June 19, 2013
University College changes will aid student success
CARBONDALE, Ill. – With a new team of academic advisors and a newly appointed associate dean, University College at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is more ready than ever to help students finish what they started.
The new positions are part of a new student intake advisement model created to help students better prepare for their college careers. The model includes new “maps” for majors and curricular guides. The effort coincides with SIU Carbondale’s selection to the Educational Advisory Board’s Student Success Collaborative program.
The program uses data analysis to help identify and then reduce the obstacles that stand between students and graduation. In addition, the analysis provides a clear picture of factors contributing to student success.
“Our top priority is student success, and these changes will help our new first-year students become more engaged,” Chancellor Rita Cheng said. “We will be providing them with the best advisement, career and major counseling, and mentorship available.”
Royce Burnett, associate professor and KMPG Research Professor of Accountancy in SIU Carbondale’s School of Accountancy, is now associate dean of University College.
Burnett joined the SIU Carbondale faculty in 2009. He teaches cost and management accounting to all levels of students, from undergraduate to doctoral students. His research interests include environmental cost management, corporate sustainability, public policy, and accounting education reform, and he frequently publishes in academic and professional journals. He presents his work at professional and academic conferences.
Burnett’s dedication to teaching has earned him several teaching awards: at SIU he is a recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Instructor for the College of Business. Burnett serves on several committees pertaining to student success, and he has chaired a number of doctoral dissertations in accountancy. He brings extensive private sector experience to his role as professor, and he serves as officer or committee member for various professional associations. His professional designations include Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
Burnett will maintain his position at the School of Accountancy as well.
John Nicklow, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Burnett is a good fit for the position.
“He has an analytical mind; he is very data driven,” he said. “He also has a true passion for students and he has a unique ability to show that passion through his work.”
The new team of academic advisors, assembled through an on-campus search, is:
- Jasmine I. Aquino, formerly academic advisor in the College of Education and Human Services, and UCOL instructor.
- Angela Cummings-Hunter, formerly academic advisor in the College of Education and Human Services, and EDUC 100 instructor.
- Adrienne M. Gulley, formerly developmental skills training specialist, academic advisor and instructor for Center for Academic Success/Exploratory Students.
- Jason Hartz, formerly academic advisor and recruiter in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, and instructor.
- Aimee Lemrise, formerly academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts, and instructor.
- Brittany J. McElroy, formerly academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts, and instructor.
- Kaila Tyner, formerly academic advisor in the College of Education and Human Services and UCOL instructor.