BY REBECCA KENDALL
Linda Allen's office is a busy one. As a program counsellor for the bachelor of science and bachelor of computing degree programs, Allen is a problem solver, a familiar role for this U of G mathematics graduate. She's been helping students solve their problems by providing academic advice since 1998, and clearly she's been doing it well. This month, she was named the 2005 recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising Medallion.
She will be presented with the gold medallion, designed by Ian Smith of the CBS dean's office, and a certificate in September. This is the second year for the award, which was created by the Council on Undergraduate Academic Advising.
Allen says she feels honoured to be recognized for her work, but she's the first to admit it's a job she doesn't do alone. “I depend very much on my colleagues. I share this award with them.”
She says she particularly appreciates the guidance and support she's received over the years from Prof. Fred Ramprashad, associate dean of the B.Sc. program, who has advised students for more than 37 years.
“Fred has truly been my mentor. I have been fortunate to see first-hand the qualities needed to do this job well, including — most importantly — compassion.”
Allen believes she brings a unique perspective to the table after being both a student at Guelph — she earned a B.Sc. and M.Sc. — and an instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. As a result, she understands the concerns students have about achieving their goals and the expectations professors have of their students, making her role as program counsellor a good fit, she says.
Students come to Allen seeking advice about a variety of academic situations, including course selection, dropping courses, declaring a minor and switching to a new major — sometimes more than once.
“Most students find their niche, although some take longer than others,” she says. “Our B.Sc. program is flexible enough that students can postpone that decision until second year and still finish in four years.”
She notes that many students deliberately take more than four years to graduate by reducing their course load so they can hold down a job or because they want to do better in their classes and enjoy them.
Allen says it's important for students to know there's someone they can talk to and a place where they can get the information they need to make sound decisions. With so many online resources like the undergraduate calendar, WebAdvisor, counselling office websites and the undergraduate academic information website, lots of information is readily available, but sometimes students need more, she says.
“Sometimes a student needs to talk to someone just to make things clear or to be reassured. I never mind doing that because I'd rather have students come to me in good time than be denied graduation because they don't have either enough courses or the right courses. I think that's every student's nightmare.”
Allen's approachability and willingness to listen earned her top marks from the students who nominated her for the academic advising award.
“She is always willing to make time and genuinely wants to listen to anything I bring to her office, whether academic or personal, and not just because it is in the capacity of her job,” wrote one student.
Said another: “She makes an effort to build a connection with all students who come for advice, and that connection is unique for each and every student.”
Allen says she received some good advice early on from now-retired physics professor Bob Winkel, a program counsellor for more than 30 years. On a return visit to the University, he appeared at her door unannounced one day and told her that, in this role, she had the opportunity to smooth the way.
“I've really come to appreciate that statement,” she says. “It's not that you can solve every problem for every student, and sometimes you have to give them news they don't necessarily want to hear, but what you can do is help them accept that and let them know what their options are.”
Allen says she has met many “amazing” students over the years and has a real sense of fulfilment in her job. “I feel like I'm making a difference in students' lives — one person at a time. That's something we can all do.”
