As part of the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE)’s strategic alignment planning process, Academic Success and Advising (ASA) conducted an alignment review across the past six months. This review examined relevant practices in advising and academic support at other R1 universities and analyzed input from internal and external stakeholders, engaging all ASA staff. As a result, ASA has identified opportunities to align important student success functions in order to amplify their impact on student success and Institute priorities.  

Led by Executive Director Lorett Swank, ASA’s structure includes Academic Success, Retention and Completion Initiatives, First-Generation Student Initiatives, Specialized Advising, and Advising Operations and Engagement. 

Nicole Leonard Transitions to Assistant Director of Exploratory Advising

As a result of this review, we are pleased to announce that Nicole Leonard is transitioning to the Assistant Director for Exploratory Advising, which is fully integrated into the Specialized Advising team, led by Director Shannon Dobranski. Nicole oversees an exploratory advising team that identifies and advises undergraduate students who are considering a change of major or who are seeking minors, certificates, or experiential learning opportunities. Nicole joined Georgia Tech in the Honors Program after its founding in 2006, becoming an Academic Advisor and then Advising & Outreach Manager before joining ASA as Assistant Director of Advising and Coaching. Nicole brings 15 years of advising experience to her role. She has been a member of the Georgia Tech Academic Advisor Network (GTAAN) since 2008, serving as Vice President of Programming from 2012-14, and a member of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) since 2009. She has participated in the Georgia Tech ASPIRE program, Center for Deliberate Innovation Change Accelerator, Inclusive Leaders Academy, and was a Women of Georgia Tech Employee Resource Group L.O.V.E (Living Our Values Every Day) Nominee. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Clayton State University and Certification as a Co-Active Coach. 

Shannon Dobranski Takes on Additional Appointment as Deputy Director of ASA

In addition to her role directing the Specialized Advising team, Shannon Dobranski will also take on an additional appointment as Deputy Director of Academic Success and Advising. In this capacity, Shannon will work closely with Executive Director Lorett Swank on all aspects of ASA’s operations and programs. Shannon has been an educator at Georgia Tech since 1996. After serving as a Brittain Fellow in Georgia Tech’s School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Shannon took on the role of Undergraduate Coordinator for that school and was subsequently promoted to Associate Director of Undergraduate studies. Since 2013, Shannon has worked in Georgia Tech’s Office of Undergraduate Education, where she has served as the Director of the Center for Academic Success, the Director of Pre-Graduate and Pre-Professional Advising, the Faculty Director of the First-Year Semester Abroad program in Oxford, Deputy Director of Academic Success and Advising, and Director of Specialized Advising. She is a member of several professional organizations, including NACADA, PLANC, NAFA, and NAAHP. Shannon earned her Ph.D. in English literature at the University of Texas in her hometown of Austin.  

Finally, a new Undergraduate Advising Operations and Engagement team has been created to support cross-campus undergraduate advising projects. The director for this team will strategically implement Georgia Tech’s new advising software tool, EAB Navigate360, as well as ensure best practices, collaboration, and cooperation within our “unique and united” campus advising community. 

We invite the partnership and collaboration of our campus community as ASA continues the work of meeting the evolving needs of Georgia Tech undergraduates and supporting OUE’s and the Institute’s strategic priorities.