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2022 Excellence in Advising

Excellence in Advising is bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding work in advising.

Robin Anderson

Robin Anderson smiling at the camera while standing outsideRobin Anderson has worked as an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Programs Office in the Haslam College of Business since 2017. Robin grew up in Atlanta and has lived in the beautiful state of Tennessee for almost 20 years. She enjoys spending time with her son, Charlie, their new cat, and going on fun adventures with friends near and far when time allows. Robin has a master’s degree in human development counseling from Vanderbilt University and a BA in psychology from Yale University.

What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?

As a Volunteer, I feel a connection to other Volunteers who have also made UT their home, for however short or long. UT is a place that allows me to experience joy daily in my work with students, helping them to craft plans for their college journey so they can graduate and make their unique mark on the world. UT provides a high level of support for advisors. The university has inspired and empowered me to hone my skills in order to have a positive impact on my students and colleagues.


Amber Rayborn

Amber Rayborn smiling at the countryAmber Rayborn is advising coordinator for the Department of Animal Science in the Herbert College of Agriculture. Prior to joining the Vol community in August 2017, Amber worked as an advisor for both The University of Alabama and the University of Georgia and taught college success at Pellissippi State. A native of northeast Alabama, Amber is proud to be the first person in her family to graduate from high school.

What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?

My goal for working with students has always been to provide the resources, guidance, support, and well-placed tough love that students need to be successful in college, career, and life. I am thankful to have found a college and department that value my work and allow me the autonomy to apply advising and student success practices in new and innovative ways.


Qi Sun

Qi Sun smiling at the cameraQi Sun is an associate professor and coordinator of the Adult Learning PhD program in the Educational Psychology and Counseling Department. Qi brings her training in adult education and Eastern and Western perspectives into doctoral advising and mentoring efforts. She takes time to learn about and understand students’ backgrounds, prior learning experiences, and goals. She holistically views their strengths and facilitates individualized needs toward academic excellence and success.

What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?

Being a Volunteer means we are given opportunities to connect with others toward a common, meaningful goal. We learn about communities, organizations, fields, and ourselves by volunteering. A Volunteer develops new skills, discovers new passions, and gains new insights into the world around us. Through volunteering, UT provides a healthy boost to a sense of accomplishment and proud identity. It empowers me to bring what I can offer and learn from others who support my growth to serve UT more effectively.


Raja Swamy

Raja Swamy smiling at the cameraRaja Swamy is a cultural anthropologist who studies the impacts of disasters and the politics of recovery. His work critically examines social and historical conflicts over resources, labor, land and rights often subsumed under the rubric of reconstruction and recovery. He has conducted research and published scholarly works on disaster affected communities in India and the United States. His book titled Building Back Better in India explores the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in South India.

What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?

Being a Volunteer means drawing upon and imbibing the inspiring examples of so many great scholars and citizens of Tennessee who made this community a fertile ground for socially transformative action and academic excellence. UT is unique in that it provides and nurtures a supportive, nurturing, and encouraging space for scholars and students, a creative space where teaching and research are encouraged and held in high esteem.