academic adviser in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences who received the Outstanding Academic
Advisor Award in 1999 and 2013; and
• Shannon Wilder, founding director of the Office of Service­Learning who oversees programs and initiatives related to faculty
and graduate student development, grants and funding for service­learning, faculty awards and recognition programs and
university initiatives promoting community engagement.
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 17 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the
University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in­class and out­of­class experiences, promoting an
environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and
emotional development. For more information, see studentaffairs.uga.edu.
Filed under: Culture / Living, Education, University News, Appointments
Psychology department head to present
lecture on introversion and education
February 26, 2014
Print
Share Like
12
Writer: Stan Jackson Athens, Ga. ­ Keith Campbell, a psychology professor at the University of
Georgia, will give a lecture on how introversion impacts learning March 4 at
Photography
2 p.m. in the Reading Room of the Miller Learning Center. The event is free
and open to the university community.
The lecture is titled "Being an Introvert in an Extraverted World: The
Case of Education" and is hosted by the UGA Student Affairs department
of academic partnerships and initiatives.
Campbell, head of the psychology department, explains that the traits of
extraversion and introversion have a long history in personality psychology,
but that the topic is particularly relevant today.
"There are so many situations where extraversion helps, such as a job
interview, to finding a date, to participating in class," Campbell said. "This is
more important now than ever because people change jobs more often,
Keith Campbell, a professorand
head of the psychology department,
has studied signs of narcissism on
Facebook.
date more and delay marriage, and are expected to actively participate in
classrooms."
It is the last point that caught the attention of Sylvia Hutchinson, professor
emerita and director of student affairs academic partnerships and initiatives.
1 Related Sites
Student Affairs, Division of
"Our interest in this topic began in conversations with both UGA students
and advisers," Hutchinson said. "They indicated a need for a better understanding of instruction and campus opportunities for
the introvert."
As she learned more about introversion, Hutchinson became worried that she had tailored her classes for years for participation
based on traditional extrovert responses. She wondered how many hundreds of great responses went unspoken from those
who were not comfortable offering their ideas to the public forum of the classroom. When she began to share her concern with
students and peers, she was overwhelmed with their responses.
"There are students that are feeling real pain in the classroom," she said. "We hope this lecture will be the beginning of a
continuing discussion about making UGA an accessible learning place for all students­not just those who like to exchange ideas
in a vociferous way."
Hutchinson is confident that Campbell, a nationally recognized expert on narcissism, society and generational change, is the
perfect choice to get the conversation started.
"There are several definitions [of introversion and extraversion] that people use, so I will hopefully clarify those," Campbell said.
"I will talk about the cultural trends that seem to favor extraversion, and I will discuss some ways people who are more
introverted can operate more effectively in this current environment."
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 20 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the
University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in­class and out­of­class experiences, promoting an
environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and
emotional development. For more information, see studentaffairs.uga.edu.
Filed under: Culture / Living, Communications, Education, University News