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Dear ATA Scholars,
Last week it was announced that UHD would be canceling classes this week and that classes would resume online only beginning Monday, March 23rd. As UHD watches what happens with this newest coronavirus (COVID-19), we want you to know that ATA is here to support you. If you have questions, concerns, or are struggling with the changes happening at school or at home, please be in touch with either your Academic Success Coach or any of the ATA staff! The worst thing you can do is to stay silent when you need help.
I know many of you have questions about how we will handle ATA requirements, book vouchers and scholarships. We are actively working to come up with alternative plans for each of these things. Please stay patient with us as we navigate this new reality with you all.
I am able to share a few updates with you about our program now. There will be more updates to come as we learn new information and are able to solidify new plans.
ATA 3099
ATA 3099 will be moved to an online format. Each week, instructions will be posted on Monday at 9 AM about that week’s workshop. The workshop will include some sort of interactive activity that will count as your “attendance” for that week. The workshop can be completed on your own time and will be due by the following Sunday at 11:59 PM. During your regular ATA 3099 class time, your instructor will be available via a Zoom link (to be sent separately), where you can drop in and discuss that week’s topic or any other questions you may have. We hope this will also be a good time for students to connect with each other and have lively discussions with one another.
Career Learning Communities
In-person CLC activities that are typically held in the ATA lounge have been postponed for the foreseeable future. When we are able to make more concrete plans about in-person CLCs, we will share the new dates with you. HOWEVER, there are several options that you have to complete your requirements.
Option #1: There are currently three videos posted to the ATA webpage that showcase past CLCs from this semester. You can go back and watch these.
Option #2: Ashley is currently compiling relevant videos for each of the CLCs. You may view these (more specific instructions for each video will be included).
Option #3: We are working on coordinating with our professional partners to determine if a live Zoom session with them and students might be feasible. We know that being able to talk to professionals in your intended career field and get direct feedback from them is valuable to you.
In the past, ATA students were only able to do one CLC virtually. However, given the current circumstances, students may complete all of the CLC opportunities online for the remainder of the semester.
Students will still need to complete the CLC Reflection form in order to receive credit. You can access the reflection form here.
Career Readiness Events
Due to current circumstances, students are discouraged from attending any events for the remainder of the semester for ATA. This means that we will be forced to waive this requirement for the ATA program this semester.
Experiential Learning
If you have not yet completed this portion of your ATA requirements, please do not stress. We know that it is currently difficult to make plans far into the future. We are diligently working on ways that we can help students obtain this experience without risking your health or the health of others. Stay tuned.
Academic Success Coaching
Your Academic Success Coaches (Andrew and Kelsey) are still fully available to you. For the time being, all meetings will be held by either Zoom or via phone.
To schedule a meeting with Kelsey, click here.
To schedule a meeting with Andrew, click here.
Additionally, your success coach will be reaching out to each of our students individually to check-in with you, ensure that you have all of the resources available, and answer questions you might have. When they call, please answer (or call them back)!
University Messages
I would like to pause to remind you that it is critical at this time that you stay on top of your GatorMail, messages in Blackboard and any communication from your faculty members. As everyone attempts to get ready for online classes to begin next week, information is constantly changing. It will be your responsibility to keep up with those changes as they are shared with you. We are here to help you do this as successfully as possible.
ATA Staff Availability
Finally, like you, we are balancing working at keeping the university operating at full force while also ensuring that we maintain our own health. With that said, ATA staff are all working normal business hours Monday – Friday 8AM – 5PM. HOWEVER, only one staff member will physically be at UHD on any given day until April 4th. Everyone else will be working remotely from their home offices. This means that the best way to reach us is by phone or email. To help you reach us by phone when we are not in our offices, we have each set up Google Voice numbers so that you can still talk to us (these are also the numbers we will call you from when we are out of office). Note the new phone numbers below.
- Krysti Turnquest 832-857-0676
- Ashley Rosebrough 832-857-0694
- Erica Skinner 832-534-2212
- Kelsey Ludeman 832-910-9583
- Andrew Kotchavar 832-598-8583
We know these are uncertain times and we are here to help you navigate them. Please know that we consider ATA a family and as such, care deeply for each of you. If you have any needs that we can help you with, please reach out to us.
We’re looking forward to the day we can be together in person again!
Wishing you the best,
Krysti Turnquest, Director
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