By Lenore Devore, B.S. Journalism, 1984

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) Academic Adviser of the Year Nicki Dankers has spent the last two years adapting – and helping students adapt. Since COVID-19 changed the way advisers interact with students, she had to learn new ways to provide the same service – and more. She turned to Zoom to assist students and welcome new ones as CJC’s representative at UF’s orientation.

“Zoom allowed me to still connect with students,” Dankers said. “Even though we weren’t face to face, we could still see each other on the computer screens. Especially for students who were struggling, it was helpful to me because I could get a visual check on how they were doing. So much of conversation is facial expression and body language, so it helped me monitor their progress in that way.”

She still meets with a few students monthly to check up on them and reassure them someone is looking after them. That’s along with monitoring the academic progress of students, ensuring they are on track for a timely graduation and quickly handling any bumps along the way, she said.

Dankers received a B.A. degree in classical studies at UF before getting an online master’s degree in library and information studies from Florida State University. She wanted to work in an academic library, but life had different plans in what she calls a “happy accident.”

She worked in UF’s registrar’s office for six years and enjoyed seeing students there, but that job was mostly paperwork. “I wanted to work more with students.”

So she accepted her first advising job – at CJC. Now, she cannot imagine doing anything else. “Being able to connect with students, to hear their triumphs – they are so creative.”

She tries to find a connection with students and bases her advice on that, she said. She reminds them to take care of themselves. “If something is not working, you have to figure out what that is and try something different. A lot of times it’s not being able to pass a class. Next time they say they will study more. But what does that mean? I like to ask probing questions, so they come up with a plan and then they are more invested.”

 Most students are adjusting after two years of isolation.

“It was really hard on them when it first started. School is a very social activity,” Dankers said. “A lot of students tried to connect online and stay in touch through student organizations. Now that things are opening up, some are relieved to meet up with other students and have that face-to-face contact. The ones who are still kind of isolated are mostly ones who had to move home to take care of family members who were affected during the pandemic or had long-term effects themselves.”

Many students had difficulty with online courses, some of which just involved watching videos, with no interactions. Others had to learn time-management skills. When possible, she connected students with mental health services or urged them to talk with their professors for understanding.

“With online classes, they had to be responsible for signing on, attending class. No one was looking over their shoulders. They struggled at the beginning, but it’s going well now. They are taking responsibility for organizing what’s due when,” and have improved their time management and life skills, she said.

At the beginning of the pandemic, CJC hosted several virtual town halls to give students a chance to air their concerns and have someone there to listen and understand. “I thought they were very useful, not only for students to be heard but for those of us on the staff and faculty side to know what they were going through.”

One thing hasn’t changed, she said. “Graduation is suddenly here and they don’t feel prepared to take the next step, and they don’t know what the next steps are or what they want to do. I try to help them identify what they want. Are you thinking about grad school or a job? If you’re not feeling prepared enough to get a job, grad school might be the place to get comfortable with that.”

In addition to advising, Dankers also coordinated preview day for incoming freshmen and junior transfers. Her biggest challenge: “Trying to figure out how we were going to keep the attention of students virtually.”

She thinks that paved the way for winning the Staff Member of the Year honor. “In the past, that’s always been face to face, where we can sit down and interact with them.” It was quite a challenge to revamp to accommodate a virtual event, she said, but with the help of colleagues, they made it happen.

She also won a Superior Accomplishment Award for Division 3 and now will move on to the university-wide competition. The annual UF program recognizes staff and faculty members who contribute outstanding service to provide a better experience for students and employees.

COVID-19 has changed her personal life a bit as well. She had three cats; now she also has three chickens – “a pandemic idea,” she said. She loves gardening and is working on turning her backyard into a “very tiny farm.”

Posted: March 31, 2022
Category: College News, Profiles
Tagged as: Academic Advising, Nicki Dankers