Elizabeth A. Guertin has been named the director of academic advising and assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø, pending approval by the Board of Regents.
Guertin was serving as director of the University Academic Advising Center and the University Studies Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She will begin her position at CU in mid-June.
Guertin will succeed Doris Downey who has been the interim director of academic advising as well as assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.
"Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience to us and comes from a program that has a lot of technological expertise that we'd like to implement," Downey said. "She has an excellent background in organizing and managing advising systems."
Guertin has been with Virginia Tech since 1989 and provided academic advising and administrative services for undergraduates who have not yet chosen a major. As founding director of the advising center, she also serves as the undergraduate dean, coordinating policy that will enhance student retention and recruitment.
Prior to joining the Virginia Tech faculty, Guertin was the assistant coordinator of advising and coordinator of continuing student advising at Indiana University from 1985 to 1987. Her responsibilities included managing the advising office and implementation of undergraduate advising programs.
Last year, Peter Spear, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Phil DiStefano, then associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, led a task force to address concerns about CU's advising program. One result of the task force was the development of a new Academic Advising Center.
Guertin was offered the position as director of the center after a national search was conducted.
Guertin has incorporated technology into Virginia Tech's advising program by establishing the Advising Center web server and home page. She is also familiar with developing computer programs and maintaining computerized records.
"She has experience in establishing and administering the type of program we want to implement," Spear said. "She was definitely the most qualified applicant and we're delighted that she has accepted."
Guertin earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa in 1973. She received a master's in English from Indiana University in 1976.
She is the recipient of several honors and awards including the William Riley Parker Award in 1979 for outstanding teaching in an English department. She has presented at several conferences and has served on various committees regarding academic advising issues.
Guertin's proposed salary as assistant dean and director of academic advising in the College of Arts and Sciences is $67,000.