Making the most of each semester
Gordon Gillion advises in new role
March 12, 2008
Melissa Kuenzi
Getting from O-Day to graduation can be a difficult task, and strategic course selection is imperative to completing this goal. In order to help with this process, Trinity Western University has recently upgraded its academic advising method. Associate Professor of Education Gordon Gillion has taken on the newly created position Director of the Advising office.
“Originally,” says Gillion, “I was supposed to be dealing with first years who haven’t picked a major yet.” His job description has grown considerably beyond that, however, to include a variety of tasks that ensure students are given correct and helpful academic advice.
Gillion notes that the student demographic at TWU is changing, as more mature students join the community and the graduate programs expand. In addition, there are more diverse needs to be met with the implementing of TWU’s degree completion program and the Bellingham extension campus.
Students seeking to change majors and in the process of transferring to or from another university are also now advised by Gillion.
But Gillion’s job is meant to benefit every student on campus. His office in the Career Center is open to student drop-ins throughout the week.
He says that he has much confidence in all of TWU’s academic advisors, but also points out that he is able to spend more time with each individual who wants to see him. “With a regular academic advisor, you have a fifteen-minute slot. With me, you have twice as long – or you can just drop in to ask a quick question.”
Besides meeting one-on-one with students, Gillion works with recruitment in the admissions department, talking to prospective students about the choices of major at TWU. He also works with the office of the registrar and meets with students to ensure that they are on track to graduate on time.
In addition, Gillion is involved with the career center to help students get ideas of how to apply their major to the work force after graduation or how to successfully apply to graduate school. He also oversees which students are assigned to which academic advisors to ensure that students who change majors are transferred to an advisor within the correct department, taking every step to ensure that the highest quality of academic advising is available to all students.
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