Advisor of the Year 2001-2002
Name: Martha B. McDonald
Department: Materials Science & Engineering
College: Engineering
Rank: Academic Coordinator
Years at UF: 6
Highest Degree: BA, Classical Studies, May 1997
Martha McDonald has personally recruited and advised every undergraduate in MSE since 1996. She never passes up an opportunity from COE or UF to speak with students about career paths and employment opportunities in MSE. Since fall 1999 MSE has grown from 156 to 194 undergraduates due to her open-door policy on advisement.
Martha has strongly encouraged peer tutoring and mentoring to increase retention in a rigorous undergrad program. She hosts numerous social functions annually to introduce students to one another. Martha is particularly proud of the dramatic increase in the number of MSE females from 61 to 132 (undergrad & grad) since 1997.
There is a direct correlation between student success in securing scholarships, fellowships, co-ops, internships, and jobs and the knowledge gained about them during time spent in academic advising. This enables Martha to write effective letters of recommendation for students without looking at a file or resume.
