The Georgia Tech Academic Advisors Network (GTAAN) Summer Symposium is an opportunity for Georgia Tech advisors and student service professionals to spend a day on professional development and networking. On even numbered years, GTAAN convene in June to focus on a specific topic of special interest to Georgia Tech. This symposium is a great opportunity to share advising expertise, learn and grow as professional advisors, and mentor new advisors.
This year's symposium, held on June 4 in the GTRI Conference Center, focused on “Taking Care of Business: Centering Your Practice” and featured keynote speaker Charlie Nutt, Executive Director of NACADA. In addition to the keynote address, the Symposium includde an advising roundtable, advisor panel, an interactive workshop that helped advisors write their professional advising philosophy, and a networking lunch.
About the keynote speaker, Dr. Charlie Nutt
Charlie L. Nutt, A.A. B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D. a NACADA member since 1991, joined Kansas State University and the NACADA Executive Office in 2002 as Associate Director and Assistant Professor in the College of Education.
Charlie earned his Associate Degree in English from Coastal Georgia Community College (formerly Brunswick College), Bachelors in English Education from the University of Georgia, Masters in Administration and Supervision from Georgia Southern University, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from Georgia Southern University.
Charlie has taught both at the secondary and post-secondary levels since 1977. He taught English in grades 9-12 as well as at the community college. At Coastal Georgia Community College, he was Assistant Professor of English before being appointed Director of Orientation and Advising. He next served as Vice President for Student Development Services from 1993 until he moved to the NACADA Executive Office.
Charlie served in various leadership roles in the Association before coming to work full-time for Executive Office. These roles include Region IV Representative, Two-Year College Commission Chair, 2000 National Conference Chair, Chair of Re-organization Implementation Committee, Chair of Task Force on Faculty Advising, and President-Elect. In addition, he has served on the faculty of the NACADA Summer Institute, Academic Advising Administrators' Institute, and Assessment of Advising Institute.
As Executive Director of NACADA, Charlie is responsible for coordinating the work of the Executive Office staff as well as working with the various NACADA units on professional development issues and external relations for the Association.
This year GTAAN explored what makes a great advisor: what philosophies guide their work with students, different styles and techniques advisors can add to their advising toolboxes, and how advisors might grow as professionals?
A special thanks to the Summer Symposium Committee 2018 for planning and hosting the conference:
- Laura Dawson
- Shawn Dommer
- Adrienne Hillman
- Shanta Hutchins
- Robert McCloud
- Leslie Ross
- Julia Smith
- Beth Spencer
- Enid Steinbart