As an FGCU
alumnus Adam brings enthusiasm for meeting student needs to the
management of the First
Year Advising Team and within his contributions to the unit which also
includes Orientation and Parent Programs. Originally from Illinois, Adam holds a BA in Psychology
and
earned his FGCU MA in Counselor Education. Adam began his
employment with FGCU in 1998 serving as a research assistant in the COE,
assistant in Career Services and then became FGCU's first GA resident
counselor working for the counseling center in conjunction with
residence life from 1998-2000. Adam joined our department in
2000 as an academic counselor and advanced his leadership to the unit as
assistant director and was promoted to associate director in 2007.
Adam taught freshmen seminar from 2000-2006 and Effective Learning
through the Migrant Summer Institute. He also serves on the first
year summer reading project committee, is vice-chair of the Academic
Advising Council and contributes to a data subcommittee of the
Enrollment/Retention Management Committee.
Adam oversees the
facilitation of the peer advisor training for our orientation leaders
and peer advisors. Adam serves as the chapter
advisor to Kappa Alpha and the Phi Eta
Sigma Honors Society. As a frequent presenter at NACADA Adam
enjoys contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the advising
profession. His interests include promoting service excellence,
staff, development, team building, operational innovation and website
development to enhance student service delivery. Adam specializes in major exploration
for deciding students and is the organizer of the Annual
FGCU Major Fair. Adam is the web author/developer for
First Year Advising and strives to provide progressive utilization of
technology to supplement the advisement of FGCU students. Adam enjoys
kayaking, swimming, and motorcycle touring.
Allison was born and raised in New Jersey, where she obtained a B.S. in
Environmental and Business Economics from Rutgers University (Cook
College) in May 2006. She made the move to Florida to attend graduate
school at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she received
her Masters Degree in Education (with a focus on College Student
Affairs) in May 2008. While at USF, Allison served as the graduate
assistant for intramural sports in Campus Recreation during her first
year of graduate work. In May 2007, Allison made the transition to USF
Athletics, where she was the Graduate Academic Coordinator for the Men’s
Baseball Team. It was her work with these student-athletes combined
with her graduate studies that sparked her interest in academic
advising, which landed her at FGCU. Allison enjoys building
relationships with students while they grow during their tenure in
college. She currently resides in Fort Myers with her brother, John,
and she enjoys going to the beach, reading, and visiting friends and
family.
Ashley Pittman joined First Year Advising in the Fall of 2008.
Originally from the Metro-Atlanta area, Ashley lives in Ft.Myers with
her husband and two year old daughter. Ashley holds a BBA in
Organizational Behavior from Southern Methodist University in Dallas,
TX, and received her MA in Counseling from the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte. Her past work experiences include 15 years of
advising students through the college admission process from both the
secondary and collegiate level. Ashley enjoys helping students discover
their academic and career interests. Her hobbies include reading,
gardening, music, photography, college sports, and spending time with
her family and friends.
David
is the newest member of the advising team, having joined in the Fall of
2009. David was born in Saint Augustine, FL., but moved to Fort Myers
with his family when he was a teenager. David is an alumnus of FGCU
having earned both a Masters of Business Administration (2005) and
Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems (2003). His past
work experience includes recruiting undergraduate students, and advising
first-time-in-college, and special population students through the
college admissions process. He enjoys listening to music, taking
photos, finding interesting websites, and spending time with loved
ones. David feels that “the opportunity to build advising relationships
with students, and partner with them on a successful academic journey is
a great privilege.”
Carrie
is originally from Winston-Salem, N.C. and moved to Fort Myers when she
was 13 years old. Carrie attended Cypress Lake High School and then
attended Edison State College. She then transferred to FGCU where she
is a junior pursuing her bachelor’s in science degree in Health Science.
Afterwards she plans on working towards her Master’s degree in either
Occupational Therapy or Mental Health Counseling. In Carrie’s spare time
she enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, reading, playing
golf and going to the beach. "The best part of my work in First Year
Advising is helping students develop their academic strengths through
the selection of classes and providing encouragement for success."
Kyle
Matera is a junior majoring in Psychology. He is originally from Long
Island, New York but moved to Florida in 2007 to attend FGCU. Kyle
works at the First Year Advising front desk answering the phone and
assisting the many students who come in. In his free time he enjoys
hanging out with friends, listening to a wide variety of music and
enjoys late night trips to IHOP.
Vonea
and her family moved from New York City when she was 7 years old. She
attended Lehigh Senior High School and then attended University of
Central Florida where she worked as a student assistant in the Office of
Student Involvement. She then transferred to FGCU where she is a senior
pursuing her degree in Biology. Afterwards she plans
on applying to Physician Assistant school at NSU and UF. Vonea enjoys
spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, shopping,
watching movies and traveling.
With
11
years of experience working in Student Services and Admissions at FGCU,
Sonia Casanova now serves as office manager and point of contact for the
Office of First Year Advising, Eagle View Orientation and Parents’
Office. She provides assistance to Students, Director, Assistant
Director and Coordinators as needed and she has vast experience
supporting FGCU Students, Programs and Events. Her focus on serving and
building lasting relationships with the students and members of the
University Community has afforded her the opportunity to become a very
spirited and rewarded employee. She is dedicated and committed to FGCU
and routinely promotes FGCU to prospective students and families through
her active community involvement.
