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.
Sonja Burk
Sonja Burk is a student success advisor in Herbert College of Agriculture’s Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences. She advises students majoring in biosystems engineering, construction science, and environmental and soil sciences, bringing over 20 years of advising experience from all four US time zones. Burk earned a BS from Texas A&M University and an MEd from Colorado State 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?
“Being a Volunteer means tradition, excellence and pride. As an advisor, I am so proud to say, ‘Welcome to Rocky Top. You will have four memorable years here that will shape your life and challenge you more than you can imagine. Enjoy all that the University of Tennessee has to offer and know that I’m here to help.’ I am one of the few people that have the privilege to say this to new students. It’s exciting and rewarding.”
Kimberly Sheldon
Kimberly Sheldon is an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She studies the processes leading to the distribution and abundance of animals and applies that knowledge to predict the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity. Sheldon completed her BS at the University of Michigan and her PhD at the University of Washington before completing a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship in biology. She joined the UT faculty in 2016.
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 contributing to a university culture that enriches the lives of others through innovation, engagement, inclusion, and service. UT has empowered my advising by supporting my mentoring activities and by placing a high value on leadership and service that benefit the broader community. I feel fortunate to be a member of this great university and to work alongside and learn from talented and inspiring fellow Vols on our vibrant campus.”
Emilie Wise
Emilie Wise has worked with the College of Arts and Sciences as an academic advisor since 2015. She began as a graduate teaching assistant in 2015 and became a full-time professional academic advisor in 2017. She has worked with the Department of Sociology, which includes both sociology and global studies majors, since 2017. Wise earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in global studies and foreign languages: French from Middle Tennessee State University, and her Master of Science degree in college student personnel from UT.
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?
“The Torchbearer’s Creed says ‘One that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others.’ To me, that is what it means to be a Volunteer. To give help, kindness, and support to your community to maintain and increase the well-being of that community. Academic advisors completely embody this philosophy. We provide unceasing support to the UT student population, and we do it because we care—not for prestige or recognition. It is difficult, necessary, and fulfilling work.”
Xiaohua “Awa” Zhu
Xiaohua “Awa” Zhu is an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences, College of Communication and Information. She joined UT in 2012 after receiving her PhD from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research focuses on digital rights, misinformation policy and governance, open government data, and academic libraries. She teaches courses on information organization, information architecture, digital libraries, and government information.
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, to me, means touching students’ lives and contributing to our community with my passion and knowledge. I feel empowered to be a dedicated and engaging instructor and advisor because UT prioritizes students’ needs for learning, research, growth, and continuous development, and because UT serves as an anchor institution of the local community.”