Abstract
How do we include parents to the UC system? The Undecided/Undeclared Advising Program at UC, Irvine has developed the U/U Select Program for first generation students. This program is designed to include Spanish speaking parents to the university from day one. In order to provide parents with the necessary tools to support their students, Spanish speaking parents are included from the university selection recruitment process in the Spring through the entirety of the first year at UCI. This session will not only give an overview of how the U/U Select Program at UCI supports parents in the transition to UCI and provides first generation students with the academic tools to succeed in the fall quarter but will include a round table discussion on how campuses throughout the UC system are supporting this rapidly growing population.
Speaker Biography
Gisela Verduzco
Gisela has worked in higher education for over fifteen years and is currently working as an academic counselor for the Division of Undergraduate Education at the University of California, Irvine. Gisela earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine and holds a Master’s Degree from California State University, Long Beach in Counseling with a specialization in Student Development in Higher Education. In her current role as an academic counselor, she works with Undecided/Undeclared students and develops programs for First Generation college students.
Briitany Betancourt
Brittany works as an academic advisor and a senior lecturer for the Division of Undergraduate Education at the University of California, Irvine in addition to pursing a Master’s degree in Counseling with a specialization in Student Development in Higher Education at California State University, Long Beach. She coordinates a freshman experience course, University Studies 1, which introduces students to campus policies, majors and minors, and life skills necessary for citizenship in a diverse community.
Norma Arevalo
Norma has worked with Undecided/Undeclared Students at the University of California, Irvine for over 19 years. She is the Assistant Director and an academic counselor for the Undecided/Undeclared Advising Office. In her role, she advises students in the following special populations: Athletes, First Generation college students and assist students who are experiencing academic difficulty.
