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Allicia Bolen, the College's 2022-23 Adviser of the Year, was surprised to learn she had garnered such an honor, but innovative accomplishments clearly set her apart in the world of academic advising.
An adviser at UF for six years, Bolen said she thinks her work with special populations of students and her willingness to step in where needed may have led to the award. She’s proud of the work she’s done for the Innovation Academy, a spring/summer program developed to equip students with the 21st-century skills needed to thrive.
“I volunteered to teach a special section of MMC 1009 (Introduction to Media & Communications) because I thought they would benefit from having a special section of the Innovation Academy for the college. They have to operate in a different fashion, but our college still treats them the same as any other student. Because I worked for the academy, I’m more familiar with their curriculum, with the student mindset. They are a very unique population.”
Bolen, who earned a B.A. in History from UF in 2012, also works with Promise Scholars, first-generation students and those from underrepresented populations.
“They need extra support in navigating and transitioning to college to make sure they are successful,” she said. “They may not have a parent or sibling who can tell them: Don’t take all these crazy classes at once, calm down. I make sure they understand that everyone at the university is an ally.”