Academic advisors are the first point of contact for students newly enrolled at Georgia Tech. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain a relationship with their advisor and, for many, that relationship is crucial to their experience and success, at the Institute and beyond. Uniquely this year, four of the six members of the Executive Board that steers the Georgia Tech Academic Advisors Network (GTAAN) are from the Ivan Allen College. These leaders will be core contributors to the Institute's new strategic planning process.

"It's a new era under President Peterson's leadership and strategic planning initiative," says Stephanie Jackson, academic advisor for the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and President of the GTAAN Executive Board. "I think that the College's strong presence on GTAAN's executive board can help ensure that the planning dialogue around student programs encompasses the needs of students in all of Georgia Tech's colleges "" Liberal Arts, Management, and Architecture, as well as the technical Colleges."

GTAAN began in 2002 as a professional resource serving Georgia Tech undergraduate advisors. Today, the network includes graduate advisors and representatives from most of the units that influence virtually every aspect of students' experience on campus from the Registrar's Office to the Dean of Students Office, the Honors Program, Auxiliary Services, and many more. GTAAN compiles data that is a basis for program decisions. It has also become influential in Georgia Tech's approach to advising.

"We encourage a developmental approach to advising," says Jackson. "Our goal is to extend the dialog with students beyond course scheduling to encompass their life and work goals. Advisors can then make students aware of course work, extracurricular activities, internships, research, scholarships "" the rich resources available to them through Georgia Tech. We also offer perspective so students can make decisions that best advance their objectives. Students and parents can experience a lot of stress. Through GTAAN, we help them find solutions to everything from housing to healthcare. "

The other members of this year's GTAAN Executive Board are Dana Hartley, School of Earth and Atmospheric Science "" Liaison to the Provost; Vince Pedicino, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs "" Vice President of Assessment; Amy D'Unger, School of History, Technology, and Society "" Vice President of Communications; Paul Fincannon, Department of Biomedical Engineering "" Vice President of Programs; and JC Reilly, School of Literature, Communication, and Culture "" Vice President of Records.