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Show - - -- - - - r gw .. .. . - . . - - - - - . - .. . . . . .1-, ,, ,, tm - ,i m- inlV i i i - r i .-.Mi r-" '- - - - -T " r ' J - 1 tmlftiffr" - - i - A life of travel leads Sharon Alken-Wisr wski to WSU By Melinda Webber news writer-The Signpost After years of traveling the country, Sharon Aiken-Wisnewski has decided to settle H"wa and work as the new director of the Academic Advisement Cent -for Weber State University. Since her husband was ii the Air Force they traveled exun-sively. But for the last five years they have lived in Arizona where she worked at the University of Arizona in the academic advising center for exploratory students. i A year ago when her husband retired, Aiken-Wisnewski decided it was her turn to work and live in a place of her choice. : "I truly love academic advising and this job gives me the opportunity to ensure that students are properly served," she said.. . .. : "I want to focus extensively on helping students to realize that you don't want to put yourself in this tiny little box, because there is so much stuff out there," Aiken-: Wisnewski said. She believes that you need to be ready "and able to take on any opportunity when it presents itself. "You don't want to limit yourself because you never know what your situation is going to be." She also explained that we must constantly be able to recreate ourselves.? Throughout Aiken-Wisnewski's life she has done just that She has experienced many different and interesting situations. As a native of Vermont, Aiken-Wisnewski moved away to the University of Maine as a first generation college student. There she received her bachelor's of arts in political science. Later, she received her master's degree in international relations through Troy State University in Alabama. Froml982 tol984, Aiken-Wisnewski worked as an admis GtOTO STEEL SQ. TUBE Make your own SHEDS, BARNS .wwvVa w, gates, portable HOMES lJS Panelsetc-Cover your own with JTTrj Outside Dlmensiont ' "HI-RIB" STEEL SSMlJil 34" ft. . JJsO 1 X 1 J1 'Ptlnfd-!9geMtSrmrS!y48s.f.- 1-14x1-14" 404 '26gaBlueftromXlrBmS8ts.l.- 1-12x1-12" 464 -!4gaTaiVBuersen59(s.l.- 2x2" 654 ft AHprices art per sq. n. CLOSEOUTS - LIMITED QTYS BUY NOW Y "T L M A RT CUSr LENGTHS DELIVERY AVAILABLE 1200 E. 100 S. LEHI, UT 800-947-0249 visit our Web sites! ,, ' , , . , . www.mcfrugal.com Call For FREE StockPrice List! www.metalsales.com driving you nuU? W I f W I I 'ViTi, UTAH'S BEST & BIGGEST MVIuSS syjj STORAGE CONTAINERS Ant &zzL For Sale Or Rent ."J,? . 20'. 40 & 4cS Unas No One Else In Utah Guarantees F T. , j Their Containers! We Do For f ? ' Two Full Years! ir, I (801) 977-8885 (800) 370-0111 - 4 2438 W. 1 1 00 S. Salt Lake City 7 want to focus extensively on helping students to realize that you don 't want to put yourself in this tiny little box, because there is so much stuff out there. " Sharon Aiken-Wisnewski, director of academic advisement sions counselor at the University of Maine: From 1 984 to 1989, she and her husband lived in England where Aiken-Wisnewski did volunteer : work, substitute teaching and did a co-op where she worked extensively on her master's. : : From 1989-1992. Aiken-Wisnewski worked here at Weber State University as the coordinator of the peer program in the Academic Advisement Center. . 'Tin learning a lot about the semester conversion, but I think it was real helpful that I worked here while; on quarters," she said. ;S From 1992 to 1994 she and her husband had the opportunity to live in Germany where she was a librarian at the U.S. Embassy.' Next, they lived in Arizona where Aiken-Wisnewski took courses in higher education administration at the University of Arizona. V ? As. the director of the Academic Advisement Center, : Aiken-Wisnewski feels that her role is "to facilitate programs that concern the : academic advisement component so that students understand and have;; success.f"; This is accomplished through a very capable staff." The Academic Advisement Center is responsible for advising studentsabout registration and general education, assisting students with major exploration, assisting students with academic difficulties and answering ques-: tions about academic policies and procedures.::;: Aiken-Wisnewski explained that GZ 02LS (fop she wants to focus on helping students who are academically at risk. ;.:; "Students need to understand where they are academically so they can progress," she said. She also explained that having a bad semester doesn'tnecessarily mean that they can't do the work. "Many times they can do the work, but they need to identify key . resources on the campus that can help them," she said. ! Aiken-Wisnewski also wants to help those who are making transitions, whether it be from high school or work. As a first generation college student, Aiken-Wisnewski has a real interest in that particular population and she understands what it is to get registration packets in the mail and not know what to do with them. . ; Aiken-Wisnewski win also be co-teaching Introduction to the University for freshmen students.1 She explained that she truly loves to interact with students who are going through their education experience."It keeps me young and I really enjoy it," she said. Aiken-Wisnewski also said, "The things ", that I have learned, that have been , mosthelpful to my job, have come from stuclents.'?.v;.:!v:::!'!!:p : : Aiken-Wisnewski leaves behind many friendships in Arizona.' !!.'. "It was very difficult to leave., the University of Arizona, bat at the same time I've come here and I'm going to start the same relationships," she said.'''!-!';!;'!- Buy prepaid phone cards on the web! Visit www.fonxardi.com or call &00-400-3520 for iahl mm. Donation from frontpage to attend WSU in the fall to major in construction management. These students will be part of the anticipated 30 to 40 new students in the program this fall and the 150 students Amos hopes to see four years from now. A big turnout is expected because WSU's construction management program is one of less than 50 in the entire nation and six in the intermoun-tain region. WSU's program will be an essential one because construction companies need employees with college educations, said Dane Graham, development director at WSU. "The industry needs qualified employees with both construction and interpersonal skills," Graham said. By developing these interpersonal skills through the program, students will be just a few credit hours short of a business minor from the John B. Goddard School of Business. Donations will go toward faculty development, student scholarships and a computer lab withstate-of-the-art construction management software, which will foster the growth of the program. "It will help us build a foundation with equipment, supplies and scholarships," Graham said. "It is a key part in the financial foundation of the program." Students in the program will have a chance to get a piece of the pie as well through scholarship money from the Kem C. and Carolyn B. Gardner scholarship fund. Amos has already awarded five scholarships worth a total of $8,000 to students planning to enter the program in the fall. It is just another way to build the program, which Amos hopes will directly affect the students who study construction management. "The four-year program will bring about a change in the students," Amos said. "It will take a blue collar two year program and transform it into a more white collar professional degree."Faculty development is one of the keys to this growth that the donations will facilitate. "One of the biggest fears as a (9) mm "The industry needs qualified employees with both construction and interpersonal skills." Dane Graham, deveiopment director teacher is that you will teach what you know and-fail to maintain currency," Amos said. "This money will make it possible for our faculty to attend workshops on using the latest construction management software, materials, codes and regulations." With increased student enrollment and faculty improvement, Amos hopes eventually to have three full-time instructors and two adjuncts for the program. Already, student recruitment and fundraising to establish aself-sustaining program has given Amos plenty to do. "The four-year program will place even bigger demands on me," Amos said. Yet he is trying to make the program less demanding on students by catering to students already employed in the industry by offering the courses at night. "It will give more traditional students a chance to rub shoulders with those already in the industry," Amos said. The university will also offer a construction management minor in addition to the two and four-year programs.This is just an effort to bring more people into the program, Amos said. "We offer a hands-on program tied directly to a visible career," he said. "We have taken those just floating around without a major who have been simply delighted to find the program." The donors who have made possible the development of the four-year program are equally delighted, Wadman said. "Our donations will come back to help us in the end." A GREAT DINING EXPERIENCE FOR 20 YEARS! 0. f |
